Richmond Highway Bus Rapid Transit Branding Announced

WOODLAWN, VA — The future Bus Rapid Transit system along Fairfax County's Richmond Highway has a new identity: The One.

The branding for the Bus Rapid Transit was unveiled Friday outside the Gerry Hyland Government Center. The One will be the branding for the system with nine stations along Richmond Highway from the Huntington Metro to Fort Belvoir in Fairfax County. The first phase of the Bus Rapid Transit system is anticipated to be ready for service in 2030.

"I grew up on the route one corridor. This was home for me my entire life," said Board of Supervisors Chairman Jeff McKay at Friday's announcement. "And for many of us, we've been waiting our entire lives to see this kind of investment happen on this corridor. And if you talk to the people along the highway, they've been waiting their entire lives to see high quality transit to see improved pedestrian facilities, environmental upgrades, safer streets, safer bicycling, all the things that this project truly shows."

Bus Rapid Transit is designed to be faster than traditional bus routes, such as the Richmond Highway Express (REX). The bus system would have a dedicated lane with transit signal priority and separated bicycle and pedestrian paths. Proposed stations are near employment centers, shopping centers and communities around North Gateway, Penn Daw, Beacon/Groveton, Hybla Valley/Gum Springs, South County, Woodlawn and Fort Belvoir. The Virginia Department of Transportation's separate Richmond Highway widening project will reserve space for Fairfax County's dedicated bus lanes.

McKay noted the Bus Rapid Transit and Richmond Highway widening projects collectively represent a $1 billion investment in the Route 1 corridor. The Northern Virginia Transportation Authority, which prioritizes regional revenues for regional transportation projects, provided $250 million for the Bus Rapid Transit project.

"Think about the size of the county, and to have two projects in one corridor be our number one and number two transportation priorities for five straight years shows this board's entire commitment to improving the route one corridor in the quality of life," said McKay.

Lee District Supervisor Rodney Lusk, whose district includes parts west of Richmond Highway, expressed optimism about the new opportunities the bus system can create.

"For me, a critical element of creating one community is ensuring that our neighbors who already live here will benefit from the investments that we are making," said Lusk. "The redevelopment of the Richmond Highway corridor means more diverse employment options for our residents, more modern amenities, and more opportunities, elements that traditionally have only been found in the northern and western parts of the county."

Lusk added that safety must be a priority on Richmond Highway, which had numerous fatal crashes in recent years. The supervisor highlighted planned improvements to sidewalks, crosswalks, bus shelters, and bicycle and pedestrian facilities.

The One branding for the bus system resulted from a branding development team made up of community volunteers. The team narrowed down a list of 84 potential names to three for feedback from focus groups and the public. Mount Vernon District Supervisor Dan Storck said The One branding helps riders understand the location up and down Route 1. Storck said it also brings to mind the first U.S. president George Washington, whose estate is along the corridor, along with Fort Belvoir, which he called Virginia's number one employment location.

"I'm very, very excited about the launch of this new brand," said Storck. "I think it will continue to mold the identity of Richmond Highway corridor as number one as we go forward."

Tom Biesiadny, director of the Fairfax County Department of Transportation, said the county is looking into electric buses for the Bus Rapid Transit System. He said VDOT's Richmond Highway improvements project is estimated to be complete in 2029, followed by the Bus Rapid Transit starting to operate in 2030. The department of transportation estimates 15,000 riders would use the system daily.

For future updates on the Bus Rapid Transit, visit the project page.