Loudoun County Board of Supervisors Transit Summit - December 8, 2025

The Loudoun County Board of Supervisors held a Transit Summit on December 8, 2025, to review and act on multiple transit initiatives. The meeting featured presentations from advisory boards and staff on on-demand services, the feasibility of in-sourcing transit operations, commuter bus service changes, and local fixed route improvements. The Board heard public comments, deliberated on each item, and passed several motions to advance transit planning.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Makisha McDuffie (Chair, Commission on Aging) urged the county to create a safe, reliable, affordable rideshare service for older adults, potentially as a pilot extension of the existing on-demand service. She noted that the 60+ population in Loudoun grew from 9.3% in 2010 to an estimated 17% in 2024.
• Bobby Desai (Vice Chair, Disability Services Board) thanked the Board for four initiatives (transit on-demand, paratransit, mobility assistance, fare-free transit) and encouraged expanding on-demand to other regions, increasing outreach, and adding fleet/staff for paratransit.
• Benjamin Lynn (ATU Local 689) spoke in favor of in-sourcing transit operations, arguing it would create a direct relationship between workers and the county, eliminate the contractor profit motive, provide better retirement benefits, and improve service for riders and vulnerable populations.

Discussion Items

On-Demand Transit Services (Paratransit and Microtransit)

Staff reported that paratransit ridership has increased 140% since FY2023, projected to reach 36,000 rides in FY2026. The microtransit Leesburg pilot has achieved 4 riders per revenue hour, exceeding the initial goal. Staff recommended expanding microtransit to a Sterling zone (14 square miles) and noted the budget increase from $3.3M (FY2026) to $5.1M (FY2027) driven by weekend service growth. The mobility assistance program and travel training program have already served 116 participants in 2025. Supervisors expressed support for the Sterling pilot, with some suggesting a fourth vehicle may be needed. Discussion also covered marketing success (4.9 million impressions) and the correlation between microtransit and fixed route ridership increases.

Scope – Insource Transit Operations and Maintenance

Staff presented a proposed feasibility study scope ($500,000, 11 months, 4-year transition timeline) to evaluate moving transit operations in-house. The study would assess costs, benefits, risks, stakeholder engagement, and transition planning. Supervisors debated the cost and timing; some questioned the need for an 11-month study and cited peer jurisdictions (Montgomery County, Alexandria) that operate in-house. Others raised concerns about renegotiating the current five-year contract (expiring June 2026). The Board voted 7-1 to authorize procurement of consulting services for the feasibility study.

Commuter Bus Service

Staff reported average daily ridership of 1,300, near pre-pandemic levels, removing 650 vehicles/day and 6,000 metric tons of CO2 annually. Recommendations included:

• Direct Leesburg-to-DC service, funded 100% by an I-66 Commuter Choice grant if approved by December 12.
• Relocating operations from Dulles Transit Center (lease $250k/yr) to Loudoun Gateway Station, saving ~$300k annually and enabling free transfer for commuter bus riders.
• Establishing a reduced fare (50% off) for seniors 65+ and eligible disabled riders, effective April 1, 2026 (projected revenue reduction ~$285k but offset by fare increases).
• Two new pilot routes to Loudoun (Frederick, MD and Dale City) have averaged less than 1 rider/day; staff may recommend exiting service if ridership does not improve.

The Board passed a motion (7-0) to authorize the direct Leesburg service, relocation, and reduced fare. A separate motion passed 8-0 to request analysis of parking garage fare policies at Metro stations.

Local Fixed Route Transit Service

Staff reported that local fixed route ridership has grown to over 200,000 rides in FY2026, the first time total system ridership will exceed 1 million since pre-pandemic (now majority local vs. commuter). Eight routes were identified as underperforming (below 3 riders/revenue hour), but staff noted many are paired routes where one direction does well; adjustments could be made rather than elimination. Weekend service expansion (April 2025) has been successful. Staff recommended advancing Option 2 to enter an agreement with WMATA for staff to enroll eligible SNAP recipients in the Metro Lift program (cost <$10k). The Board passed a motion (8-0) to authorize that agreement.

Additionally, the Board passed two motions (both 8-0): one directing staff to evaluate feasibility of piloting one express route (e.g., Route 70) with limited stops and more frequent service, and another to study improved headways (10-15 minutes) on a limited number of high-performing local fixed routes; results to inform the FY2028 budget.

Key Outcomes

• Motion to Procure Feasibility Study for In-Sourcing Transit Operations: Passed 7-1 (Supervisor Laterno opposed).
• Motion to Authorize Direct Leesburg-DC Commuter Service, Relocate to Loudoun Gateway, and Establish Reduced Fare: Passed 7-0.
• Motion to Request Analysis of Metro Parking Garage Fare Policies: Passed 8-0.
• Motion to Authorize Metro Lift Enrollment Agreement (SNAP recipients): Passed 8-0.
• Motion to Study Express Route Pilot: Passed 8-0.
• Motion to Study Improved Headways (10-15 minutes) on High-Performing Routes: Passed 8-0.