The Success Story of Alexandria’s Free Buses

Thanks to state and regional funding, the city eliminated fares while making service improvements.

2 minute read

June 7, 2022, 7:00 AM PDT

By Diana Ionescu @aworkoffiction


“Many cities enacted fare-free transit options during the pandemic, both as a means to help essential workers and to limit interactions. But as life returns to a semblance of normal, some cities are backing away from the idea.” 

Not so in Alexandria, Virginia, where buses remain free two years after fares were first eliminated during the early part of the pandemic, writes Jake Blumgart in Governing. 

“Ridership on Alexandria’s buses has surged back to almost pre-pandemic levels not only because of free fares. A redesign of the bus system that allowed for increased frequencies is an equally important part of the story,” Blumgart notes. Critics of fare-free transit often argue that cutting fares often sacrifices service. In Alexandria’s case, state and regional funding allowed the city to maintain and improve service while keeping fares free. “Alexandria was able to compete for funds from Virginia’s Department of Rail and Public Transportation, which allowed them to provide free fares for the next three years. Competitive monies from the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission are used to increase frequencies on the city’s bus lines and redesign the system.”

City leaders are optimistic that they will be able to continue financing free fares and service improvements thanks to Alexandria’s robust tax base. “The city is in the midst of a decadeslong growth spurt and the population is the highest ever. Valuations of properties are greater than during the pandemic too, so Alexandria policymakers won’t face the hard choices of more depressed municipalities.”

Friday, June 3, 2022 in Governing

courses user

As someone new to the planning field, Planetizen has been the perfect host guiding me into planning and our complex modern challenges. Corey D, Transportation Planner

As someone new to the planning field, Planetizen has been the perfect host guiding me into planning and our complex modern challenges.

Corey D, Transportation Planner

Ready to give your planning career a boost?

Commercial street in small rural U.S. town with storefronts and clocktower.

Progressive Planning in Ideologically Conservative Communities

Planners must work in diverse political environments including conservative jurisdictions that are skeptical of new issues and perspectives. Here are ways to reconcile conflicting goals.

November 7, 2024 - Todd Litman

Amtrak Coast Starlight passenger train passing over bridge in Altamont Pass, California.

Amtrak Expanding Service in California’s Central Valley

Amtrak is planning a major expansion to the passenger rail lines connecting the Central Valley and the Bay Area.

November 4, 2024 - The Modesto Bee

Aerial view of downtown Lexington, Kentucky.

Lexington, Kentucky Passes Urban Growth Plan

The city’s new master plan sets out requirements for mixed-use development.

November 6, 2024 - The Lexington Times

View of traffic on San Diego freeway.

Opinion: Why Linking Driving to GDP Misses the Point

The argument that car-centric development is good because it boosts national GDP ignores the massive costs of driving to everyday Americans.

November 13 - Streetsblog USA

White BART public transit train at Coliseum station in Oakland, California.

San Francisco’s BART Awarded $545 Loan for Upgraded Rail Cars

The agency plans to modernize its fleet with more efficient rail cars equipped with new safety features.

November 13 - Golden Gate Media

Large roof with solar panels and Los Angeles hills in background.

How Los Angeles County is Advancing Sustainability

A recently released report by the Chief Sustainability Office (CSO) shows that L.A. County is making progress on meeting the goals of the OurCounty Sustainability Plan.

November 13 - Los Angeles County Chief Sustainability Office

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.