Thanks to $9.2M deficit, PRTC may cut bus service, raise fares

Service cuts and higher fares could be a reality for Prince William commuters, starting this summer.

The Potomac and Rappahannock Transportation Commission (PRTC) currently manages and operates the OmniLink local and OmniRide commuter bus fleets in Prince William County, Manassas and Manassas Park.

The buses carried 3.1 million passengers in fiscal year 2015, according to a PRTC release.

And while the recent drop in gas prices is good for some – it is having a large financial impact on others.

“While declining gasoline and diesel fuel costs are providing an economic benefit for consumers and business, public transit authorities are losing significant revenues as the result of declining motor fuel taxes,” stated a PRTC release.

And this loss in revenue has led to a $9.2 million deficit in the PRTC budget, according to a release.

“This is a critical time for public transportation in Northern Virginia. The need has never been greater, but the funding model that supports vital transit services is unsustainable,” stated PRTC Interim Executive Director Eric Marx in a release.

The fare increase and service cuts, if enacted, would begin in July.

Why the loss in revenue?

Well, in addition to the declining funding that PRTC is receiving from the motor fuel taxes, Prince William County’s contribution to assist funding the bus system – the motor fuels tax reserve fund – is about to be depleted, and PRTC has lost federal funding due to the HOV and HOT lanes, according to a release.

What service cuts and fee increases are being proposed?

While PRTC stated that they have made an effort to cut costs, and have increased fares by around 30% since 2009, the deficit will still require further service cuts and rate increases.

According to a release, the proposed PRTC budget for fiscal year 2017 – which begins this July – will call for a yearly 5% fare increase, and service cuts that will impact around 125,000 PRTC bus passengers per year.

“These proposed cuts will result in more single-occupant vehicles on the roads and fewer opportunities for non-drivers to access jobs, schools, health care and other community resources. We are working with local and state government officials to find both a stop-gap solution to avoid further service cuts and develop a long-lasting funding strategy,” stated Marx in a release.

The proposed cuts, according to a PRTC release:

OmniRide commuter bus

Elimination of the Capitol Hill route;
Elimination of two trips on the South Route 1 route;
Elimination of one trip on the Dale City – Washington route;
Elimination of neighborhood routing on all Lake Ridge routes;
Elimination of neighborhood routing on the Dale City and Lake Ridge DL and DLX trips;
Route consolidation of all trips serving Crystal City requiring Dale City passengers to transfer at the Pentagon;
Elimination of Modified Holiday service; and
Reduction of service on Fridays.

Metro Direct commuter bus

Elimination of two trips on Linton Hall Metro Direct;
Elimination of all non-rush hour and reverse-commute trips on Manassas Metro Direct; and
Reduction of frequency of mid-day trips on Prince William Metro Direct.

OmniLink and Cross County Connector local buses

Reduction of frequency on all OmniLink routes;
Elimination of one trip on the Route 1 OmniLink route;
Restructuring of Manassas and Manassas Park OmniLink routing including a reduction in frequency of service; and
Elimination of three Cross County trips and reduction in frequency of service.

Under the proposed fare increase, new one-way fares would be:

OmniRide SmarTrip fare – $6.50;
Metro Direct SmarTrip fare – $3.25;
OmniLink and Cross County Connector fare – $1.50;
OmniLink and Cross County Connector reduced fare for seniors/disabled – $0.75;
Local bus day pass – $3.40;
Local bus weekly pass – $13.65

What can residents do?

Residents that want to speak out or get more information about the proposed cuts and rate hike for PRTC bus service will have the chance to do so at four scheduled public hearings.

Four public hearings on the proposed budget, service cuts and fare increase have been set for:

Tuesday, February 9, 2016, 1 PM
Manassas City Hall, Council Chambers
9027 Center Street, Manassas, VA 20110

Wednesday, February 10, 2016, 1 PM
PRTC Transit Center
14700 Potomac Mills Road, Woodbridge, VA 22192

Wednesday, February 10, 2016, 7 PM
PRTC Transit Center
14700 Potomac Mills Road, Woodbridge, VA 22192

Tuesday, February 16, 2016, 7 PM
Manassas City Hall, Council Chambers
9027 Center St, Manassas, VA 20110

Details about the budget will be available at PRTCtransit.org prior to the public hearings, according to a release.

For those that cannot get to the public hearings, comments can be made via email to publichearing@omniride.com, or to the following address by February 23, 2016: