1. I am recommending a similar system- with certain changes. The crux of my
recommendation is that a premium, limited- stop bus service be created through a
public-private partnership that serves major economic hubs in Loudoun at a constant,
frequent rate with a flat, affordable pricing structure. Conceptually, every 20 minutes
from 7am-2am 365 days a year at $2.00. The reason for a 20 minute frequency "all-
day/night" is because it build trust in riders. Instead of looking at a schedule, they simply
know this premier bus is so frequent they can just head to the bus bay and be on their
way. Having a frequent schedule the entire time pays off when millennials make that
decision to take the bus or not. The hope is that the bus could convince them to come to
Loudoun when they normally wouldn't due to high Uber costs from the east.
The service would need to run all day, and serve park and ride lots as
economic/recreational activity is not enough to keep a bus system going (commuters
must also be served). Commuter ridership is already there during rush. This will expand
opportunities to commuters who don't work entirely during weekday rush periods. The
recreational ridership would need to cultivated (we're talking out of county; I don't see an
in-county resident parking in a local lot to travel across county unless the parking
situation at a location becomes dire at some point). Public school students are the third
important ridership group (recreational, commuter, and public school students).
I have a concept plan below of how this service could work in Loudoun. If it does ever
happen, the reality would be different:
A partnership with the Loudoun Chamber could help. They could be expected to fund the
service (or at least collect money from those locations that benefit form the service) while the
county runs it. A 50%-50% public-private funding model might work.
Also, the public school system should be partnered with to provide ridership during off-peak
periods. For example, Loudoun high school students regularly get out of school at 3:48pm. With
an early release, seniors can get out at 2:12pm. This is right before rush hour (where many
buses would be rather empty). If they were encouraged to work at a economic hub, the bus
could deviate to pick up these high school students, and continue their route. This would be
accounted for in the 5-10 minute delay most bus schedules tell you to expect (during rush hour,
traffic; at this time, route deviations). When they are done with work, they would probably buy
something (I would) boosting the nighttime economy. At this time, their parents are likely able to
pick them up. They also would probably support this system as they would know what their
children are doing, rather than being home "alone." This would be geared towards high school
students that cannot drive (this bus is not trying to change the culture, at least not at first).

2. Since the senior privilege of early release would mean less with underclassmen being able to
leave early to work, we could offer a lunch release program. Conceptually, this would involve a
route deviation to pick up seniors at their school and bring them to lunch and then back (this
would need little logistical planning if buses were running every 20 minutes or so. Just deviate
the bus they're coming back on). The time would be taken out of the 90 minute study hall
(where almost no student is ever known to do work). It would be planned study hall by study hall
throughout a month to consistently increase ridership during off-peak periods. Also, the
circulator could make a route deviation to schools to provide field trips to destinations along its
route (Inova Loudoun, for example).
This would make the bus almost akin to a shuttle service. In fact, there may be a benefit to an
contracting with a Reston Limo- type service company. However, it appears that some public
involvement would be required to subsidize the bus. The hope is that the subsidy (by public and
private) pays off through additional taxes for the government and more business on the private
side.
One last note, this bus is not meant to replace the traditional public bus system. It is meant to
drive economic development- especially during the periods identified by the Nighttime Task
Force. The reason commuters are also served is because I don't think this bus service could
work (fiscally) without that commuter ridership. Even if a subsidy is still required, it should be far
less with that initially guaranteed commuter core.