Fairfax Connector bus service changes and route restructuring will occur in South County starting  Sept. 3, 2011 in anticipation of Base Realignment and Closure growth at Fort Belvoir. Changes include a new express route, Route 335, between the Franconia-Springfield Metrorail Station and the Fort Belvoir Community Hospital that will operate in morning and afternoon rush hours Monday through Friday. Commission movements at Fort Belvoir Main Post.

The changes will occur to eight existing Fairfax Connector routes 159, 171, 305, 307, 310, 331, 332, and 380D. Additionally, four new bus routes will be introduced: 333, 334, 335 and 371. The changes are effective Saturday, Sep. 3 for routes with weekend service. Changes to bus routes that operate only on weekdays will take effect Tuesday, Sep. 6.

Route and schedule changes include modifications to routes 159, 171 and 305; elimination of Route 307 (see new Route 371); increased service to Route 310; the restructuring and renumbering of routes 331 and 332 to provide better connections to Fort Belvoir from the Franconia-Springfield Metrorail Station (restructured Route 331 will be renamed Route 333, and restructured Route 332 will be renamed Route 334); implementation of new Route 371; and renumbering Route 380D as Route 395.

New Route 335 will begin operating on Tuesday, Sep. 6 between the Franconia-Springfield Metrorail Station and the Fort Belvoir Community Hospital on the Fort Belvoir Main Post. Route 335 will operate in morning and afternoon rush hours Monday through Friday, and will cost the regional express fare prices of $3.65 with a SmarTrip card or $3.85 with cash. Passengers will need to have a government-issued photo ID to ride this bus onto the military base.

Route-by-route descriptions are provided on the Fairfax Connector Web site, which includes maps and detailed information about each route. For a comprehensive list of the changes as well as new route timetables and maps, visit www.fairfaxconnector.com.