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Q Transit TDP proposes 3-route network, more frequent west route and stop consolidations; public outreach to begin
Summary
City staff and consultants proposed a draft transit development plan for the Q bus system: move from two loop routes to three bi-directional routes, increase frequency on the western route to 20 minutes during peak, consolidate some stops to improve reliability, and release draft recommendations for public comment in October.
City transportation staff and consultant Kimley Horn presented draft recommendations Oct. 7 for the Q transit development plan (TDP), proposing a restructured network, stop consolidations and an outreach plan for public comment.
Wendy Sanford, the city’s transportation director, introduced the plan and said the draft recommendations will be released to the public for comment the day after the council work session. Lucas Muller of Kimley Horn summarized the technical analysis: three bidirectional routes that create more direct one-seat rides between Metro, George Mason University and Old Town; an increased frequency target of 20 minutes on the western route during afternoon peak periods; and stop consolidation to improve speed and reliability.
"One of the most interesting outcomes…was to increase access to frequent service, so which we're defining as 20-minute service or better," Muller said, noting the proposal would improve frequent-service access for tens of thousands of area residents and jobs in the broader region served by Q.
Kimley Horn’s analysis used ridership heat maps, operational data and a cost-constrained approach that keeps total service hours roughly constant so the plan can be implemented with existing resources. The consultants said some stops would be removed or relocated — largely where boardings are low or where stop spacing is closer than recommended — to speed service and improve reliability. The draft plan is designed to retain roughly 96% of current Q boardings within a quarter-mile of a proposed stop, the consultants said.
Sanford and the consultant team outlined an outreach program that begins the week after the council meeting: ride-alongs with multilingual ambassadors to collect rider input, targeted pop-up events at high-boarding locations, an online interactive comment map and decals and QR codes on bus seats to encourage feedback. The plan envisions returning to council with a final TDP for adoption in January, after considering public feedback and operational testing by fleet operations staff.
Council members asked detailed implementation questions. Council Member Hall asked whether microtransit or on-demand models like Winchester’s WinReady had been considered; the consultants said microtransit can be appropriate in lower-density, low-ridership areas but is generally more costly per passenger than fixed routes, and that Q’s current ridership levels favor investing in fixed-route frequency and reliability.
Council Member Bates and others said clearer communications about route changes and rider education would be critical, noting a high share of city residents reported never having ridden Q in the earlier community survey. City staff and consultants agreed and planned communications collateral, station signage and app updates as part of implementation steps.
Sanford said the recommended network maintains total revenue hours so that no additional buses or drivers would be required to operate the draft proposal. Fare policy changes remain under separate review and will be the subject of a November work session, Sanford said.
The draft TDP will be available for public comment through early November; staff said they will compile feedback, run operational tests on the proposed routes and come back to council with a final plan and adoption request in early 2026.
