Local buses History of surface transit in Northern Virginia

until 1973, when wmata began operating buses, local buses in northern virginia operated 2 companies. alexandria, barcroft , washington transit company (ab&w) operated along , south of columbia pike, while washington, virginia , maryland coach company (wv&m) operated along , north of arlington boulevard.

the ab&w s first route along columbia pike, route 16, in 1921. acquired number of other routes, including several local alexandria routes.

the wv&m acquired several routes in late 1920s, operating west rosslyn. in 1947, wv&m absorbed arlington , fairfax motor transportation company, successor arlington & fairfax auto railroad, closed route in 1948.