ANEW express bus began operating between the Woodbridge Virginia Railway Express station and Tysons Corner last month, operated by OmniRide. I rode it on the second day of service to give it a try, even though I don't work in Tysons.
Tysons, a major employment and shopping area, is a whirlpool of traffic at the intersection of Leesburg Pike and Chain Bridge Road in Fairfax County, with the Capital Beltway and Dulles Toll Road along two sides. Despite sidewalks and some crosswalks with pedestrian signals, it's hostile to anyone on foot or bicycle and barely accommodating to bus riders. Discouraged from any other means of transportation, the bulk of Tysons commuters and shoppers travel by car, making for a trip that can be nearly as difficult as any other choice.
Although it's only about 55 miles from Fredericksburg, Tysons is a difficult rush-hour drive and a very long trip by public transportation. Two Metrobus routes already connect VRE with Tysons Corner: the 28A and B from King Street in Alexandria and the 23A from Crystal City. Each runs about every half-hour, and each is scheduled for around one hour to cover the distance of about 15 miles. VRE riders can use these buses for free by showing their VRE tickets. Counting transfer times, this takes two hours or more one way from Fredericksburg.
