TYSONS – Fairfax County held a ribbon cutting event today, Sept. 19, 2024, to officially kick off the new Fairfax Connector Express Route 798 bus service. Elected officials, project partners and stakeholders gathered to celebrate this multijurisdictional transportation milestone.
On Sept. 16, 2024, the Fairfax Connector launched its first ever Express Route 798 to Bethesda.
Route 798 provides regional connectivity between Tysons West*Park and Tysons Metrorail Station in Virginia, and Bethesda, Maryland. This new connection serves major employment centers such as the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Walter Reed National Military Medical Center and Downtown Bethesda. In addition, Route 798 aims to facilitate access to key destinations, including shopping and business hubs, and residential communities on both sides of the American Legion Bridge.
Fairfax County Chairman Jeffrey McKay expressed his enthusiasm for the new route, stating: "Route 798 represents a critical step forward in expanding regional transit options for Fairfax County residents. This new connection between Virginia and Maryland will not only provide an easier commute but also support our long-term goals of reducing congestion and promoting sustainable transportation options. We are proud to be part of a solution that enhances mobility across the region and strengthens the connection between our states."
Supervisor Dalia Palchik, representing the Providence District, highlighted the local benefits: "The launch of Route 798 – Tysons to Bethesda – not only makes commuting faster and easier for our residents, but also supports our vision of a greener, more connected future. By offering public transportation options that reduce the number of vehicles on the road, we are making progress toward both our sustainability goals and improving the quality of life for our community."
Supervisor James Bierman, serving the Dranesville District, added: “I’m excited for the launch of Route 798 which will provide another rush hour transit option between Bethesda and Tysons and meet a need that was expressed through a community engagement process. I look forward to continued Fairfax County efforts to find smart transit solutions that are responsive to the community and build great connections that have the potential of making the lives of our residents a little easier while also opening up employment opportunities.”
This service is especially important during the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) construction of extended 495 Express Lanes. Substantial completion of the Express Lanes expansion is estimated for December 2025.
"The new Route 798 Express Bus service is part of VDOT and its partners' efforts to invest in transportation solutions that deliver transit and multimodal options benefitting travelers across the region,” commented Michelle Shropshire, director of Virginia Department of Transportation Megaprojects. “Funding support by VDOT and its 495 NEXT project partner has enabled this new bi-state bus service to become a reality. It provides a travel alternative now, while crews continue building the 495 Express Lanes Northern Extension, as well as a faster and more reliable travel option once the new lanes open in late 2025."
Background
Route 798 connecting Tysons to Bethesda was introduced following a recommendation from the I-495/American Legion Bridge Transit/Transportation Demand Management (TDM) Study. This report, completed in March 2021, was a collaborative effort between the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT) and the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT), Maryland Transit Administration (MTA), with contributions from local jurisdictions, transit agencies and stakeholders.
The study aimed to explore various current and future multimodal solutions to alleviate congestion, enhance trip reliability, regional connections, and improve both existing and planned general mobility across the American Legion Bridge. The findings indicated that while there are numerous local bus services within each jurisdiction, there was no existing service bridging Virginia and Maryland across the American Legion Bridge.
Regional Partnerships
The Commonwealth of Virginia, along with its 495 Express Lanes Northern Extension (495 NEXT) project partner and 495 Express Lanes operator, Transurban, has allocated funding for the new Express Route 798 Bus service. This funding support includes $5.2 million from the Commonwealth for purchase of the initial fleet of six buses, $2 million for the first year of operation from VDOT’s 495 NEXT project Transportation Management Plan, and annual funding of $2.2 million from Transurban’s 495 Express Lanes toll revenue for bus operations.
“Transportation services and infrastructure cannot simply stop at state lines. To continuously improve mobility, Transurban is proud to work together with our partners throughout the National Capital Region to keep people moving,” said Beau Memory, president, Transurban North America. “Route 798 represents even further connectivity with our neighbors in Maryland, creating the only transit route in the region to link major employment and activity centers across state lines between Tysons and Bethesda.”
According to Zach Trogdon, acting director of DRPT: "The launch of Fairfax Connector Route 798 is a significant step forward in enhancing connectivity for Northern Virginia commuters with Maryland. This new express service provides a critical link between Tysons and Bethesda, and key destinations like the NIH and Walter Reed Military Hospital, making commuting more efficient and sustainable. The Commonwealth is proud to support this project by providing essential and reliable funding to improve mobility and reduce traffic congestion in the region. We look forward to continuing our partnership with Fairfax County to deliver innovative transit solutions that connect and improve the quality of life for our residents”.
“The new Route 798 Express Bus highlights the importance of regional partnerships to advance projects that will have a significant impact on the communities we serve,” said Montgomery County Department of Transportation Director Chris Conklin. “The express bus service will provide a valuable new option for the thousands of workers who travel across the American Legion Bridge every day and provides new access to jobs by connecting major employment and residential centers for people who cannot drive.”
