Bus Rapid Transit

More Fast, Frequent, and Reliable Transit Is One Step Closer to Reality

As Northern Virginia’s population and workforce continue to grow, so does the demand for efficient and flexible transportation options. NVTA is leading the way with a blueprint for a connected, all-day Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system to expand fast, frequent, reliable transit service in Northern Virginia with connections across the Washington-Metropolitan area.

Explore how we're advancing BRT across Northern Virginia and beyond in our BRT Action Plan.

NVTA and our partners are connecting people by delivering multimodal projects that make travel safer and more efficient.

Planning for and investing in road, rail, bus, bicycle/pedestrian, and intersection/interchange projects

Partnering with jurisdictions and agencies to deliver regionally significant projects

Prioritizing projects that alleviate strain on existing infrastructure

What is BRT?

BRT is a bus-based transit system that delivers fast, frequent and reliable transit service. Think of it as the efficiency of rail with the flexibility of buses, helping reduce congestion and create a greener, more connected Northern Virginia. A connected BRT system will provide Northern Virginia with:

New travel options/alternatives to driving
Reduced travel times
Improved access to jobs and destinations
Increased economic growth

As NoVA grows, so are we.

By 2045, NoVA's population is projected to grow by 16%, from 2.71 million people to 3.15 million. Total employment is projected to grow by 22.1%, from 1.47 million jobs to 1.79 million jobs.

The Future of Transportation is Here.

Our goal is to provide you with transportation options that improve your daily travel across Northern Virginia and beyond.

Investing in BRT

NVTA has already invested in five BRT segments, leading the charge across our region.

Jurisdiction Served
Fairfax County

NVTA Funded Projects
Richmond Highway Bus Rapid Transit – Phases I and II ($330 Million)
Route 1 Widening – Mount Vernon Memorial Highway to Napper Road ($308 Million)

Jurisdiction Served
City of Alexandria

NVTA Funded Projects
Alexandria Duke St Transitway - $87 Million

Jurisdictions Served
City of Alexandria, Arlington County

NVTA Funded Projects
West End Transitway: Northern Segment - Phase 1 - $5 Million
West End Transitway Phase 1b: South Van Dorn Street and Bridge Design - $15 Million

Jurisdictions Served
Fairfax County, City of Falls Church, Arlington County, City of Alexandria

NVTA Funded Projects
Route 7 Multimodal Improvements - I-495 to I-66 - $101 Million
Transit Alternatives Analysis Study in the Route 7 Corridor - $1 Million

Jurisdictions Served
City of Alexandria, Arlington County

NVTA Funded Projects
Pentagon City Multimodal Connections and Transitway Extension - $29 Million
Alexandria Metroway Enhancements - $7 Million

Bringing More BRT to NoVA

NVTA's BRT Action Plan lays the foundation to deliver cost-effective, high-capacity transit to complement and extend existing transit options, including Metrorail, Virginia Railway Express (VRE), local and commuter bus routes.

Building on NVTA’s investment in five BRT segments, already operating or underway in Northern Virginia, the Plan identifies 23 additional routes to significantly expand transit service.

Click to view the full BRT Action Plan, individual BRT Route Profiles, BRT System Map and Interactive Map on the right.

BRT Action Plan

BRT System Map

Individual Route Profiles

Interactive System Map

The Road to Developing the Action Plan

Outreach

We know community input is key to building a vision for the future of transportation in our region. During the summer of 2024 and the spring of 2025, we held 20 pop-up events across Northern Virginia, sought feedback through two online surveys, held eight focus groups and four working groups with our partners/stakeholders.

20
Pop-up Events

1,800+
Survey Responses

8
Focus Groups

7
Working Groups

Just One Word Speaks Volumes.

We asked the community to share their thoughts on the current state of Northern Virginia’s transportation network and their vision for the future using only one word.

We heard you.

Together, we’re committed to making the vision for the future a reality.

NVTA