According to a press release from the City of Fredericksburg, the changes are part of a broader effort to modernize transit service and improve clarity for riders:
Fredericksburg Regional Transit (FXBGO!) is pleased to announce significant improvements to transit service in Stafford County, with newly realigned and renamed bus routes launching Monday, January 5, 2026.
As part of FXBGO!’s ongoing efforts to grow and modernize the regional transit network, Stafford bus routes will adopt a new numbering system to align with the renamed City of Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania County routes. The traditional ‘D’ prefixes will be replaced with clear numerical designations to make the system easier to understand and navigate.
In addition to the renaming, the routes have been realigned and optimized to reduce travel times and better connect riders with key destinations across the service area. Updated route schedules are available online and at FXBGO! Central. Customers with questions are encouraged to contact FXBGO! Customer Service or visit www.RideFXBGO.com for the most current information.
In Stafford County, the overhaul eliminated six former routes and replaced them with four new ones. While FXBGO! says the changes are designed to improve reliability and reduce travel times, the redesign expands service in some areas while reducing neighborhood-level coverage in others.
Below is a route-by-route breakdown of what changed and how riders are affected.
Route 20 replaces Route D1
(Ferry Farm – Walmart – FXBGO! Central corridor)
What D1 did
Route D1 connected Olde Forge Drive and Warrenton Road neighborhoods with Walmart, Ferry Farm Shopping Center, and downtown Fredericksburg, including the Train Station. The route included a residential loop through areas such as Sherwood Drive and Little Whim Lane.
What Route 20 does now
Route 20 keeps the core shopping and downtown connections but eliminates the Olde Forge residential loop. The Train Station is no longer a primary time point, and the route now centers service on FXBGO! Central, Walmart, and Weis.
Impact
The result is a faster, simpler route, but residents in Olde Forge and Sherwood Drive lose direct bus service. Riders traveling to major destinations benefit from improved reliability.
Route 21 replaces Route D2
(Warrenton Road – Celebrate Virginia – Olde Forge corridor)
What D2 did
Route D2 served Target, Walmart, Giant, Geico, England Run, Plantation Drive neighborhoods, and residential areas around Spring Knoll and Lichfield Boulevard.
What Route 21 does now
Route 21 closely mirrors the main D2 corridor but removes Spring Knoll and Lichfield neighborhood loops. Service remains focused on Warrenton Road and Plantation Drive, retaining major retail and employment stops.
Impact
Retail and commuter riders see little change, but residents near Spring Knoll lose neighborhood stops. The route is more direct, with fewer delays.
Route 22 replaces Routes D3 and D5
(FXBGO! Central – Stafford Courthouse – Stafford Market Place)
This is the most significant restructuring in the Stafford system.
What D3 did
Route D3 focused on North Stafford shopping and retail, serving Stafford Market Place, Doc Stone Shopping Center, Aldi, Weis, Walmart, Aquia Towne Center, and nearby residential areas.
What D5 did
Route D5 focused on government, medical, and employment centers, including Stafford Courthouse, Stafford Hospital Center, Germanna Community College, Rappahannock Regional Jail, Drew Middle School, and Stratford Square Apartments.
What Route 22 does now
Route 22 merges both routes into one long corridor connecting FXBGO! Central, Stafford Courthouse, Stafford Market Place, Route 1 employment centers, Mine Road, and Embrey Mill. The new route adds service to Embrey Mill Park and Publix, areas previously without transit access.
Impact
Riders benefit from fewer transfers and broader coverage, but trips are longer for passengers traveling short distances. The addition of Embrey Mill represents a significant expansion of service.
Route 23 replaces Route D4
(North Stafford neighborhood circulator)
What D4 did
Route D4 operated as a tight neighborhood circulator along Garrisonville Road, serving Vista Woods, Garrisonville Estates, North Stafford High School, Porter Library, DMV, and Stafford Market Place.
What Route 23 does now
Route 23 retains the same anchor points—Stafford Market Place and Porter Library—but extends west to Mine Road and Embrey Mill. New stops include Publix, Embrey Mill Park, Austin Ridge neighborhoods, Walmart on Mine Road, Germanna Community College, and additional parks and schools.
Impact
Residents in newer developments gain bus service, while some longtime D4 riders may face longer walks or longer trips. The route covers a much larger geographic area than before.
The Big Picture in Stafford County
What riders gain
- Clearer, consistent route numbering
- Fewer transfers between shopping, government, and downtown
- Expanded service to Embrey Mill and Mine Road
- More reliable service on major corridors
- Continued fare-free rides
What riders lose
- Neighborhood-level loops in Olde Forge, Spring Knoll, and Vista Woods
- Short circulator trips
- Some stops located deep inside residential subdivisions
Summary of Route Changes
| Old Route | New Route | Primary Change |
|---|---|---|
| D1 | Route 20 | Removed Olde Forge loop, streamlined |
| D2 | Route 21 | Neighborhood loops cut |
| D3 | Route 22 | Merged into longer corridor |
| D5 | Route 22 | Combined with retail route |
| D4 | Route 23 | Expanded west to Embrey Mill |
Bottom Line
Fred Transit’s Stafford County redesign marks a shift away from small neighborhood circulators toward longer, multi-purpose routes designed to connect shopping centers, schools, medical facilities, and government offices.
For riders along major roads and in fast-growing areas, the system offers broader access and simpler navigation. For residents in older subdivisions, the changes mean longer walks and longer rides. Transit officials say the new network better reflects where Stafford County is growing—but the trade-offs are already being felt on the ground.
