Metro News Release

For immediate release: March 6, 2007

New TAGS Buses in Service

Six new buses have joined the Transportation Association of Greater Springfield (TAGS) bus fleet in the Greater Springfield area. The buses replaced and added to the four original TAGS buses.

The new buses were purchased with federal grant funds ($489,023) and local matching funds ($122,286) from Fairfax County. They carry 19 seated passengers, have leather-like seats, a wheelchair lift and two wheelchair tie downs. The new buses also have electronic destination signs and SmarTrip fareboxes.

TAGS bus service was created in 2000 to ease traffic congestion resulting from the Springfield “Mixing Bowl” construction. TAGS ridership numbers run between 10,000 and 12,000 riders each month and service will continue even after the interstate construction is completed. TAGS is a non-profit, public-private transportation management association in the Greater Springfield area.

Metro operates the TAGS shuttle bus service. Bus 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 and rides are free between Franconia-Springfield Metrorail station and Metro Park. Rides cost 25 cents between the Franconia-Springfield Metrorail station and the Springfield Hilton.

News release issued at 12:00 am, March 6, 2007.