Virginia Railway Express
The Potomac and Rappahannock Transportation Commission (PRTC) is a multi-jurisdictional agency representing Prince William and Stafford Counties and the cities of Manassas, Manassas Park and Fredericksburg. Located in Virginia about 25 miles southwest of Washington, D.C., PRTC provides commuter bus service along the busy I-95 and I-66 corridors to points north (OmniRide), and local bus services in Prince William County and the cities of Manassas and Manassas Park (OmniLink). It also offers OmniMatch, a free ridesharing service. In addition, VRE is operated by PRTC in partnership with the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission (NVTC) to provide commuter rail service along the Manassas and Fredericksburg lines, connecting to transit providers at stations in Virginia and the District of Columbia.
With its service area experiencing an average annual population growth rate of more than 3 percent, an influx of primarily Hispanic immigrants whose population nearly tripled between 1990 and 2000, and nearly 25 percent of its residents residing in their home for one year or less according to the 2000 Census, PRTC’s goal is to provide safe, reliable and flexible transportation options while helping to reduce area congestion and pollution in one of the region’s fastest growing areas.
15 commissioners comprise the PRTC Board of Commissioners. Eleven are locally elected officials from its five member jurisdictions: City of Fredericksburg (1), City of Manassas (1), City of Manassas Park (1), Prince William County (6), and Stafford County (2). Three of the commissioners are appointed from the General Assembly (one Senator and two Delegates). The other commissioner represents the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation (VDRPT).
Membership in PRTC allows for the collection of a 2% Motor fuels Tax which is used for transportation improvements in the region. PRTC focuses on transportation planning and operating initiatives with its bus, rail, and ridematching services, as well as transportation planning studies, capital project management, policy analysis, and regional coordination.
For assistance with any of these services, click on the link above or call PRTC’s Customer Service department at (703) 730-6664, Monday – Friday from 5:30AM – 8:30PM or email Omni@OmniRide.com.
PRTC Principal Staff:
Executive Director – Alfred H. Harf
Director of Grant and Project Management – Betsy Massie
Director of Finance and Administration – Joyce Embrey
Director of Planning and Operations – Eric Marx
Director of Marketing – Althea Evans
Director of Customer Service and Dispatch – Doris Lookabill