Transportation FAQ

• What are public transportation options (for people with and without disabilities) in the area?
  • Arlington County
  • Fairfax County
  • Loudoun County
  • City of Alexandria
  • City of Fairfax
  • Washington Metropolitan Area - WMATA
    
• I have difficulty riding regular public transportation because of my disability. Are there any local paratransit options available?
  • MetroAccess - WMATA
  • Arlington County
  • Fairfax County, Cities of Fairfax and Falls Church
  • Loudoun County
  • City of Alexandria
• Can I get any travel training for public transportation in the Northern Virginia area?

Updated March 2011

Q. What are public transportation options (for people with and without disabilities) in the area?

A. The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority serves much of ECNV’s service area and there are also some public transportation options that are individual to each locality. What follows are public options for everyone, for options specific to people with disabilities, see the next question.

Arlington County

Arlington Transit (ART)
www.commuterpage.com/art
P.O. Box 12176
Arlington, VA 22219
703-228-RIDE (7433, V/Relay)
Questions@CommuterPage.com

Arlington Commuter Stores
CommuterDirect@arlingtontransit.com

• Ballston
  Ballston Common Mall
  Suite 2232, 4238 Wilson Boulevard,
  Arlington, VA 22203
  703-528-3541 (V/Relay)
  703-522-4356 (Fax)

• Crystal City
  Crystal City Shops North
  1615-B Crystal Square Arcade,
  Arlington, VA 22202
  (Directly across from Hamburger Hamlet)
  703-413-4287 (V/Relay)
  703-413-4291 (Fax)

• Rosslyn
  Rosslyn Metro Center Mall, Level 2
  Suite 235, 1700 N. Moore Street,
  Arlington, VA 22209
  703-525-1995 (V/Relay)
  703-525-0060 (Fax)

• Shirlington
  2975 S. Quincy Street, Arlington, VA 22206
  (At the new Shirlington Bus Station, near the intersection of South Randolph Street and 31st Street South, next to I-395)
  703-820-4981 (V/Relay)
  703-820-4984 (Fax)

Fairfax County

Fairfax Connector
www.fairfaxcounty.gov/connector
703-339-7200 (V)
703-339-1608 (TTY)
fairfaxconnector@fairfaxcounty.gov

Fairfax Commuter Stores

• Herndon-Monroe Park & Ride
  12530 Sunrise Valley Drive, Herndon, VA 20171

• Reston East at Wiehle Avenue Park & Ride
  1860 Wiehle Avenue, Reston, VA 22090

• Reston Town Center Transit Station
  12051 Bluemont Way, Reston, VA 20190

• Springfield at Franconia-Springfield Metro Station
  6880 Frontier Drive, Springfield, VA 22150

• Tysons-West*Park Transit Station
  8300 Jones Branch Drive, McLean, VA 22102

Loudoun County

Transit and Commuter Services
1 Harrison Street, S.E.,
4th Floor
Mailstop #69
Leesburg, VA 20175
1-877-465-2287 (V/Relay)
rideshare@loudoun.gov

Virginia Regional Transit Association
109 N. Bailey Lane
Purcellville, VA  20132-3085
540-338-1610 (V/Relay)
877-777-2708 (Toll-free V/Relay)
540-338-0690 (Fax)

Virginia Regional Transit provides fixed route and demand response bus transportation. Scheduled fixed-route service is available in
Purcellville, Leesburg, Sterling/Countryside, Ashburn Village and Ashburn Farm. Bus service is also operated from Dulles Town Center. The 7 to 7 on 7 bus service operates in the Route 7 corridor from Purcellville to the Fairfax County line at Dranesville Road.

In those areas not served by fixed routes, Virginia Regional Transit provides Demand Response service throughout Loudoun County. This demand response service provides travel assistance from a resident’s home to locations in Loudoun for medical appointments, shopping and other basic needs destinations. Fares vary throughout the County based on the length of trip and users of this service are required to call 24-hours in advance to make reservations.

City of Alexandria

DASH
www.dashbus.com
116 South Quaker Lane
Alexandria, VA 22314
703-370-3274 (V/Relay)
703-370-3404 (Fax)
dashbus@alexandriava.gov

City of Fairfax

City of Fairfax CUE Bus
www.fairfaxva.gov/CUEBus/CUEBus.asp
703-385-7859 (V/Relay)
Transit Services
703-385-7992 (V/Relay)
Transportation@fairfaxva.gov

Washington Metropolitan Area

Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA)
www.wmata.com

600 5th Street, NW
Washington, DC 20001
202-637-7000 (V)
202-638-3780 (TTY)

WMATA Commuter Stores (note: only the VA locations are listed here but there are locations in MD and Washington, DC as well)

• The Commuter Store at Crystal City Underground Mall
  1615-B Crystal Square Arcade
  Arlington, VA 22202
  703-413-4287 (V/Relay).

• The Commuter Store at Ballston Common Mall
  Ballston Common Shopping Mall
  Arlington, VA 22203
  703-528-3541 (V/Relay)

• The Commuter Store at Rosslyn Center, Mall Level 2
  1700 N. Moore Street Mall Level 2, Suite 235
  Arlington, VA 22209
  703-525-1995 (V/Relay)

• Connector Store at Tysons-West Park Transit Station
  8300 Jones Branch Drive
  McLean, VA 22102
  703-339-7200 (V/Relay)

• Connector Store at Reston East Park & Ride
  1860 Wiehle Avenue
  Reston, VA 22090
  703-339-7200 (V/Relay)

• Connector Store at Herndon-Monroe Park & Ride
  12530 Sunrise Valley Drive
  Herndon, VA 20171
  703-339-7200 (V/Relay)

• Old Town Transit Shop
  1775-C Duke Street
  (on Diagonal Street)
  Alexandria, VA 22314
  703-299-6227 (V/Relay)

• Mobile Commuter Store
  Serving mostly Arlington locations
  Arlington, VA 22203
  703-599-5714 (V/Relay)

• Connector Store at Reston Town Center Transit Station
  12051 Bluemont Way
  Reston, VA 20190
  703-339-7200 (V/Relay)

• Connector Store at Franconia-Springfield Metro Station
  6880 Frontier Drive
  (located on the pedestrian bridge next to the Metrorail entrance)
  Springfield, VA 22150
  703-822-0626 (V)
  703-339-1608 (TTY)

• Shirlington Station Commuter Store
  2975 S. Quincy Street
  Arlington, VA 22206
  703-312-7052 (V/Relay)

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Q. I have difficulty riding regular public transportation because of my disability. Are there any local paratransit options available?

A.  Yes, there are several options. The eligibility requirements may vary among services so you may need to call to find out if you’re eligible.

MetroAccess
6505 Belcrest Road
Fifth Floor
Hyattsville, MD 20782
301-562-4640 (V)
301-588-7535 (TTY)
metroaccess@wmata.com

MetroAccess is a WMATA program offering door-to-door paratransit service. MetroAccess provides shared ride transportation from 5 am to midnight Monday through Thursday, 5 am to 3 am on Friday, 7 am to 3 am on Saturday, and 7 am to midnight on Sunday. MetroAccess serves Washington, D.C., Maryland (counties of Montgomery and Prince George’s), Virginia (counties of Arlington and Fairfax, cities of Alexandria, Fairfax and Falls Church).

To be eligible for MetroAccess service, you must have a disability as defined by the ADA and be unable, as a result of your disability, to utilize fixed-route transportation such as Metrobus and Metrorail, or need to use a ramp or wheelchair lift to board or exit a public transit vehicle, but an accessible public transit vehicle is not being used at the time, date, and on the route you would travel (all Metrobuses are wheelchair accessible) or be unable to travel to or from a bus stop or rail station due to a disability.

Reservations also can be made on the WMATA website (www.metroopensdoors.com) or by phone. MetroAccess offers an automated InstantAccess telephone system to confirm or cancel trips with as little as two hours’ notice without penalty.

WMATA also offers a reduced fare program for people with disabilities that lets people with disabilities who require accessibility features and services to use accessible public transportation but don’t qualify for MetroAccess to ride the regular bus and subway routes at a discounted fare.

The Metro Disability ID card is free. Applications are available from:

Metro Office of ADA Programs
600 Fifth Street, NW
Washington, D.C. 20001
202-962-1558 (V)
202-962-2033 (TTY)

Applications also may be obtained at most transit stores and regional libraries. Metro Disability ID cards are issued at Metro headquarters only.

Arlington County

Specialized Transit for Arlington Residents (STAR)
www.ArlingtonSTAR.com
Arlington County Department of Environmental Services
STAR Project Manager
2100 Clarendon Blvd., Suite 900
Arlington, VA 22201
703-892-TRIP (8747, V/Relay)
STAR@arlingtonstar.com
Overview – STAR is a shared ride paratransit service intended to provide a comparable level of transportation to those provided by ART, Metrobus and Metrorail.

Eligibility - Arlington County residents currently certified eligible for MetroAccess are automatically certified for STAR. There may be certain requirements for young children, please visit the website for more information.

Please note that MetroAccess serves residents of Arlington County as well.

Fairfax County, Cities of Fairfax and Falls Church

City Wheels (City of Fairfax)
703-385-7859 (V/Relay)
www.fairfaxva.gov/cueBus/RiderInformation.asp

City Wheels is a City of Fairfax program that provides alternative transportation within Fairfax City, to the Vienna/Fairfax-GMU Metrorail station, to George Mason University-Fairfax campus, and to Fair Oaks Hospital for city residents with disabilities who find it difficult or impossible to use conventional bus service.

Persons must apply for eligibility for City Wheels. Once accepted, participants receive a numbered identification card, forms to order and purchase coupons, and a list of transportation companies offering alternative services. Coupons are good for a one-way non-stop trip and can be ordered and paid for in advance. Riders call the taxicab company that can best serve their needs and use the coupons to pay for their trips. Taxicab trips are limited to the City of Fairfax, Vienna/Fairfax-GMU Metrorail station, George Mason University-Fairfax campus, and Fair Oaks Hospital.

FASTRAN
703-222-9764 ext. 2 (V)
703-324-7079 (TTY)
www.fairfaxcounty.gov/rec/Fastran/   

Fastran offers specialized transportation services for residents of Fairfax County and the Cities of Fairfax and Falls Church participating in human service agency programs. All Fastran riders must be certified by a participating agency before utilizing the service.

Fare Wheels (Serving the City of Falls Church )
703-248-5005 (V)
703-248-5194 (TTY)

Fare Wheels serves City of Falls Church residents and uses private taxicabs and lift-equipped vehicles to provide rides. Participants must be residents of the City of Falls Church, and at least 62 years of age, or have a disability. An application and proof of disability and income are required to become eligible for service. Once approved, the individual receives 2 coupon books, an identification card, and an order form. Riders receive a maximum of $35.00 in coupons per month.

TaxiAccess (Serving Fairfax County)
703-877-5800 (V/Relay)
www.fairfaxcounty.gov/fcdot/taxiaccess.htm

TaxiAccess is a program that provides subsidized taxicab service to Fairfax County residents who are registered with MetroAccess. TaxiAccess users have the opportunity to purchase coupon books good toward taxicab rides at one-third of the face value.
Participants can purchase up to eight coupon books per year and the coupons can be used with any of the four taxicab providers licensed to do business in Fairfax County.

• Fairfax Red Top Cab
  703-333-3333 (V)
  703-522-3331 (TTY)
• Fairfax White Top Cab
  703-644-4500 (V)
  703-683-4374 (TTY)
• Falls Church Yellow Cab
  703-534-1111 (V/Relay)
• Springfield Yellow Cab
  703-451-2255 (V/Relay)

The coupons can be used for the taxicab fare, companion fare, and the driver’s tip. Coupons may be combined with cash if needed; however, drivers cannot give change for coupons.

Please note that MetroAccess serves residents of Fairfax County, and the Cities of Fairfax and Falls Church as well.

Loudoun County

Advanced Senior Care Services, Inc.
advancedseniorcare.com
1420 Springhill Rd., Suite 600
McLean, VA 22102
703-749-1782 (V/Relay)
800-893-2996 (Toll free V/Relay)
703-723-8401 (Fax)
info@AdvancedSeniorCare.com 

B & M Transport, Inc.
7435 Little River Tnpk.
Annandale, VA 22003-2906
703-642-2364 (V/Relay)

BOSS Transport and Family Services  
www.bosstands.com
7217 Jayhawk Street
Annandale, VA 22003
703-256-6166 (V/Relay)
703-256-6166 (Fax)
bosstransport@cox.net

Buckley's for Seniors   
www.buckleys4seniors.com
703-390-0535 (V/Relay)        
info@buckleys4seniors.com

Jewish Council for the Aging
www.accessjca.org     
703-425-0999 (V)
301-8815263 (TTY)

City of Alexandria

DOT Program (Serving the City of Alexandria)
703-838-3800 (V)
703-838-5056 (TTY)
alexandriava.gov/tes/info/default.aspx?id=6538&terms=dot+program

DOT is the City of Alexandria’s specialized transportation service for residents of Alexandria and visitors who cannot use regular transit buses or rail due to their disability. Accommodations are made for visitors with disabilities for a cumulative 21 day period, during a 365 day period beginning with the visitor’s first use of service during the 365 day period. Visitors must present documentation that they are eligible to receive ADA paratransit services in the jurisdiction in which they reside.

Trips are provided by taxicabs and wheelchair accessible vans. DOT provides service throughout the City of Alexandria, City of Falls Church, Arlington County, Fairfax County, and Fairfax City.

DOT trips are scheduled on an advance reservation basis. Trips should be scheduled no later than one day in advance and can be scheduled up to 14 days prior to the day of the trip. If you are certified to have a personal care attendant (someone to assist you while traveling), the personal care attendant rides with you at no charge. To apply for the DOT, an eligibility application must be completed and returned to the Office of Transit Services and Programs (OTS&P). A medical professional is required to complete a portion of the application. Eligibility will be determined by OTS&P, and certification will be mailed to applicants with instruction on how to reserve DOT service.

Please note that MetroAccess serves residents of the City of Alexandria as well.

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Q. Can I get any travel training for public transportation in the Northern Virginia area?

A. Yes. ECNV offers free travel training to people with disabilities in Northern Virginia. Please call 703-525-3268 and ask to speak with a Travel Trainer.

Training is also available from WMATA for Bus and Rail System Orientations; call 202-962-1558 (TTY 202-962-2033).

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