Commuter Programs

OmniRide has established partnerships with other regional transportation organizations. Our collective goal is to improve the regional quality of life through reduced pollution and congestion. As an added benefit, this makes OmniRide passengers eligible to participate in several special commuter programs.

Metrochek and SmartBenefits®

Metrochek is a tax free or pre-tax benefit, of up to $120 per month that companies and Federal agencies can provide to their employees. Metrochek vouchers can be redeemed and the value applied to SmarTrip cards. Some vanpool operators registered with Omni Match also accept them toward fares.

Metrocheks can be converted to SmarTrip value at:

• The PRTC Transit Center at 14700 Potomac Mills Road, Woodbridge, 6am - 8 pm M - F
• Metrorail stations using a Passes/Farecard machine

Metrochecks are being discontinued in favor of SmartBenefits (see below).  March 31, 2009,is the last day they can be redeemed towards PRTC bus fares.

SmartBenefits is the electronic version of the monthly transit benefit, which can be downloaded to SmarTrip cards and is also accepted for vanpool fares. The benefit can be downloaded and converted to SmarTrip card value using a Passes/Farecard machine at Metrorail stations.

The Metrochek and SmartBenefits programs are administered through the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (Metro system). For more information visit the Metrochek page on their website at www.MetroOpensDoors.com or call Metro at (202) 962-1326.

Guaranteed Ride Home

The Guaranteed Ride Home (GRH) program provides commuters who regularly take transit, vanpool carpool bike or walk to work with a reliable ride home when one of life's unexpected emergencies arise. Registered commuters will be able to use GRH for unexpected personal emergencies and unscheduled overtime up to four times per year. The ride home by cab, rental car bus or train is FREE.

This program is administered through Commuter Connections, a regional network of transportation organizations. For details or to register call (800) 745-7433 or visit www.CommuterConnections.org.

Vanpool Incentive Programs

As a rideshare agency, PRTC provides funding for VanStart and VanSave programs. The VanStart program provides financial assistance on a temporary basis to new vanpools starting to build ridership. The VanSave program provides assistance to vanpools experiencing a loss of ridership that threatens the survival of the vanpool arrangement. Prince William County residents can also take advantage of the Personal Property Tax Relief program for vanpools. To be eligible for any of these programs, eligibility requirements must be met. Click on any of the above links to reach the program form or learn more about the program requirements.

General Eligibility Requirements for Vanpool Assistance Programs:

1. The vanpool must register with PRTC's Rideshare program by emailing Match@OmniRide.com or calling (703) 730-6664 or (888) 730-6664.
2. The van must have PV plates and must be properly registered with the local jurisdiction (i.e. the vehicle must have a current county sticker).
3. The vanpool must be a non-profit operation.
4. The owner/operator must certify that the van is appropriately insured under a Commercial auto Policy or a Vanpool policy in an insurance category different from a personal or family auto policy.
5. The owner/operator must demonstrate continuous aggressive recruiting for new passengers. Additional recruiting assistance will be provided by PRTC's Rideshare Assistant.
6. Additional eligibility, monitoring, or administrative guidelines may be set by PRTC based on:
   • Knowledge of the operator's history as a vanpool operator or passenger;
   • Market factors;
   • Funding limitations;
   • Collective experience of the vanpools in the region;
   • Origin and destination of the vanpool.
7. A van may apply for assistance only if 46% or less of the total ridership may have been in a vanpool which received State financial vanpool assistance in the past 12 months. For example, on a 15-passenger van, no more than seven (7) of the passengers may have been in a vanpool which received State financial assistance in the past 12 months.

Eligibility Requirements for the Van Start Program

1. The vanpool must be in its first three (3) months of operation.
2. The owner/operator must demonstrate that at least 50% of the passenger capacity is full by supplying the Rideshare manager with the names and telephone numbers (work and home numbers) of existing passengers for verification purposes.

Please print and complete the form below, which must also be notarized. For your convenience, notaries are available at the PRTC Transit Center.

• Van Start Application

Eligibility Requirements for the Van Save Program:

1. The van must be registered with the PRTC rideshare database for a minimum of thirty (30) days prior to application for assistance.
2. The van must have been operating for a minimum of six months and may not have received any state assistance funds for 12 months.
3. The van must have lost at least 25% of its paid passengers for more than 30 days.
4. The subsidy is available once per 12 months.

Please print and complete the form below, which must also be notarized. For your convenience, notaries are available at the PRTC Transit Center.

• Van Save Application