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.