Demand Grows, Montclair Bus Route Splits

Some PRTC bus routes and timetables have been adjusted starting today, December 1, as the Fall Service Change takes effect. The Potomac and Rappahannock Transportation Commission updates its schedules twice annually – in the spring and fall – to reflect current running times and make other changes such as updating routing and relocating bus stops as necessary.

The most significant change is the splitting of the Montclair OmniRide commuter bus service into two separate routes. This plan is being implemented in order to accommodate growing demand and provide faster and more reliable service to passengers.

Prior to the Service Change, a single Montclair OmniRide route served both the Pentagon and multiple destinations in downtown Washington, D.C. Starting today, the route has been split into two: a Montclair-Pentagon route and a Montclair-D.C. route. The new Montclair routes originate at Cardinal & Bonneville, and service to the Dale City Commuter Lot and the stops at Minnieville & Savannah has been discontinued.

After being considered for elimination earlier this year, the Tysons Express route continues to operate, thanks to funding from the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation. The route has been renamed Tysons OmniRide, charging regular OmniRide fares ($5.75 SmarTrip and $7.70 cash), and one PM trip has been removed. Additionally, the Tysons Express bus wraps that differentiate the route’s buses from the rest of the PRTC fleet will be removed.

The Fall Service Change also includes the following changes:

• The last two Manassas OmniRide AM trips now only serve the local stops at the Portsmouth Commuter Lot and on Portsmouth Road. Those trips now operate express from Portsmouth Road to I-66 via Sudley Road.
• Two trips have been eliminated from both the AM and PM Dale City-Washington schedules, among other timetable changes.
• The Dale City-Pentagon/Crystal City and Lake Ridge-Pentagon/Crystal City routes no longer serve the stops at Clark & 20^th and Crystal & 18^th.
• The Dale City – Navy Yard route no longer serves the stop at 12^th & M, and some timetable changes have taken effect.
• Route 1 OmniLink buses have discontinued service to the stop at Fraley & Graham Park. Timetable changes have been made to the route.
• Timetable changes have been made to the Manassas OmniLink route.
• Prince William Metro Direct schedules have not been updated for the Fall Service Change. New versions will be released later in December when the I-95 Express Lanes open and Virginia Megaprojects funding for the Saturday service ends. Free fares will continue on Saturdays until the opening of the Express Lanes. At that time, weekday Metro Direct fares will be charged for the Saturday Prince William Metro Direct, and the number of Saturday trips will be reduced.

Updated bus schedules are available online at PRTCtransit.org, at the PRTC Transit Center and on buses.

For more information about any of PRTC’s transportation services, please visit PRTCtransit.org or call Customer Service at (703) 730-6664.