WOODBRIDGE — OmniRide felt the sting of the latest partial government shutdown.
Ridership on OmniRide express commuter buses fell 15.6 percent from January 1st through the 25th. That comes to a loss of 788 passengers per day and resulted in the loss of $5,169 per day in fare revenue.
Now the transit service is taking steps to implement lessons learned from the Federal Government shutdown. It is now looking into how the transit service can be more flexible should a major regional event like the shutdown occur again, and how to take those events into consideration when adjusting fares.
At the February 7 meeting of the PRTC Board of Directors, Executive Director Bob Schneider was directed to work up details about how the fares would be adjusted to avoid a budgetary strain due to the loss of revenue.
Schneider was also directed to make determinations on how a different fare structure or service structure would be implemented. He’s expected to provide more detailed information at a March 7 meeting of the Potomac and Rappahannock Transportation Board of Commissioners.
“The partial government shutdown had a small negative effect on our budget, but it won’t have a long-lasting impact. We have money in reserve, and some other regular expenses such as fuel costs have been lower than expected this year so we’ll be able to absorb the revenue loss from the shutdown,” commented PRTC Public Relations Specialist Christine Rodrigo.
The saving grace that kept OmniRide’s revenue from dropping further through the shutdown was the lower price of gasoline. According to the American Automobile Association, the price of gasoline in Northern Virginia last month was about $2.20. This was slightly over the statewide average of $2.03. Â
The Potomac Rappahannock Transportation Commission (PRTC) or  Between December 21, 2018, and January 25, 800,000 federal employees were either furloughed or were required to work without pay.
The results of declining ridership in February won’t be available until the end of the month.
According to the New York Times, there have been 21 shutdowns of the Federal Government since 1976. This latest shutdown lasted 34 days and became the longest shutdown in American History. The previous record holder was the 21-day shutdown in 1995 under President Bill Clinton.
The shutdown ended when President Donald Trump signed a bill that allowed the Government to fund agencies until February 15. Â Â
Recent Stories
The Manassas City Council voted to extend a lucrative tax incentive for Micron Technology Inc. through 2035, solidifying the semiconductor company’s continued presence in the city. The deal, passed during the February 10, 2025, council meeting, ensures Micron’s annual tax payments increase by 4% while maintaining a lower tax rate than other manufacturers.
However, the decision has raised questions about a potential conflict of interest involving Mayor Michelle Davis-Younger. Multiple sources have indicated that Davis-Younger is in a relationship with Delbert Parks, Vice President and Site Director at Micron’s Manassas facility.
Parks is named in an official letter from the mayor, dated the same day as the vote, outlining the incentives offered to Micron. During the meeting, Vice Mayor Mark Wolfe alluded to the relationship, stating that “some of the comments floating around online are BS,” referring to speculation that the mayor’s ties to Parks influenced the tax break discussions.
The Prince William Board of County Supervisors has approved a 24-acre rezoning for a new data center development along Wellington Road, despite opposition from Supervisor Bob Weir and concerns about its proximity to Patriot High School.
On February 4, 2025, the board approved Rezoning #REZ2024-00042, NVA05C, changing the property’s zoning from agricultural and business districts to Planned Business District (PBD) to accommodate a data center. The site, located 700 feet southwest of Freedom Center Boulevard and Wellington Road, is part of Innovation Park, an area designated for high-tech development.
The rezoning application was submitted by STACK Infrastructure, which operates data centers in multiple locations across North America, EMEA, and Asia Pacific. Some key Northern Virginia locations include:Â Manassas, Ashburn, and Leesburg.
Fredericksburg is taking another step forward to become a more walkable community with the recent start of construction off LaFayette Boulevard, which is part of the city’s Twin Lake Drive and Kensington Pedestrian Connector project.
This $2.4 million project includes extending a 10-foot wide paved shared-use path along the north side of Lafayette Boulevard between Twin Lake Drive and St. Paul Street in the City of Fredericksburg. The path will be accessible, with ramps and crosswalks built where the route intersects with Twin Lakes Drive, Springwood Drive, Kensington Place, and St. Paul Street.
The project includes a paved access point to the Virginia Central Railway Trail from the cul-de-sac of Springwood Drive, and a bike repair station will be installed at Alum Spring Park.
The process Fredericksburg City Council is following to fill the vacant Ward 3 seat could conflict with state code—especially with a provision added last year that states that governing bodies must publicly announce the names of those being considered to fill a vacant seat at least seven days before the appointment is made.
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
