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.

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The Potomac and Rappahannock Transportation Commission (PRTC) has announced a sustained increase in ridership through August 2024, reflecting a growing reliance on public transit amid various operational challenges, including service reductions and fare adjustments.

In August 2024, PRTC experienced an average daily ridership of 2,753 passengers, a 22% increase compared to last year. This rise comes despite significant service cuts implemented at the end of July and a $2 fare increase at the start of the month. Even a tropical storm at the beginning of August failed to significantly deter passengers, underscoring the essential role of PRTC in the daily lives of many in the region, said OmniRide CEO Dr. Robert A. “Bob” Schneider.

Throughout the summer months of June, July, and August, PRTC has seen a 15% year-over-year increase in ridership. Specifically, in June, the ridership figures stood at 161,071 total passengers, up from 146,952 in June of the previous year. This growth was supported by a consistent service performance across various routes, with notable increases reported particularly on the busiest lines, said Schneider.

The ‘Express’ services, which connect commuters from outlying areas to major employment centers, accounted for a substantial portion of the ridership, with 76,733 passengers in June 2024 alone, up from 65,933 in June 2023. Schnieder adds that this service segment is committed to facilitating efficient and reliable connections for daily commuters.

The ‘Local’ routes, catering to more localized travel, especially in eastern Prince William County, maintained robust figures with 59,201 riders in June 2024, only slightly up from 58,628 in the previous year.

Updated 9 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2024 — In a significant shift aimed at enhancing commuter services along the I-66 corridor, the Potomac and Rappahannock Transportation Commission (PRTC) has approved a plan to introduce new state-funded bus routes and eliminate the underused Gainesville-Reston commuter bus route 618. This decision comes after thorough studies identified the need for expanded services and better resource utilization.

The new routes, proposed to serve Front Royal and Warrenton, are designed to support the recently expanded I-66 express lanes and introduce new commuting options for residents. The Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments’ Long-Distance Commuter Bus Study and the Shenandoah County Public Transit Feasibility Study identified these routes as necessary.

“These new routes will utilize the expanded roadway and commuter lot infrastructure, providing critical connectivity and enhanced travel options for our community,” said Perrin Palistrant, Director of Planning and Service Delivery at PRTC. The services are slated to begin mid-December 2024, just in time for the holiday season, promising a smoother and more efficient commuting experience.

Concurrently, PRTC plans to discontinue the Gainesville-Reston Bus Route 618 due to persistently low ridership. Despite multiple marketing efforts and collaborations with transportation partners, the route has failed to attract sufficient commuter interest, typically hovering in the low single digits. The service has been in place since 2022.

The proposed changes are expected to be funded entirely by the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT), reflecting a strategic redirection of state resources towards more heavily utilized routes. Public hearings on these proposed changes are scheduled for mid-October, offering a platform for community feedback before final recommendations are presented in November.

“The reallocation of resources towards more viable commuter routes reflects our commitment to efficient and effective public transportation,” said Potomac and Rappahannock Transportation Commission Director Dr. Robert A. “Bob” Schneider. “We encourage all affected and interested parties to participate in the upcoming public hearings to voice their opinions and learn more about the changes.”

Public hearings will be held:

Monday, October 21, 2024, 5:00 pm
Warren County Community Center, 538 Villa Avenue, Front Royal, VA

Tuesday, October 22, 2024, 5:00 pm
Manassas Mall Community Room, 8300 Sudley Road, Manassas, VA
(Use Mall entrance at IHOP and turn right for the Community Room)

Wednesday, October 23, 2024, 5:00 pm
Old Town Hall Building, 18 Court Street, Warrenton, VA

Comments will be accepted during the public hearings or may be emailed to publichearing@omniride.com. Written comments also may be mailed to:

PRTC Public Hearing
14700 Potomac Mills Road, Woodbridge, VA 22192

All mailed/emailed comments must be received no later than October 30, 2024, at 5:00 pm.

A new ramp from Opitz Boulevard to the Interstate 95 E-ZPass Express Lanes is scheduled to open in November, following a delay from the initially planned summer 2024 opening. Transurban, the Australia-based company that operates the Express Lanes, announced the delay earlier this summer in an update provided to stakeholders.

“The fall 2024 opening date for the 95 Express Lanes Opitz Boulevard ramp was communicated to stakeholders in an update sent earlier this summer and reflects the contractor’s current schedule,” said Jacqueline Woodbridge, a spokeswoman for Transurban. She noted that the delay resulted from a shift in the contractor’s schedule, which can be affected by various factors, including weather conditions.

Potomac Local News has received emails from frustrated drivers who live near the work zone.

I reside nearby the project being built that will connect Opitz boulevard to the I-95 express lane boondoggle. I am not happy to learn that this ramp which was originally supposed to open in July is now supposed to open in November.

I am sick and tired of the disruption and the lack of transparency and the delays. My neighbors are as well.

Woodbridge acknowledged the frustration caused by construction-related congestion and delays but emphasized the new ramp’s benefits. “We are looking forward to providing faster, more reliable trips on the Express Lanes for southern Prince William County this November,” she said.

The Opitz Boulevard ramp is part of ongoing efforts to enhance the transportation infrastructure in the area. We’ve been reporting on a $53 million parking garage set to open near the new ramp behind Wegmans grocery store at Stonebridge at Potomac Town Center. The garage opening is also delayed but is now slated to occur in October.

The 1,400-parking-space garage will become a transit hub for eastern Prince William County. OmniRide will shift its bus operations from its nearby headquarters on Telegraph Road to the garage, and riders will use the garage instead of the transit center’s headquarters building as a transfer point.

From the latest Transurban shareholder report:

North America Toll Revenue and Infrastructure Developments

In FY24, North America’s toll revenue showed significant growth, increasing by 8.7% to $252 million. Traffic across the region also rose by 5.5%, contributing to this revenue growth. The EBITDA margin for the North American market reached 66.9%.

Greater Washington Area Infrastructure Updates

Several key infrastructure projects were highlighted in the Greater Washington Area:

Fredericksburg Extension: The construction of the Fredericksburg Extension was completed, following the opening of the roadway in August 2023. Additional access points are set to open in December 2023. This project extended the two-lane reversible facility by approximately 16 kilometers, making the 95 Express Lanes the longest reversible road in the United States.

495 NEXT Project: Construction activity on the 495 NEXT project has intensified, with work on roadways, bridges, and walls now 50% complete. The project is scheduled for completion and opening in December 2025.

Opitz Boulevard Project: This project is expected to open in November 2024. It will provide Express Lanes access to residential and commercial areas, as well as to a major hospital and medical center.

Bi-Directional Travel on 95 Express Lanes: Discussions with the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) are ongoing regarding the addition of bi-directional travel on a segment of the 95 Express Lanes. Design planning for this initiative is currently underway.

Greater Montreal Area Highlights

Electric Vehicle Traffic: Electric vehicle traffic in the Greater Montreal Area increased from 11.7% to 15.6% of total traffic. The Quebec government has extended the free toll program for electric vehicles until April 2027.

Community Contributions

The company made its fifth annual contribution to the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission’s Commuter Choice Program, bringing total investments in transit projects to nearly $80 million. These investments have supported the development of bus lines, park-and-ride lots, and commuter rail improvements throughout the 95 Express Lanes corridor.

Future Market Opportunities

Looking ahead, the company is assessing several market opportunities:

Bi-Directional Travel on 95 Express Lanes: Feasibility assessments are ongoing for adding bi-directional travel on a segment of the 95 Express Lanes. Currently, the lanes operate northbound in the morning and southbound in the evening on weekdays.

495 Express Lanes Southern Extension: VDOT is evaluating the 495 Express Lanes Southern Extension, with the environmental analysis expected to conclude by late 2024. A Federal National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) decision is anticipated by then, with potential inclusion in the region’s transportation plan by late 2025.

OmniRide will implement a service change on Monday, July 29, 2o24, which includes schedule adjustments, fare increases, and route alterations.

Notable changes include the combination and elimination of some routes, the introduction of new timetables, and updated routing for various Express, Metro Express, and Local routes. The OmniRide Express base fare also increased from $9 to $11 each way. Read More

OmniRide’s Service Change will take effect on Monday, July 29. Schedules for Express, Metro Express, and Local routes will change on that date.

Read More

OmniRide has reported ridership changes for its Express and Local bus services for May 2024.

OmniRide Express, which provides commuter bus services from Prince William, Stafford, and Spotsylvania counties to the Pentagon and Washington, D.C., saw its average daily ridership increase by less than one percent in May compared to April. This indicates a stable ridership pattern, with no significant changes observed over the month.

In contrast, OmniRide Local, which serves local routes within Prince William County and Manassas, experienced a six percent decrease in average daily ridership from April to May. Factors contributing to this decline included the impact of a holiday and the completion of the college spring semester. Despite the decrease in weekday ridership, weekend ridership significantly increased, exceeding expectations for both Saturdays and Sundays.

Overall, both OmniRide Express and OmniRide Local have seen significant increases in ridership, particularly in February and March, indicating a strong recovery and growing demand for public transportation services in the region.

For OmniRide Express, ridership in January 2024 was 87,867, a slight decrease of 0.6% from 88,408 in January 2023. February saw a substantial increase of 188.7%, with ridership rising to 103,123 from 35,718 the previous year. This upward trend continued in March, with a 109% increase to 106,030 from 50,721 in March 2023. April ridership increased by 47.4%, reaching 113,746 compared to 77,180 in April 2023. In May, ridership grew by 25.1%, with 113,932 riders compared to 91,101 in May 2023.

For OmniRide Local, January 2024 saw a ridership of 52,642, marking a 10.2% increase from 47,789 in January 2023. February ridership surged by 130.1%, rising to 56,967 from 24,758 the previous year. March ridership increased by 57.2%, reaching 54,235 compared to 34,508 in March 2023. In April, ridership grew by 24.8%, with 58,583 riders compared to 46,946 in April 2023. However, the growth rate slowed in May, with ridership increasing by 7.4% to 56,135 from 52,266 in May 2023.

The Potomac and Rappahannock Transportation Commission (OmniRide) will meet on Thursday, July 11, 2o24, at 7 p.m. at the OmniRide Transit Center, 14700 Potomac Mills Road, Woodbridge. The meeting is open to the public. Here’s the agenda.

 

OmniRide, the leading public transit provider for Northern Virginia, is poised to expand its services to new regions, pending final budget approvals. Bob Schneider, CEO of OmniRide, shared the plans in a recent interview, highlighting the organization's efforts to connect more communities along expanding transit corridors.

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