Diesel prices strain NoVa bus budgets

As diesel prices climb, transit agencies are paying more just to keep buses on the road. Northern Virginia bus operators have seen the average bulk diesel price nearly double in the past year, from $2.50 per gallon in 2025 to the current $4.82 per gallon.

Because fuel is a major operating expense, higher costs mean less room in already tight budgets. Agencies will need additional operating funding to avoid cuts and maintain the existing bus service that Northern Virginians rely on.