Arlington Launches On-Demand MICRO Transit Pilot

ARLINGTON, VA — Arlington County is launching Arlington Microtransit, or MICRO, on Monday, adding an on-demand public transportation pilot in northwest Arlington. The service will offer shared rides booked through a mobile app or by phone and is intended to connect riders to regional transit, local hubs and specific addresses within the initial service area.

The pilot will be used to collect and evaluate passenger feedback and ridership patterns to help determine how microtransit can be tailored to Arlington County, according to a release.

The program is supported by funding from the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation and Arlington County and is expected to continue through Fiscal Year 2027. The county said the service is designed in part to replace ART bus routes that were realigned in recent years because of low-but-steady ridership.

During the initial period, MICRO will operate in a defined zone in northwest Arlington, generally bounded by North Glebe Road, Langston Boulevard and the county line. The service will connect riders to Ballston-MU and East Falls Church Metrorail stations, Virginia Hospital Center, Madison Community Center, local schools and the Westover neighborhood.

The service will run Monday through Friday from 5:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. and on Saturday from 7 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Trips can be requested in real time through the app or by phone, and rides will be dynamically routed for shared trips. Wheelchair-accessible service will be available on demand or can be pre-booked up to 24 hours in advance.

Fares are set at $4.50 per ride. Reduced fares of $2.25 will be available for seniors, persons with disabilities and K-12 students, as well as for rides that start or end at Ballston Metrorail Station or East Falls Church Metrorail Station. Children under 5 can ride free when accompanied by an adult. The county is also offering a launch promotion that will provide six free rides during the first month of the pilot, through May 13.

The pilot uses technology from public transit contractor Via to group riders traveling in similar directions into shared trips. Riders can book through the Via app, available in the App Store and Google Play, or by calling 571-517-4181. More information is available at city.ridewithvia.com/art.

Arlington Transit provides fixed-route ART bus service and STAR paratransit service throughout the county.