The Potomac and Rappahannock Transportation Commission, PRTC, will increase its bus fares as of July 6, 2010. PRTC offers commuter and local transportation services in Prince William County, the City of Manassas and the City of Manassas Park.
This is PRTC’s first fare increase since December 2008 and is necessary to reduce the amount of subsidy required from the local jurisdictions that sponsor PRTC bus services. Passenger fares cover only a fraction of the cost of operating service; as a result, Prince William County, Manassas and Manassas Park must subsidize PRTC via their respective 2.1% motor fuels tax collections. Prince William County provides the lion’s share of that needed subsidy, and the county’s combined expense for the bus and VRE services it sponsors is currently greater than the annual tax yield by some $3 million dollars. The county has been able to cover the difference by tapping into reserves built up in past years, but that is not a long-term solution. By increasing passenger fares, PRTC lessens the amount of local subsidy required.
Reduced fares will continue to be available on PRTC buses to those 60 and older, those with a disability and those with a valid Medicare card, although those fares are also increasing. Reduced fares will continue to be half of the regular fares.
In addition, half-fares on OmniRide’s Tysons Express are being extended until the fall and will continue to be half of the regular OmniRide fare, thanks to continuing state sponsorship of this particular service. The Tysons Express bus offers an alternative way to travel between Woodbridge and Tysons Corner during construction of the I-495 HOT lanes and Metrorail to Dulles projects. OmniRide’s Tysons Express is entirely funded by Virginia Megaprojects, which is a collaboration of the Virginia Department of Transportation and the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation. The decision to extend the half-fares was made by Virginia Megaprojects.
As of July 6, PRTC’s new fare structure will be:
OmniRide:
-Cash $7.00
-SmarTrip $5.25
-Reduced Fare $3.50
Please note that if the federal transit subsidy remains $230 per month, OmniRide fares will increase by an additional 25 cents within the next year.
Metro Direct and OmniRide’s Tysons Express:
-Cash $3.30
-SmarTrip $2.65
-Reduced Fare $1.65
OmniLink and Cross County Connector:
-Cash $1.20
-SmarTrip $1.20
-Reduced Fare $0.60
Day Pass – Valid for travel within the local service area (cash only):
-Cash $2.50
-Reduced Fare $1.25
For more information about PRTC’s services and fares, please contact Customer Service at 703-730-6664 or Omni@OmniRide.com.
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