OmniRide Marks 40 Years of Service

OmniRide, operated by the Potomac and Rappahannock Transportation Commission (PRTC), is celebrating 40 years of providing mobility services across Northern Virginia. The agency plans community open houses, a time capsule celebration, contests, and other events honoring riders, employees, partners, and communities.

Since beginning in 1986 with PRTC’s inaugural meeting to establish Virginia Railway Express, OmniRide has grown from a regional commuter service into a network connecting riders to jobs, schools, healthcare, recreation, and destinations across the region.

“OmniRide’s 40th anniversary is not only a milestone for us but also a reflection of four decades of connecting people and supporting the region’s growth and prosperity,” said Executive Director Dr. Bob Schneider.

Over time, the organization’s services expanded beyond its initial bus service and ridesharing program in Prince William County. It now provides greater regional transit services, microtransit, weekend operations, and more direct routes. Schneider says the transformation wouldn’t be possible without the organization’s Board of Commissioners and dedicated drivers, mechanics, and staff.

Local bus routes, microtransit, and paratransit services have remained free since February 2020, a policy extended through June 2027. OmniRide reported 2,532,167 passenger trips in FY 2026, its highest annual ridership since FY 2017.