WOODBRIDGE, Va. — OmniLink buses in Woodbridge will now serve the Virginia SkillSource Center on Minnieiville Road, making it easier for job seekers to find employment.
After requests from elected officials and community residents, the Potomac and Rappahannock Transportation Commission slightly re-routed its Woodbridge OmniLink route to serve the employment office. The modification is part of PRTC’s semi-annual service change. Buses did serve the center previously, but it was considered an on-demand stop, and riders would have to pay an extra $1 urcharge to stop there, in addition to the regular $1.20 one-way fare.
A ribbon cutting was held for the new stop Monday outside the SkillSource Center, and after an unexpected ambulance arrival for someone who apparently had injured himself inside the building, Congressman Gerry Connolly, D-Fairfax, Prince William, took to the podium.
“What we’re doing is linking jobs with transportation. We want everybody who wants a job to be matched with an opportunity,” said Connolly.
Prince William Neabsco District Supervisor and PRTC Commissioner John Jenkins also worked to request changes to the bus route.
“These changes signify a large improvement for area residents. It is a change worth celebrating,” said Jenkins.
PRTC Executive Director Alfred Harf, spoke of the multiple benefits that come from this bus stop and route changing.
“We’re really delighted that we were able to reconfigure the route to provide access to the [Virginia Employment Commission]. Other aspects of the rerouting are that it will provide much better access to the dialysis center up the road, as well as the DMV, so this a great day for a lot of reasons – the VEC being among them,” said Harf.
Harf also spoke about a new travel training program being hosted by the PRTC that will provide riders with personalized training on how to properly utilize PRTC bus services.
OmniLink operates four local bus lines in eastern Prince William, including the Woodbridge which serves U.S. 1 and Old Bridge Road in Lake Ridge. There are also OmniLink buses that serve Manassas and Manassas Park. OmniRide commuter buses ferry riders to and from destinations in Arlington and Washington.
