Transportation
Safety is our number one priority
FCPS handles providing a safe and smooth commute for all students every day. Our transportation team works together to provide high level of service.
Types of Transportation
Our dedicated team works together every day to ensure the safe transportation of our students. Safety is also the reason that we do not post school bus routes and bus stops on our website. If you need that information for your student, you must go in person to the school. Schools will mail bus schedules to families in August of each school year.
If you have concerns about your child's school bus transportation, speak to the transportation supervisor responsible for your school or call the Office of Transportation Services at 703-446-2000.
For any concerns after hours (after 5:30 p.m.), you will need to contact Safety and Security at 571-423-2000.
Kindergarten students who ride the bus in the afternoon are to be met at the bus door and asked for by name by a parent, parent designee, guardian, or a responsible middle school age or older sibling. Children will be returned to school if the driver has concerns for their safety.
In case of emergencies such as road closures, accidents, or weather-related road problems, drivers may use safe transportation-approved alternate locations to pick up or drop off students. If there is not a safe transportation-approved alternative stop, the driver may will be directed to return to school.
Drivers may also choose to return to the school if they have concerns regarding the safety of releasing a student at a regular stop, or if a child expresses concern for any reason about getting off of the bus.
Safe Routes to School programs get kids physically active and take cars off the road. In the last 40 years, we have seen students walking and bicycling to school decline from 48% (1969) to 13% (2009). During this same time period, the percentage of parents using Kiss and Ride has increased. The increase in Kiss and Ride users has complicated traffic conditions around many schools and has made it more difficult for student walkers and bicyclists to get to school.
The increase of Kiss and Ride users has complicated traffic conditions around many schools and has made it more difficult for student walkers and bicyclists to get to school. The Kiss and Ride program is the name given to the area where students transported by private vehicles are picked up and dropped off. The location is normally separate from school bus areas, enabling schools to avoid problems associated with cars passing buses or cars parking in "bus only" areas or fire lanes.
Kiss and Ride areas have several important features:
- Adult supervision is provided by a school staff member, normally assisted by student safety patrols.
- Clearly designated and marked areas with signs.
- Safe private vehicle traffic flow since the vehicles are not in the same driveway as school buses.
FCPS is committed to providing carbon-neutral student transportation by 2035.
FCPS is a partner with the Fairfax County Joint Environmental Task Force (JET) which was formed to address climate change and environmental sustainability proactively and collaboratively in Fairfax County. JET is composed of representatives from the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors and the FCPS School Board as well as community partners from higher education, industry, and community and student advocacy groups. One of JET’s goals is for FCPS to transition to electric or zero-carbon alternatives for school buses and eligible fleet vehicles by 2035.
Currently, FCPS has the largest EV school bus fleet in the Commonwealth of Virginia with 28 electric school buses. Eight are housed at Stonecroft Transportation Center and 20 at Lorton Transportation Center. In addition, FCPS’ fleet includes 23 electric support vehicles for driver supervisors.
By 2025, FCPS will have a total of 73 electric school buses in operation in the fleet. The majority of these buses were purchased through various grant opportunities awarded to FCPS with Dominion Energy providing charging infrastructure.
In September 2019, FCPS was awarded its first eight electric school buses and provided four vehicle-to-grid charging stations through a Dominion Energy grant award. In 2022, FCPS received funding from two separate grant opportunities for ten (10) buses each from the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ). In 2023, OTS received grant funding under the EPA School Bus Grant for 42 electric school buses. FCPS was awarded $16,590,000 adding 37 buses to Stonecroft Transportation Center and five buses to the Plum Center in Springfield, VA. FCPS purchased three additional electric school buses, using Joint Environmental Task Force (JET) funding.
Watch our video comparing diesel and electric buses.
Bus Delay Notification System
Stay up-to-date on school bus arrivals with FCPS' bus delay notification system. This system provides parents with timely notification of late bus route information. Parents may access the Bus Delay Notification System or use the FCPS Mobile App to receive the delayed bus report. Morning route information will be available until noon. Afternoon bus route information will be available from 1:00 to 7:00 p.m.
E-Notify (School Messenger) email messages will also be sent to announce bus delays. Need assistance or have questions? Contact the Transportation office listed for your school. For any concerns after hours (after 5:30 p.m.), contact Safety and Security at 571-423-2000.
Safety First
Students are reminded to use caution, watch their step, and always use the handrail when boarding and exiting the school bus. Parents, please reinforce with your child the importance of being alert when accessing the bus steps.
Free Student Bus Pass Program
Students can sign up for the Free Student Bus Pass Program at all Fairfax County public high schools and middle schools, and ride the Fairfax Connector for free! Find more information at your school’s administration office. You need to have your parent’s or guardians’ approval for signing up. Get started today by completing the Permission Form. Visit the Fairfax Connector website for more information on this program.
Free Student Bus Pass + Metrobus NEW
Students attending Annandale, Davis Center, Falls Church, Justice, and Marshall will be able to sign up for the Free Student Bus Pass + Metrobus Program. This expanded program includes Fairfax Connector, Cue, and Metrobus access between 5:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m., seven days a week. There will be approved routes students can utilize. Visit the Fairfax Connector website for more information on this expanded program or get started by completing the Permission Form.
Driving to School
Student parking permits will be offered for sale through the high schools. A valid driver's license is required. A temporary 90-day paper or provisional license is fine. However, no learner permits that strictly require the student to drive with a licensed driver are accepted.
Parking
School Bus Parking is a serious concern for FCPS. Inadequate parking facilities for buses, combined with the loss of past parking space, forces us to park school buses at many remote locations.
If you have a concern regarding the parking location for a particular school bus, please contact the Transportation Services supervisor for that site or the closest school.
Student parking is administered by each school or center. Please contact the school directly for more information.
Students may purchase parking permits at the school. Rates are set by the School Board. Age or other restrictions may apply. Students who choose to park on city or county streets do so at their own risk.
Visitor parking is administered by each school or center. Please contact the school directly for more information. There are usually a limited number of designated spaces for this purpose.
