OmniRide, the public transit agency operated by the Potomac and Rappahannock Transportation Commission (PRTC), is entering a new era of service expansion thanks to a newly passed state law.
The passage of Senate Bill 1317, unanimously approved by the Virginia General Assembly and currently awaiting the Governor’s signature, officially grants PRTC the authority to expand transit service beyond its founding jurisdictions. The move clears the path for the agency’s recent expansion into Front Royal, in Warren County, marking the first time PRTC has offered service outside its original member localities.
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Despite renewed interest in expanding Metro to Prince William County, the region’s top transportation planner says it’s unlikely anytime soon.
Clark Mercer, Executive Director of the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG), told the Prince William Board of County Supervisors on Tuesday that local leaders across the region have little appetite for billion-dollar rail expansions. Instead, regional planners are focused on improving existing services, including buses and infrastructure upgrades at current stations.
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The is experiencing a surge in ridership, with a 36% increase in February compared to January, despite one fewer service day. Early data from March indicates the trend is continuing, with ridership levels already outpacing previous weeks.
The boost in ridership was discussed at the March 6 Potomac and Rappahannock Transportation Commission (PRTC) meeting and has been particularly strong on express routes, following a pattern seen across the region. Southern commuter routes, including Route 611 (Front Royal-Gainesville-Washington), Route 612 (Warrenton-Gainesville-Pentagon-L’Enfant Plaza-Navy Yard), and Route 622 (Haymarket-Rosslyn/Ballston), recorded their highest monthly ridership total yet, surpassing 11,000 trips combined.
However, this increased demand has created new challenges for commuters and transit agencies, particularly in parking availability at transit hubs.
With more passengers relying on OmniRide’s commuter services, the University Boulevard commuter lot has seen a significant increase in usage. Routes 611, 612, and 622 from the lot now carry over 1,700 passengers daily.
The 2,500-space parking facility was reported to be around 80% full even during off-peak hours, raising concerns about capacity as ridership continues to climb. Ongoing construction projects, including those related to data centers, have further reduced available parking spaces, making it harder for commuters to find spots.
As the demand for transit services grows, illegal parking has become an issue at the University Boulevard commuter lot. Law enforcement agencies, including Transurban Police and VDOT officials, have been involved in addressing parking violations.
The matter was discussed at a recent Sudley Road corridor meeting, where local authorities and transit agencies acknowledged the challenges and began exploring potential solutions. Despite the sharp rise in ridership, OmniRide faces financial roadblocks that prevent service expansion. The motor fuels tax, a key revenue source for transit services college from drivers who purchase gasoline, has remained flat, leaving little room to add trips even as demand increases.
Many commuters have shifted to bus routes operated by OmniRide and funded by the state, which helps ease congestion but does not contribute to OmniRide’s locally funded routes. As a result, high-demand routes such as Lake Ridge, Dale City, and Route 234 are operating at full capacity, but officials say there is no funding available to increase frequency.
Recognizing the urgent need for relief, PRTC plans to add more trips on the Gainesville-Pentagon and Manassas-Washington routes in April, leveraging existing state and federal funding sources. However, officials caution that these additions do not fully address the strain on local routes.
Transit leaders warn that ridership will not generate enough revenue to expand services significantly if ridership returns to pre-pandemic levels. Officials are now exploring alternative funding options, including potential local funding initiatives, to help bridge the gap.
The incident occurred around 3:45 p.m. on March 4, 2025, when OmniRide coach number 3005, returning to Washington, D.C., after dropping off passengers in Spotsylvania County, experienced a flat tire. There were no passengers on board at the time.
According to OmniRide, the bus operator safely pulled over and contacted dispatch for further instructions. However, the flat tire wrapped around the axle and began to smoke, ultimately leading to a fire that spread throughout the vehicle. By the time fire services arrived, the coach was engulfed in flames.
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Surge in Commuting Demand
According to GWRC’s Transportation Demand Management (TDM) program, GWRideConnect, inquiries about ridesharing options have increased substantially. Commuters from Fredericksburg and the counties of Caroline, King George, Spotsylvania, and Stafford are turning to ride-sharing to ease their daily travel.
“We’ve been steadily seeing an increase of people going back to the office, and then it just jumped, jumped a lot,” McKenney said. “A lot of federal workers down here are trying to find a van, trying to find the train. It seems like a lot of people who know where the train and buses are haven’t been calling as much as people looking for vans to areas that maybe the transportation doesn’t go directly to.”
The Role of Vanpools and OmniRide
GWRC functions as the commuter assistance program for the region, helping match riders to appropriate vanpools and other transit options. Vanpools, which are considered a form of transit in Virginia, operate as private-public partnerships with small business owners managing fleets of commuter vans.
“We are the commuter assistance program for the region, and our biggest service is the vanpool matching system. Vanpools are a form of transit in Virginia, but we do a private-public partnership, so the vanpool operators are private companies. They essentially own fleets of vans, maintain them, and rent them out to commuters,” McKenney explained.
OmniRide’s expanded services in Spotsylvania and Stafford Counties have also played a significant role in accommodating the commuter surge. Some OmniRide routes have become so successful that they are reportedly operating at a profit—a rarity in public transportation. “Some of those routes are doing really, really great, and they’re even making a profit,” McKenney noted. “I don’t know how much, but that’s what I’ve heard. Generally, public transportation is a service, not a for-profit thing.”
The Impact of Transportation Infrastructure Expansions
McKenney acknowledged that new transportation developments have influenced commuting patterns. The extension of express lanes on I-95 past Route 3 and the increased presence of commuter buses in the area have made transit options more accessible. “With the new express lanes and expanded bus service, commuters now have more flexibility in planning their routes,” she said. “A lot of interest is in places like the Mark Center in Alexandria, where direct transit options are limited. Vanpools are a great solution for those routes.”
Monitoring Commuter Trends
GWRC regularly tracks commuter lot usage and plans to conduct an additional lot count in early spring to assess changing patterns. “We do an annual commuter lot count, but we’re considering doing another one soon to measure the impact of recent return-to-office policies,” McKenney stated. “After everybody has been sent back and settled into their routines, we may do another count in early spring.”
For additional details on upcoming commuter assistance events and ridesharing options, visit gwrideconnect.org or call 540-373-7665.
OmniRide has announced adjusted operations for Tuesday, January 7, in response to anticipated inclement weather conditions. Fredericksburg Regional Transit (FXBGO!) has also confirmed the suspension of all transit services on Monday, January 6, due to the weather, with plans to resume operations on Tuesday at 10 a.m.
OmniRide Service Updates for Tuesday, January 7
OmniRide services will operate as follows, weather permitting:
- Express Commuter Service: Buses will run hourly between 6 a.m. and 5 p.m. Service will begin at 6 a.m. from commuter lots to Metro Stations, with the last trip leaving the Metro Stations at 5 p.m. Rides will be free.
- Western Service area: University Commuter Lot to West Falls Church Metro Station
- Eastern Service area: Horner Road Commuter Lot (Stop #1) to Franconia-Springfield
- Metro Express: No service
- Local Service: Local routes and the East-West Express will operate on weekend schedules
- Connect Microtransit: No service
- Connect Paratransit: No service
Any further updates will be sent via Rider Express messages and posted on OmniRide.com. For inquiries, OmniRide’s Customer Service Team is available at 703-730-6664.
Due to inclement weather, Fredericksburg Regional Transit (FXBGO!) will not operate on Monday, January 6. Administrative offices will remain closed. Service is expected to resume on Tuesday, January 7, at 10 a.m. Additional information is available on the FXBGO! website or by following @FXBGO on Facebook.
OmniRide will introduce significant service changes starting Monday, December 9, affecting all Express, Metro Express, and Local routes.
As part of these updates, the organization will begin serving the newly opened Neabsco Commuter Garage in Woodbridge, replacing the OmniRide Transit Center for several routes. Additionally, two western Express routes will be extended: the Gainesville-Washington route will now originate in Front Royal, and the Gainesville-Pentagon-L’Enfant Plaza-Navy Yard route will start in Warrenton. However, the Gainesville-Dulles/Herndon/Reston route will be discontinued.
Revised schedules and maps are available at OmniRide.com. Contact OmniRide at 703-730-6664 or [email protected] for details.
OmniRide Service Change Takes Effect December 9
OmniRide’s next Service Change will take effect on Monday, December 9. All schedules for Express, Metro Express, and Local routes will change on that date. OmniRide will also begin serving the new Neabsco Commuter Garage located in Woodbridge across from Sentara Medical Center. Several routes that previously served the OmniRide Transit Center will move to the Neabsco Commuter Garage.
As part of this service change, OmniRide is extending two existing western Express routes to originate at new locations in Front Royal and Warrenton. The Gainesville-Washington (611) Express route will begin at the Crooked Run Park & Ride Lot in Front Royal and become the Front Royal/Gainesville-Washington Express route. The Gainesville-Pentagon-L’Enfant Plaza-Navy Yard (612) Express route will begin at the Warrenton Park & Ride Lot in Warrenton and become the Warrenton/Gainesville-Pentagon-L’Enfant Plaza-Navy Yard Express route. Route 618, Gainesville-Dulles/Herndon/Reston (618) will be discontinued.
This past summer, OmniRide completed a total overhaul of local routes in the eastern Prince William County area – one of the biggest service changes and expansions in the organization’s 38-year history. The restructured routes were designed to provide more efficient, streamlined, and direct service, while also expanding service to new destinations. OmniRide also introduced our OmniRide Access paratransit service for residents with disabilities in eastern Prince William. See details of the restructured eastern Local service here.
For December 9th, timetables for all routes have been adjusted. A detailed listing of all the service changes along with the new schedules and maps are available for viewing at OmniRide.com.
Contact OmniRide Customer Service at 703-730-6664 or [email protected] for more information.
Press Release:
OmniRide is excited to announce the launch of two new Express Commuter routes operating from Front Royal and Warrenton. Both routes are expected to start on Monday, December 9, with fares set at $5.50 each way.
The Front Royal to State Department-Washington, DC (611-FR) Express Commuter route will begin at the Crooked Run Commuter Lot located at US 522 and Riverton Road in Front Royal. Then the route will serve the University Commuter Lot before following the existing Gainesville-Washington (611) routing through downtown DC. Initially, it will offer three morning trips and three evening trips. This service will utilize extensions of existing trips alongside new trips to encourage ridership growth in Front Royal and the University Lot, while also offering a transfer connection at the University Lot to other Express commuter routes.
The Warrenton to Pentagon-Navy Yard (612-W) Express Commuter route will start at the Warrenton Park-and-Ride Commuter Lot at US 29 and Colonial Drive in Warrenton. Like the Front Royal route, it will also serve the University Commuter Lot before taking the current Gainesville-Pentagon-L’Enfant Plaza-Navy Yard (612) routing to the Pentagon and through downtown Washington, DC. This route will launch with six morning trips and eight evening trips. It will also combine extensions of existing trips with new trips to facilitate ridership growth in Warrenton and the University Lot, while also providing a transfer connection at the University Lot to other Express commuter routes.
The new Express Commuter routes are a part of OmniRide’s service change that will take effect on Monday, December 9. In addition, all timetables for Express, Metro Express, and Local routes have been revised resulting in changes to all schedules. New schedules will be available online and from bus operators starting Monday, December 2. OmniRide will also begin serving the new Neabsco Commuter Garage located in Woodbridge across from Sentara Medical Center. Several routes that previously served the OmniRide Transit Center will move to the Neabsco Commuter Garage. For a detailed list of changes, please visit OmniRide.com.
Prince William County officials celebrated a milestone today with a ribbon-cutting ceremony for a new six-level parking garage in Woodbridge.
The $53.5 million Potomac/Neabsco Mills Commuter Garage, designed to serve as a park-and-ride hub, represents a significant investment in the region’s transportation infrastructure and is a step toward meeting the growing demands of residents and commuters.
The garage, located just off Opitz Boulevard near the Interstate 95 E-ZPass Express Lanes, opened one day after a new ramp providing direct access from Opitz Boulevard to the express lanes was inaugurated. The garage’s strategic location provides easy access to highways and toll lanes, aiming to alleviate congestion at the nearby Route 1/Route 234 Park and Ride Lot.
