Hudgins Asks Board For $2.2M For Reston Buses

Hunter Mill Supervisor Cathy Hudgins is asking fellow supervisors to consider allocating an additional $2.2 million for Fairfax Connector bus service that will help alleviate traffic after the Silver Line opens at Wiehle Avenue in December.

Phase 1 of Metro's Silver Line is slated to begin service from Tysons Corner to Reston's Wiehle Avenue at the end of the year. Wiehle will be the end of the line for several years as Phase 2 - from Wiehle Avenue to Ashburn -will not be completed for at least five more years.

Add to that a 2,300-space parking garage at Wiehle - the only Phase 1 station with significant parking - and transportation-watchers are predicting problems.

Hudgins is among them.

"Fairfax County Connector has just concluded a series of public meetings," Hudgins said at last week's Board of Supervisors' meeting. "After attending four of seven meetings. I have heard participants comment repeatedly on the need to add relaible, mid-day, weekend and late-night service."

Hudgins added there is the need to "not just focus on moving commuters to and from Silver Line stations, but to also create viable alternative transportation methods for those in the community."

Some of the improvements Hudgins suggested: more frequent service, more bus stop shelters and pedestrian facilities.

"The change in transit philosophy will take a great deal more investment and planning," she said. "It is essential that every Reston resident have every opportunity to get out of the car and walk, bike or take bus service whenever possible to reduce congestion."

Hudgins said she wants to be prepared to respond to the needs of the community when the Fairfax Connector's analysis is complete. The supervisors agreed to consider adding the money.

Fairfax Connector recently held a series of public meetings for bus riders to offer feedback on changes to routes after the Silver Line opens.

Metro will also hold an open house on the Silver Line and bus changes Thursday at Reston Community Center Hunters Woods.

The Reston Citizens Association recently issued a lengthy report on suggested changes to Reston bus routes.

Read all of Reston Patch's Silver Line Coverage.

Do you think there is a need to improve bus service to get to Reston's Silver Line station? Tell us in the comments.