Student Bus Pass Program

Did you know that you can now sign-up for a Free Student Bus Pass SmarTrip card at all Fairfax County High Schools and Middle Schools and ride the Fairfax Connector and City of Fairfax CUE bus for free? For more information visit your school’s administration office; you will need to have your parent’s/guardian’s approval for signing up.

3 Things to Remember - Applying For Your Free Pass

1. Your free student bus pass SmarTrip card permits students to ride Fairfax Connector or City of Fairfax CUE buses for free from 5:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., 7 days a week, all year. All other times you will need cash or a standard SmarTrip® card.
2. Students can download the application and turn in their completed form to their school's administration office to get the appropriate form to sign up. Home school/private students: please send completed applications to Michele Philips.
3. Parent/guardian consent is required for this program (this is a requirement of FCPS; Fairfax County Government does not distribute consent forms.)

Learn How to Use Your Student Bus Pass (English & Español)

Your Free Student Bus Pass is now a specially designed SmarTrip Card!

Beginning with the 2018-2019 School Year, students who sign up for a free Student Bus Pass will receive a specially designed SmarTrip Card instead of a flash pass. Here’s what you need to know:

• The Student Bus Pass SmarTrip card can ONLY be used on Fairfax Connector and City of Fairfax CUE
• When you board the bus simply tap the card on the farebox and go!
• If you wish to use Metrobus, Metrorail or any other transit system that accepts SmarTrip you will need a standard SmarTrip card

Keep in mind, the card CAN NOT:

• Be used on Metrorail or Metrobus
• Carry any cash value. You can’t add money to it like a regular SmarTrip card.

For full terms and conditions click here.

Tips for Riding Fairfax Connector and City of Fairfax CUE

• Have your student pass out and ready to tap the farecard machine when you board the bus. The driver may ask you to show your card.
• Your Student Pass SmarTrip card will work on Fairfax Connector and City of Fairfax CUE buses.
• If you switch to Metrorail, Metrobus or any other bus system you will need cash or a standard SmarTrip® card.
• Your pass works from 5:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., 7 days a week, all year. Other times you will need cash or a standard SmarTrip® card.
• Give respect to get respect. It’s important to be kind to other riders, especially those with special needs. There are seats designed just for them so try to avoid sitting there.
• If you get lost or turned around, the Fairfax Connector and CUE drivers are great! Just tell them you need help and they will help you.
• Your pass lasts until you graduate, or leave school. You don't need a new pass unless yours is lost, damaged, or no longer works.
• If you lose your pass report and replace it! Don't let someone get a free ride using YOUR pass.
• Be gentle with your pass. Don't bend or punch a hole in your card, otherwise the technology inside of it will no longer work.

Additional Information/Resources

• For Fairfax Connector route and schedule information, go online, call 703-339-7200, TTY 711, or email fairfaxconnector@fairfaxcounty.gov.
• For City of Fairfax CUE route and schedule information, go to www.fairfaxva.gov/government/public-works/cue-bus or call 703-385-7859, TTY711.
• Passes are available to all Fairfax County, City of Fairfax, and FCPS middle school and high school students (registered 7-12 grade ONLY).
• For trip planning visit https://www.wmata.com/schedules/trip-planner/(or use a third party app like Google Maps, Transit App, Moovit etc.)
• Participants must reside in Fairfax County or the City of Fairfax, regardless of which school - public, private or home school - they attend.
• For pass distribution information, check with your school's administration or email mlphillips@fcps.edu.
• Private school or home school students (7-12 grade) who reside in Fairfax County or the City of Fairfax may obtain a pass by contacting mlphillips@fcps.edu.