Silver Line Bus Route 432's Fate Still Uncertain

No matter what route bus 432 takes through Tysons and Vienna takes, some residents will likely be upset with the result.

Residents packed into the community room at Patrick Henry Library in Vienna Tuesday night to once again speak out on the controversial bus route that will connect neighborhoods to Silver Line trains when the rail line opens in late December.

Though Fairfax County’s Board of Supervisors approved changes and adjustments to about 40 other Fairfax Connector routes Tuesday afternoon, they left 432 out of the vote because of extremely mixed public opinion.

And after two hours of testimony, Fairfax County Department of Transportation officials are no closer to a solution.

“Not everybody will be able to use the route we propose,” said Tom Biesiadny, director of FCDOT.

FCDOT currently has four route configurations on the table, but every option had at least a few detractors Tuesday night, if not many.

The proposed option down Old Courthouse Road, Creek Crossing Road and East Street drew the most opposition.

Residents of Creek Crossing said running 30-foot buses down their street – one they said is already in need of repairs – would be a safety hazard that would make the street even more dangerous for pedestrians.

“We’re not anti-bus and we’re not anti-progress,” said Pam Styles, a Creek Crossing resident. “Creek Crossing has inherent physical issues.”

Beverly Jurenko, another Creek Crossing resident, said many residents of her street had signed a petition indicating they wouldn’t even use the bus.

But Louise Baird, a resident of Greater Tysons Green, was one of a few residents who spoke in favor of the option.

“We need that bus,” she said. “As I grow older, maybe I would like to stay at my house.”

Frank Torre, an Old Courthouse resident who wanted to use the service and supported the route, said the roads weren't as dangerous as some were playing them up to be. A bit of beefed up enforcement would do the trick, he said.

"It's not that bad here," he said. "I would much rather walk out in front of a bus than some citizen who's driving and talking on his cell phone."

The second route option, which would serve a long stretch of Route 7, drew similar criticism from residents of Towlston Road, a residential street the bus would use to get to Route 7.

Todd Milbury, a resident of Towlston, attended the meeting with his 8-year-old daughter Freya, who asked FCDOT officials to not run buses down her already busy street.

“It is a scary road to cross,” Freya said. “I’ve seen my friends almost get hurt by cars.”

But residents who would benefit from more service on Route 7 urged officials to implement the option.

Jack Crosby, president of the Wolftrap Woods Homeowners Association, said the option was the only one giving enough service to Route 7.

“We don’t think we’re being well served,” Crosby said. “We want that option or we don’t have a way to get to the Silver Line.”

Resident Jeff Anderson said the area had a “car problem” and any bus service to get cars off the road would ultimately be a victory. Development in Tysons is here to stay and mass transit options would alleviate some of the traffic, he said, adding some people might be hiding behind the safety issue.

“We are not a small town anymore,” he said.

Ed Tennyson didn’t think any of the options would be viable and said FCDOT should implement a combination of the routes.

Tennyson said Old Courthouse Road and Creek Crossing Road have populations that could use the bus.

“Without serving that area, the bus is going to fail,” he said. “You’ve got to be more practical about this.”

Combining parts of the Old Courthouse and Route 7 options, as well as adjusting route 462, would serve everyone who wants to use it.

“You could solve half the problems and serve those who need it,” he said.

After collecting comments and input Tuesday, FCDOT staff are going to draw up a new proposed route that they hope to give to the Board of Supervisors in late July.

No public hearing on the route is currently scheduled, but the Board could hold one if they think they need to, Biesiadny said.

“Whatever we decide, somebody’s not going to be happy,” he said. “It’s clear.” 

Residents have until Friday, June 7 to submit their comments on the route by emailing fairfaxconnector@fairfaxcounty.gov.