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.
“This legislation secures our ability to plan long-term and provide reliable service to new communities like Front Royal and Warrenton,” said OmniRide Executive Director Dr. Bob Schneider. “The early response from riders has been outstanding, confirming the demand for commuter transportation beyond our traditional footprint.”
Founded in the mid-1980s, PRTC operated under CommuteRide, with service limited to Prince William, Manassas, and Manassas Park. Since then, the agency has rebranded to OmniRide and has grown to include commuter and local bus services, vanpools, and ride-sharing programs.
The new routes, (611) Front Royal-Gainesville-Washington and (612) Warrenton-Gainesville-Pentagon-L’Enfant Plaza-Navy Yard, are funded through the Commuter Choice Program—which uses toll revenues to support transit in the I-66 corridor—the route has already seen strong ridership, with more than 50 daily boardings reported in its first weeks.
While PRTC previously operated under temporary authority granted through the state budget, SB 1317 makes that authority permanent, allowing for long-term planning and service continuity.
“This is a major milestone for regional transit,” Schneider said. “It enables us to better serve Northern Virginia’s growing commuter needs, especially as federal workforce changes continue to reshape travel demand.”
Senator Jeremy McPike (D-29, Prince William-Stafford) favored the legislation, which reinforces OmniRide’s role as a vital commuter link in the region. A companion bill in the House, sponsored by Delegate Josh Thomas, did not advance.
