OmniRide ridership drops 90% after coronavirus, commuter services cut

OmniRide will further reduce its Express commuter bus services as of Monday, April 27, due to low ridership during the coronavirus pandemic. While Express ridership has dropped by 90 percent, OmniRide will continue to operate a few core commuter routes that are serving essential personnel.

The move comes after the transit agency suspended bus fares back on March 18.

As of Monday, April 27, the following changes are in effect:

OmniRide routes that will operate on regular schedules:

Gainesville – Pentagon – Navy Yard (Route 612)

All Metro Express, East–West Express, Local, and OmniRide Access Paratransit services

OmniRide routes that will operate on Friday schedules:

Dale City – Pentagon – Navy Yard

Dale City – Washington

Montclair – Pentagon

OmniRide routes that will NOT operate as of April 27:

Dale City – Mark Center

Dale City – Pentagon – Rosslyn/Ballston

Gainesville – Washington (Route 611)

Haymarket – Rosslyn-Ballston (Route 622)

Lake Ridge – Mark Center

Lake Ridge – Pentagon-Crystal City

Lake Ridge – Washington

Manassas – Pentagon (Route 602)

Manassas – Washington (Route 601)

Montclair – Washington

South Route 1 – Pentagon – Washington

Stafford – Pentagon (Route 942)

Stafford – Washington (Route 543)

Tysons – Woodbridge

Further reducing commuter bus service will enable OmniRide to limit the exposure of our frontline providers to the virus while also using limited financial resources wisely. OmniRide previously reduced Express bus service due to the pandemic on March 25. Fares are free on OmniRide Local and Metro Express services during the pandemic to minimize interactions between bus operators and riders and allow customers to board quickly and self-distance more effectively. Commuters on OmniRide Express buses must pay fares using a SmarTrip card because OmniRide is not currently accepting cash.

OmniRide is sanitizing buses frequently with hospital-grade cleaners to protect public safety. The Transit Center lobby is closed to the general public, and many OmniRide staff members are teleworking when possible to comply with government orders to travel only when absolutely necessary. Bus operators are wearing face masks in compliance with guidelines from the Center for Disease Control. Riders are encouraged to wear face masks and to practice social distancing on buses.

OmniRide will continue to monitor ridership levels and may make additional changes in the future. Riders are encouraged to subscribe to OmniRide’s Rider Express alert system at OmniRide.com. For up-to-date information on OmniRide services, visit OmniRide.com or contact Customer Service at 703-730-6664 or [email protected].