Commuters’ Favored Mode of Transit Differs by Jurisdiction

Preliminary analysis of transit data in support of NVTC’s Regional Bus Agenda underscores the importance of transit to Northern Virginia. It provides mobility and access to residents in and visitors to the region. The transit system provides comprehensive coverage across the region and throughout the day, but the vast majority of transit trips are taken by commuters getting to and from work.

Loudoun County has the highest percentage of transit trips that use only bus as the primary transit commuting mode. Loudoun County Transit operates morning and late-afternoon rush hour service from park-and-ride lots in Loudoun to Wiehle-Reston East Metrorail Station; Rosslyn; Crystal City; the Pentagon; and several locations in Washington, D.C.

Arlington County boasts the highest percentage of commuters using only Metrorail, while the City of Alexandria has the greatest percentage of commuters riding the bus to connect to Metrorail.

Nearly half of all commuting trips in the four jurisdictions involve a bus ride — with the lowest percentage (just over 40) in Arlington and the greatest percentage (just over 60) in Alexandria.