Welcome to Northern Virginia. Expect delays. Residents here know there is no shortage of cars and that congestion on local roads and highways can be a way of life.
That’s why thousands of people each day rely on the Potomac and Rappahannock Transportation Commission to help ease their ride, whether it be to work, school, or play.
OmniRide
One of the most popular commuter bus services in the region, PRTC OmniRide allows commuters a one-seat ride from areas in Prince William County and the independent cities of Manassas and Manassas Park to their jobs in Washington, D.C., Arlington, and other stops in the close-in suburbs of Northern Virginia.
See OmniRide bus routes and schedules. See OmniRide fares.
Whether riders catch the bus from a park-and-ride commuter lot or they walk to an OmniRide bus stop in their neighborhood, commuters have come to rely on this safe, quiet, and reliable ride. OmniRide buses use High Occupancy Vehicle lanes on Interstates 95, 395, and 66 to get where they’re going, breezing by other cars that often slow down or get stuck in traffic in regular travel lanes.
“Northern Virginia has infamous traffic congestion, and by offering commuter bus services, we hope to take people out of their cars and allow them a quicker and stress-free ride in the High Occupancy Vehicle lanes,” said PRTC spokeswoman Christine Rodrigo.
Tysons Express
OmniRide buses also take passengers to Tysons Corner, a job center full of financial, contracting, and technology firms as well as world-class shopping. Tysons Corner has become an overall economic juggernaut in the region, and it’s also where new highway construction as part of the I-495 Express Lanes Project and construction of the new Dulles Corridor Metrorail Project collide.
Tysons Express riders don’t need to worry about lane closures or finding parking.
See Tysons Express AM bus and PM bus schedules and fares.
Each weekday, Tysons Express buses pick up passengers at two commuter lots in Woodbridge, travel on the HOV express lanes on I-95, and then use a portion of the Capital Beltway to access Tysons Corner, all while passengers relax and enjoy amenities like free wireless internet access.
“Instead of just sitting behind the wheel stuck in traffic, listening to the radio, you can be online, be on your smart phone, be paying bills, you can be reading, you can nap.It’s time that gets put back into your schedule to do things that you need to get done every day,” said Rodrigo.
Metro Direct
PRTC offers three options for those who need to travel to and from the nearby Metro stations. Those who live in eastern Prince William County have weekday connections with the Franconia-Springfield Metro, while those in the Manassas area have weekday connections with the West Falls Church Metro. And Gainesville area residents have rush-hour connections with the West Falls Church Metro.
See Metro Direct bus routes, schedules, and fares:
Prince William Metro Direct AM
Prince William Metro Direct PM
“The Metro station parking lots fill up early in the morning, but those who ride a Metro Direct bus don’t have to worry about parking because the bus drops passengers off near the Metro entrance,” said Rodrigo.
OmniLink local bus service
Now we know how to get to and from Prince William, but what if you want to get around locally? From sun up to sun down OmniLink is your link around town.
From humble beginnings in 1995, OmniLink has grown to serve major transportation corridors in our area, including U.S. 1 in Woodbridge, Dale Boulevard in Dale City and Sudley Road in Manassas, taking passengers to popular destinations like Potomac Mills mall, government buildings, employment centers, schools, and colleges.
See OmniLink local bus routes and schedules. See OmniLink local bus service fares.
“We recognize that people are in one-car households but have two people working, or there’s a teenager who has a driver’s license but the family, for whatever reason, doesn’t want to have another vehicle…and then you have people just out of economic necessity or medical reasons who cannot have a driver’s license or a vehicle. Local bus service helps all of these people get around and do all of the things we do every day,” said Rodrigo.
Cross County Connector
Those who need to travel between eastern Prince William and the Manassas area can rely on the Cross County Connector. The bus operates weekdays and connects Potomac Mills Mall and Manassas Mall with stops along Prince William County Parkway and Old Town Manassas.
See Cross County Connector bus routes, schedules, and fares:
Eastbound (Manassas to Woodbridge)
Westbound (Woodbridge to Manassas)
OmniMatch
Sometimes the bus doesn’t suit a person’s work schedule or destination. That’s why PRTC created the OmniMatch ridesharing service. Simply answer a few questions about your work hours, origination point and destination, and you’ll be entered into a regional database of commuters who are looking for carpools and vanpools. The service is fast, free and couldn’t be easier!
OmniSmartCommute
Employers looking for a recruiting and retention tool are turning to this free program! The OmniSmartCommute staff helps employers to create, implement and expand commuter strategies to save their staff members money and hassles. Some popular options are providing preferential parking for carpoolers, installing bike racks and showers for bicyclists, and offering flextime, compressed work weeks and telework.
On-The-Go Travel Training
Some people want to use public transportation but don’t ride because they are not familiar with the services and how they operate. PRTC’s new grant-funded travel training program is designed to help potential riders get over the hurdle of the unfamiliar and become confident users of public transportation. This free program provides one-on-one or group training sessions.
Easy to ride and pay with SmarTrip
No matter where you’re going, and no matter if you take a PRTC bus or Metro train, bring your SmarTrip card for an easy way to pay for your ride. SmarTrip is a rechargeable fare card used on multiple transportation systems in the Washington, D.C. region. One card makes it easy to connect with other services and makes travel outside our local community easier.
It also takes away the need to have exact change or proper fare, and riders can easily add more fare to their cards.
With so many options to choose from, PRTC has the Ride that’s Right for You!
Recent Stories
The Prince William County Board of County Supervisors will address the county’s meals tax during the upcoming budget deliberations, according to Chair At-Large Deshundra Jefferson. The meals tax, enacted in 2022, has been a concern for local restaurant owners, some of whom are advocating for its repeal.
The proposed meal tax (also called the food and beverage tax) for Prince William County in FY2025 is projected to generate $42 million in revenue. This represents a $10 million increase from the previous year, reflecting a significant rise of 31.25%.
The tax has drawn strong reactions from the restaurant industry, where owners have repeatedly called for its abolition, arguing that it places additional strain on their already tight margins. Restaurant owners have pointed to the increased costs they’ve faced over the past few years, compounded by inflation and staffing shortages, making the meals tax particularly burdensome.
A new gym is set to open in Dumfries, bringing 24/7 fitness access to the community. Workout Anytime will celebrate its grand opening on February 13 at 18069 Triangle Shopping Plaza (Suite C&D), offering state-of-the-art equipment, personalized training, and a commitment to fostering a healthier lifestyle.
At the helm of the new gym is Gary Wortham Jr., a former James Madison University football player and recruiter, taking on the general manager role. Wortham, a longtime Dumfries resident, is excited to bring his passion for fitness and community building to this new venture.
“We’re thrilled to be opening a full 24-hour fitness facility right in the heart of Dumfries,” Wortham said. “This town hasn’t had anything like this before, and I’m excited to provide a space where people of all ages can work toward their health and wellness goals.”
OmniRide has earned the prestigious Best Workplaces for Commuters designation, meeting rigorous standards for excellence in employee commuter benefits. This national recognition highlights OmniRide’s commitment to providing stress-free, affordable, and eco-friendly transportation options for Northern Virginia commuters.
Experience award-winning service with OmniRide’s reliable express and local bus routes, designed to save you time, money, and hassle. Join thousands of commuters who choose OmniRide for a smarter, greener way to travel.
Learn more at OmniRide.com.
Linda Kathleen Williams (Green), 76, found peace on February 6, 2025 surrounded by the love of family and friends. Linda was a beautiful person both inside and out. She grew up in South Charleston, West Virginia with her parents, Charles and Mary M. Green and her 13 siblings.
From her parents, Linda learned the value of working hard, loving others and laughing often. Linda graduated from Charleston Catholic High School in 1966. As the second born and eldest daughter of a large family, Linda’s love for children and caring for others came naturally. She completed a degree in Early Childhood Education in Athens, West Virginia at Concord College in 1970.
Travel to French soil and join us for a night filled with two of the most beloved French traditions—no plane ticket required! ?
On January 25th, we invite you to experience the magic of Galette des Rois, a 700-year-old tradition celebrated across France throughout the entire month of January (and even beyond!). This sweet, almond-filled puff pastry topped with a golden crown isn’t just a treat—it’s a celebration! The lucky person who finds the fève (a porcelain charm hidden in one of the slices) becomes the King or Queen for the Day, and don’t worry—there will be plenty of royalty to go around! ??
But that’s not all! In France, Les Voeux (New Year’s wishes) continue throughout January, often accompanied by Champagne and good cheer. We’re bringing that festive spirit to you, with a lively evening packed with French food, wine, and music.
What’s in store:
Experience the passion and drama of Puccini’s “The Girl from the Golden West”.
Featuring special guest musicians from The Chesapeake Youth Orchestra,
this performance brings Puccini’s masterpiece to life with an extraordinary cast.
(Webinar) Diet & Dementia: Brain-Healthy Tips to Reduce Your Risk…
Did you know that your food choices can impact your risk of developing dementia?
Kick off National Nutrition Month with an educational discussion on Wednesday, March 5 at 12 PM EST with Sunday Health dementia neurologist Dr. Sara Doyle and
