Big changes coming for OmniLink buses

PRTC sent us a list of upcoming changes to its commuter and local bus systems starting July 5: 

PRTC’s Service Change and fare increase will take place Tuesday, July 5. This Service Change includes the service reductions that were publicized earlier in the year during the FY 2017 budget public hearing process. New timetables are now available atwww.PRTCtransit.org. New schedule brochures will be available from operators upon request beginning Tuesday, June 28.

A comprehensive list of all the changes is available on our website.

OmniRide: **Service for most OmniRide routes will be reduced on Fridays. Modified Holiday service becomes no service for OmniRide buses.** There will be significant changes to most OmniRide routes.

Metro Direct: **Modified Holiday service becomes regular service for Metro Direct buses.** All Metro Direct routes will have significant changes. See detailed list here.

OmniLink: All OmniLink routes will have significant changes. See detailed list here.

Cross County Connector – Timetable changes; some service reductions.

 

The new fare structure will be:

OmniRide:

     -Cash $8.75

   -SmarTrip $6.50

   -Reduced Fare $4.35*

Metro Direct:

       -Cash $4.00

      -SmarTrip $3.25

      -Reduced Fare $2.00

OmniLink & Cross County Connector:

     -Cash $1.50

     -SmarTrip $1.50

     -Reduced Fare $0.75*

     -OmniLink Off-Route Trip Surcharge $1.50

     -10-pack of Tokens $15.00

     -Reduced Fare 10-pack of Tokens $7.50*

Day Pass – Valid for travel within the local service area (SmarTrip only):

     -SmarTrip $3.40

     -Reduced Fare $1.70*

Weekly Pass – Valid for travel within the local service area (SmarTrip only):

     -SmarTrip $13.65

     -Reduced Fare $6.80*

*Reduced fares are available to adults 60 years and older, persons with a disability, or persons presenting a valid Medicare card. Additional information about PRTC’s reduced fare policy is available at https://www.prtctransit.org/local-bus/fares.html.

More from PRTC Interim Director Eric Marx: 

A Message from the Interim Executive Director:

While PRTC is on the verge of reducing services and raising fares, I’m pleased to report that we have begun a two-phased strategic planning effort funded by the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT). 

Phase I consists of developing recommendations for establishing alternative funding mechanisms and sources including:

—Reviewing and documenting the current state of practice for transit funding in the United States;

—Identifying potential funding opportunities that are not currently used by PRTC; and

—Recommending a number of strategies based on evaluation of the information gathered during plan development.  

The Phase I analysis will identify both short-term funding sources, necessary to reduce/eliminate the agency’s remaining average annual $2.2 million shortfall, and sources and strategies to ensure long-term (5+ years) sustainability/growth. 

Phase II will develop a strategic plan to guide PRTC’s provision of transit and other Transportation Demand Management (TDM) services through the year 2030. This new plan will build upon and update several documents that have guided PRTC over the past decade. Among the items that will be addressed are:

—Ensuring the sustainability of current services;

—Determining existing service gaps;

—Examining alternative methods of service provision; and

—Developing a framework for future growth.

Recognizing PRTC’s role in both the regional and local transportation networks, this effort will consider significant trends and planned changes within and outside of the three PRTC bus-sponsoring jurisdictions, and will be in keeping with PRTC’s stated mission and the values and goals expressed in those jurisdictions’ plans.

Phase I results are expected in August; Phase II work will begin in July.  PRTC anticipates the plan’s development will involve significant general public, customer, and stakeholder participation, and the PRTC Board of Commissioners has already established a project steering committee.