WOODBRIDGE, VA – Prince William County area residents can once again rely on OmniRide transportation services now that an agreement has been reached between Keolis Transit Services and Teamsters Local Union 639. After a 28-day work stoppage, OmniRide buses were on the road this morning.
“As Chairman of the Potomac and Rappahannock Transportation Commission (PRTC), I’m pleased that the two sides were finally able to reach a tentative agreement and that union members voted to ratify that agreement on Sunday, March 12, 2023,” said Neabsco District Supervisor Victor Angry.
“The past four weeks were extremely difficult as regular OmniRide passengers coped with no commuter bus services and limited local bus services while bus operators were on strike. The PRTC Board of Commissioners appreciated hearing from the public who reached out to us at our meetings, via email and phone calls, to voice their frustrations with the work stoppage. Those comments demonstrated just how important it is to keep and improve public transportation in our community. We value our bus drivers and want to ensure they are compensated fairly.”
The majority of PRTC’s budget is funded by Prince William County as Prince William commuters make up the majority of ridership. Therefore, the fiscal impact of the negotiated contract could have had repercussions to county taxpayers. These negotiations were a balancing act between the benefits of providing public transit service and a possible overall tax increase to county residents.
“PRTC Chairman Angry showed true leadership during the work stoppage,” said OmniRide Executive Director Bob Schneider. “Even though he wasn’t part of the negotiations, he found ways to calm the situation instead of escalating the tension and that allowed the two parties the space they needed to continue coming back to the table and eventually to reach an agreement.”
PRTC Chairman Angry also expressed thanks to OmniRide passengers for their patience, to the parties from Keolis and the Teamsters for their professionalism in conducting the negotiations, and to the OmniRide staff.
OmniRide operated all paratransit and local bus services and most of its commuter bus services this morning, Monday, March 13. Additional routes and trips will resume operating as drivers return to work.
Here is Friday's schedule:
The work stoppage at OmniRide is over! Union members have voted to accept the latest Keolis contract offer. OmniRide buses will resume service on Monday, March 12. Service will operate as described below.
These Express commuter routes will run:
Other Express commuter routes will operate as manpower is available.
Metro Express, Local, East-West Express, Connect microtransit and Access paratransit services will operate according to regular published schedules. For Local routes in eastern Prince William, the transfer hub will return to the OmniRide Transit Center.
OmniRide is happy to welcome all our riders back!
About Us
OmniRide is the operating name for the mobility services offered by the Potomac and Rappahannock Transportation Commission (PRTC). The organization provides Local bus service in Prince William County, Manassas and Manassas Park; Express service for commuters along the I-95 and I-66 corridors to employment centers in Northern Virginia and Washington, D.C.; and Metro Express which connects riders with Metro Stations. OmniRide’s Ridesharing program offers services for carpoolers and vanpoolers. In addition, OmniRide’s Employer Services assists local employers who wish to establish or expand an employee transportation program.
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