TAGS INTRODUCES SIX STATE-OF-THE-ART BUSES
FOR SPRINGFIELD CIRCULATOR SERVICE
Springfield, VA – Six new buses have joined the Transportation Association of Greater Springfield (TAGS) bus fleet in the Greater Springfield area. The larger buses replace six smaller aging vehicles and meet the growing demand for the downtown Springfield circulator.
A ribbon cutting will be held on Wednesday, July 17 at 9:30 a.m. on the Rooftop Penthouse Terrace at Metro Park, 6361 Walker Lane, Alexandria, VA 22310.
Elected officials, including U.S. Congressman Jim Moran, Virginia Delegates Mark Sickles and Vivian Watts, Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chairman Sharon Bulova, Supervisor Jeff McKay, and others have been invited.
“We recognize that there’s not a ‘one size fits all’ approach to commuting,” said Jeff McKay, Lee District Supervisor. “TAGS has played and will continue to play a vital role in keeping Springfield moving. TAGS was the first ‘circulator’ bus service in the County and has grown to serve nearly 400 riders a day.”
The TAGS bus service started in 1999 to ease traffic congestion during the Springfield “Mixing Bowl” construction. The “little green bus” was popular that service continued after the interstate construction was completed. The service is an effective way of reducing congestion in the Springfield area.
Besides managing the shuttle service, TAGS has become an advocate for transportation mobility in the Greater Springfield area. TAGS works with local businesses and their employer services programs to market transit services and alternative commuting options, and hosts programs to educate the community on transportation-related issues. TAGS supports local community events, including Springfield Days, the Springfield Community BridgeWalk, and the Lee District concert series.
As Greater Springfield continues growing, TAGS is working to improve mobility, increase safety, and provide expanded transportation choices to enhance the quality of life in the area. “Investing in public transit is an investment in Northern Virginia’s future – every $1 we invest public transportation yields $4 in economic activity,” said Rep. Jim Moran. “The TAGS system is a model transit service, connecting Greater Springfield commuters to work and the general public to shops, restaurants and other local destinations. I’m proud to be working with WMATA and the entire TAGS team to keep Northern Virginia moving.”
TAGS is a non-profit, public-private transportation management association in the Greater Springfield area. Established in March 1999, TAGS includes business owners, community leaders, and transportation organizations including the Virginia Department of Transportation, Department of Rail and Public Transportation, Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), and Northern Virginia Transportation Commission (NVTC).
WMATA/Metro operates the TAGS buses. Stops include Metro Park, the Franconia-Springfield Metrorail station, Springfield Mall, and the Springfield Hilton. Buses run every 15 minutes from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday.
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