With Return-To-Work, Loudoun County Transit To Boost Bus Service

LOUDOUN COUNTY, VA — With a return-to-office bringing more people back on buses, Loudoun County Transit will boost peak bus service.

Starting on May 5, four commuter bus trips will be added during peak morning and evening commuting hours. The commuter bus service takes riders from points in Loudoun County to employment centers around Arlington and Washington, DC with one-way fares priced at $11 with SmarTrip cards and $12 with cash.

Morning routes added include 5:30 a.m. on Route 484 from Harmony Park and Ride lot to Washington, D.C. and 5:50 a.m. on Route 282 from Dulles South Park and Ride lot to Rosslyn, the Pentagon, and Crystal City.

Evening routes added are 3:15 p.m. on Route 884 from Washington, DC to Dulles Transit Center, Leesburg, and Harmony Park and Ride lot and 3:20 p.m. on Route 681 from Washington, D.C. to Dulles South and East Gate.

Bus ridership is on the rise so far in 2025. According to a county staff report, Loudoun County Transit ridership increased from 14,600 in January to 19,367 in February. The estimated ridership total in March was 30,781.

"Moreover, afternoon buses often reach full capacity, forcing them to skip stops near the end of the route and leaving some passengers waiting over an hour for the next available bus," the staff report said.

President Donald Trump had announced the return to in-person office work for federal employees. However, the long-term commuter impact remains uncertain amid the administration's federal workforce reduction efforts.

Bus riders also have the option to use the Commuter Connection’s Guaranteed Ride Home program, which provides up to six free emergency rides home a year for illness, family emergencies, and unscheduled overtime.

For more information on the additional bus service, visit loudoun.gov/BusChanges.