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APTA Staff Visit OmniRide in Northern Virginia

On Dec. 18, APTA staff traveled to OmniRide’s Western Maintenance Facility in Manassas, VA, to learn about the agency’s operations, including its commuter bus and vanpool services.

Attending from APTA were President and CEO Paul P. Skoutelas; David Carol, chief operating officer; Art Guzzetti, vice president–mobility initiatives and public policy; Ward McCarragher, vice president–government affairs & advocacy; Petra Mollet, vice president-strategic & international programs; Lisa Jerram, senior director, bus operations and new vehicle technologies; and Natasha De La Cruz, program manager–technical services (De La Cruz is a former OmniRide team member).

The visit began with a ride on OmniRide’s commuter bus from Washington, DC, to the facility. “With APTA’s offices up the street from one of our OmniRide Express stops in downtown DC, I knew it would be a great opportunity to share what it is like to operate transit in a complex region like Northern Virginia,” said OmniRide Executive Director Bob Schneider.

The experience traveling the I-66 express lanes showcased the operational aspects of OmniRide’s transit service and allowed APTA staff to gain a practical understanding of the daily commute for riders.

At the facility, APTA staff spoke with representatives from OmniRide and its operator Keolis, and a number of transit and planning leaders from across Northern Virginia. “I want to thank Bob Schneider and his staff for the tour and for giving us greater insight into the complexities of operating a system right here in our own backyard,” said Skoutelas.