Public hearings planned for proposed bus cuts, fare hikes

A new OmniRide budget calls for cutting services and raising fares.

Fares could increase by 5% starting in July to offset a $9.2 million budget shortfall for Potomac and Rappahannock Transportation Commission, the agency that operates OmniRide commuter, and OmniLink local buses. The fare increase is on top of fares that have already increased by 30% since 2009.

Under the proposed fare increase, new one-way fares would be:

• OmniRide SmarTrip fare – $6.50;

• Metro Direct SmarTrip fare – $3.25;

• OmniLink and Cross County Connector fare – $1.50;

• OmniLink and Cross County Connector reduced fare for seniors/disabled – $0.75;

• Local bus day pass – $3.40;

• Local bus weekly pass – $13.65

In addition to increased fares, there could also be these service cuts:

• OmniRide commuter bus

• Elimination of the Capitol Hill route;

• Elimination of two trips on the South Route 1 route;

• Elimination of one trip on the Dale City – Washington route;

• Elimination of neighborhood routing on all Lake Ridge routes;

• Elimination of neighborhood routing on the Dale City and Lake Ridge DL and DLX trips;

• Route consolidation of all trips serving Crystal City requiring Dale City passengers to transfer at the Pentagon;

• Elimination of Modified Holiday service; and

• Reduction of service on Fridays.

• Metro Direct commuter bus

• Elimination of two trips on Linton Hall Metro Direct;

• Elimination of all non-rush hour and reverse-commute trips on Manassas Metro Direct; and

• Reduction of frequency of mid-day trips on Prince William Metro Direct.

• OmniLink and Cross County Connector local buses

• Reduction of frequency on all OmniLink routes;

• Elimination of one trip on the Route 1 OmniLink route;

• Restructuring of Manassas and Manassas Park OmniLink routing including a reduction in frequency of service; and

• Elimination of three Cross County trips and reduction in frequency of service.

PRTC Commissioners approved for the  the agency’s $56 million budget to be sent to member jurisdiction, including Prince William County, for review earlier this month. Commissioners hope Prince William County — the jurisdiction with most riders on the OmniRide system — can come up with the money needed to fund the all or part of the $9.2 million budget shortfall for 2017.

The $9.2 million budget shortfall is expected to continue every year for the next five years.

Transportation officials said we got here because fuel prices dipped which caused revenues from the state’s 2.1% motor fuels tax that goes to fund the bus system also declined. Prince William County has relied on the motor fuels tax to pay for transportation services since onset of the great recession in 2008.

PRTC also lost $1.5 million in federal funding when the Interstate 95 E-ZPass Express Lanes opened in 2014.

The service cuts and fare increases will affect 125,000 passengers. A series of public hearings are scheduled so residents can learn more about the agency’s financial situation and provide public comment.

Tuesday, February 9, 2016, 1 PM
Manassas City Hall, Council Chambers
9027 Center Street, Manassas, VA 20110

Wednesday, February 10, 2016, 1 PM
PRTC Transit Center
14700 Potomac Mills Road, Woodbridge, VA 22192

Wednesday, February 10, 2016, 7 PM
PRTC Transit Center
14700 Potomac Mills Road, Woodbridge, VA 22192

Tuesday, February 16, 2016, 7 PM
Manassas City Hall, Council Chambers
9027 Center St, Manassas, VA 20110