<![CDATA[PRTC Press Releases]]> http://omniride.com/feed/pressrelease/ Wed, 01 Feb 2012 18:26:55 +0000 Omni@OmniRide.com (PRTC) PRTC, all rights reserved Zend Framework Zend_Feed en http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss <![CDATA[PRTC Sees Record Ridership in Anniversary Year]]> http://omniride.com/about-us/press-releases/press_releases.php?docid=87

The Potomac and Rappahannock Transportation Commission, PRTC, had a memorable year in 2011 as the agency celebrated its 25th anniversary and saw ridership increase by 7 percent - the largest annual increase in three years. 

 

PRTC provides commuter and local bus services for residents of Prince William County, Manassas and Manassas Park.  In 2011, PRTC's OmniRide and Metro Direct commuter bus services carried more than 2.3 million passengers - a 6% increase over 2010.  At the same time, PRTC's OmniLink and Cross County Connector local bus services carried more than 1 million passengers for the first time in its history - a 9% increase over 2010.  When all services are combined, PRTC carried more than 3.4 million passengers on its buses - a 7% increase over 2010, and the largest annual increase since 2008 when gas prices surpassed $4 per gallon and area residents stepped up their search for ways to save money.

 

In September 2011, as PRTC was marking the 25th anniversary of its founding with a month long celebration, the agency set a ridership record by carrying more than 15,000 passengers on a single day.  Since then the 15,000 mark has been exceeded eight times, reaching as high as 15,478 passengers on October 25.  

 

In addition, PRTC's OmniMatch ridesharing program had a daily average of 2,762 participants in 2011, helping to take even more vehicles off our congested roads.

 

"This continuing ridership growth demonstrates the value of public transportation and ridesharing in the communities we serve," said PRTC Executive Director Alfred Harf.

 

Another source of pride for PRTC in 2011 was customers' positive ratings of the services.  While there are multiple service requests that PRTC would like to accommodate but cannot because of resource constraints, customers continue to give high marks to PRTC's services.  In the most recent satisfaction survey, 81% of OmniRide customers and 74% of OmniLink customers said the overall services are excellent.  These figures reflect marked increases since remedies for overcrowded conditions on OmniRide and on-time performance challenges on OmniLink were implemented earlier in 2011.   

 

Turning to 2012, new challenges loom.  Resource constraints remain acute, and the specter of fewer riders is present because Congress did not sustain the maximum allowable federal commuter transit benefit at $230 per month.  The maximum allowable transit benefit is now $125 per month, an ironic development since the monthly parking benefit was increased at the same time from $230 to $240 per month.  An unintended consequence of this disparity is that it encourages more commuters to drive on roads that are already highly congested. 

 

"While the disparity between the parking and transit benefit is now an unfortunate fact, PRTC and other public transportation advocates are urging Congress to reinstate parity,"  Harf said, "because that's what sound public policy warrants."

 

Leading PRTC through the issues that arise in 2012 will be the newly-appointed Executive Board:

 

  • Chairman Michael C. May, a member of the Prince William Board of County Supervisors;
  • Vice Chairman Francis C. Jones, Mayor of Manassas Park;
  • Secretary Susan B. Stimpson, Chairman of the Stafford County Board of Supervisors;
  • Treasurer Frederic N. Howe III, a member of the Fredericksburg City Council;
  • Immediate Past Chairman John D. Jenkins, a member of the Prince William Board of County Supervisors;
  • At Large Member Jonathan L. Way, of the Manassas City Council; and
  • At Large Member Gary F. Skinner, a member of the Spotsylvania County Board of Supervisors.

 

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]]> Wed, 01 Feb 2012 18:26:55 +0000 <![CDATA[PRTC Introduces Electronic Passes on November 14]]> http://omniride.com/about-us/press-releases/press_releases.php?docid=86

On November 14, PRTC will introduce two new ways for riders to pay for their local bus fares. 

 

These changes coincide with PRTC’s Fall Service Change when bus timetables and maps are revised.  New schedule brochures will be available as of November 7 online and on buses upon request to the bus operator.  The Potomac and Rappahannock Transportation Commission, PRTC, provides commuter and local bus services and promotes ridesharing in the Prince William area. 

 

The new payment options coming on November 14 are:

 

Electronic Weekly Pass – Using a SmarTrip® rechargeable fare card, pay $11 and get unlimited local travel for one week. 

 

Electronic Day Pass – Using a SmarTrip® card, pay $2.50 and get unlimited local travel for one day.  The existing paper Day Pass will be eliminated as of November 14.

 

The new electronic passes will provide a discount for frequent travelers and are expected to help to keep OmniLink and Cross County Connector local buses on schedule by reducing the time needed for passengers to board and pay their fares.  Passengers also will be able to use the new passes when traveling locally on a PRTC OmniRide commuter bus or Metro Direct bus.

 

Initially, the new Weekly Pass and Day Pass will be sold only on PRTC buses.  In the future, passengers will be able to buy passes at the PRTC Transit Center and other locations.  Passengers may load value to their SmarTrip® cards on board buses, at the PRTC Transit Center, online at SmarTrip.com and various locations in the community listed on PRTC’s website, PRTCtransit.org.

 

Also on November 14, PRTC will no longer issue paper transfers to passengers who are transferring from one type of PRTC bus service to another.  Instead, the transfer benefit will be available only to those who pay their fares with a SmarTrip® card.  For example, a passenger who transfers from an OmniLink local bus to a Metro Direct commuter bus will pay the $1.20 OmniLink fare with a SmarTrip® card on the OmniLink bus.  When boarding the Metro Direct bus, the passenger will tap the SmarTrip® card to the electronic farebox.  If the transfer is being made within 3 hours, the farebox will charge only $1.45 for the Metro Direct trip, giving a $1.20 credit for the OmniLink portion of the ride.  Passengers who use cash will pay the full fares for each portion of their trip: $1.20 on OmniLink and $2.65 on Metro Direct.

 

PRTC’s current policy of no transfers between OmniLink buses will remain in effect.  For OmniLink round trips that require a transfer, riders are encouraged to purchase an electronic Day Pass for $2.50 instead of paying four one-way fares of $1.20 on each bus.  The elimination of paper transfers also includes the existing free transfer between the PRTC Transit Center and Potomac Mills Mall.

 

PRTC offers reduced fares to those age 60 or older, persons with a disability and those with a valid Medicare card.   Riders who qualify for reduced fares but who do not have a WMATA-issued Senior (65+) or Disabled SmarTrip® card may still purchase the new PRTC passes using a regular SmarTrip® card.  To avoid having to provide proof of eligibility each time they purchase a pass, PRTC encourages those who qualify for reduced fares to bring proof of age or disability to the PRTC Transit Center on weekdays between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m.  PRTC will place a sticker on eligible SmarTrip® cards so that bus operators will know that the person is eligible to pay reduced fares. 

 

SmarTrip® cards – both regular and reduced fare versions – are sold at the PRTC Transit Center on weekdays from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and at various locations in the community listed on PRTC’s website, PRTCtransit.org.  SmarTrip® cards cost $5 before any value is loaded and can hold up to $300 in value.

 

For more information about the new passes, the elimination of paper transfers or any of PRTC’s services, see the online Passes brochure, call Customer Service at (703) 730-6664 or visit www.PRTCtransit.org.

 

 

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]]> Wed, 01 Feb 2012 18:26:55 +0000 <![CDATA[PRTC Sets Ridership Mark During 25th Anniversary]]> http://omniride.com/about-us/press-releases/press_releases.php?docid=85 The Potomac and Rappahannock Transportation Commission, PRTC, set a new ridership record on September 13 by carrying more than 15,000 passengers for the first time in its history.  The record was broken during the month when PRTC is marking the 25th anniversary of its founding, giving PRTC yet another reason to celebrate.

 

“We’re really heartened by the continuing ridership growth,” said PRTC Executive Director Alfred Harf, “because that’s the real litmus test of the value of public transportation to the communities we serve.”

 

PRTC’s commuter and local bus services carried a combined 15,133 passengers on September 13.  The previous high of 14,857 passengers was set on June 7, 2011.  Ridership generally rises each September when summer vacations end and regular commuting patterns resume. 

 

In response to the growing ridership, PRTC has added as much service as its constrained resources allow.

 

 In August 2011, nine new OmniRide trips were added to routes that were experiencing chronic overcrowding.  Despite the standing-room conditions on some trips—particularly during rush hours—PRTC couldn’t add service prior to August because all available buses were deployed during the afternoon rush hours and budgeted funding was in short supply.  However, by August, PRTC took delivery of four new federally-funded buses and was able to fund the new trips through scheduling efficiencies and higher-than-anticipated passenger revenues on those same services.  By providing more service on already-popular routes, PRTC is enabling those services to accommodate new riders.

 

As part of its month-long anniversary celebration of service to the community, PRTC will host a community give-back event.  On Tuesday, September 27 through Thursday, September 29, PRTC will collect small non-perishables, toiletries and infant care items on the buses.  All donations will be given to two area social service organizations: Action in the Community Through Service (ACTS) and Securing Emergency Resources Through Volunteer Efforts (SERVE).  

 

PRTC passengers may donate by placing items in small collection boxes on the buses.  Those who make a donation will receive a free ride coupon from the bus operator as well as an entry form for PRTC’s Community Give Back drawing, which will be held on October 3, 2011.  The general public is also encouraged to participate by bringing their donations to the PRTC Transit Center at 14700 Potomac Mills Road, where donors will also receive a free ride coupon and prize drawing entry form.  The winner of the random drawing will receive a gift package worth $250 in donated prizes including gift cards to various area businesses and a SmarTrip card pre-loaded with $25 in value.

 

“By collecting items on the buses, we can help those in our community who need some assistance,” Harf said.  “What better way to say ‘thank you’ to our community than to help those in need?”

 

PRTC is also holding weekly contests for passengers as well as a month-long trivia contest.  Details about the contests and other anniversary events can be found at www.PRTCtransit.org.

 

PRTC is proud to recognize its 25th anniversary celebration sponsors!  Premiere sponsors are the News and Messenger, Smartmaps Inc. and the Gillig Corporation.  Also helping to sponsor the celebration are Potomac Mills Mall, A-1 Cycling and Olde Towne Bicycles.

 

PRTC provides commuter and local bus services in Prince William County, the City of Manassas and the City of Manassas Park and offers a free ridematching service to encourage carpools and vanpools.  PRTC also works with the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission to oversee operations of the Virginia Railway Express, VRE.

 

In fiscal year 2011, PRTC carried more than 13,000 passengers daily and made more than 3.3 million passenger trips for the year, marking a new high.  VRE is also setting records, carrying an average of 20,000 passengers daily.

 

 

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]]> Wed, 01 Feb 2012 18:26:55 +0000 <![CDATA[PRTC Celebrates 25 Years of Service]]> http://omniride.com/about-us/press-releases/press_releases.php?docid=84

The Potomac and Rappahannock Transportation Commission, PRTC, is celebrating its 25th anniversary in September by recognizing those who have played a role in its success through the years.

 

Passengers and the general public will have the chance to enter five contests in September, giving members of our community a chance to win some great, donated prizes!  Contest information is posted at www.PRTCtransit.org, where people can also learn about the history of PRTC.  Anniversary information is also available on PRTC’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/prtctransit.

 

PRTC is also planning to give something back to the community for its years of support.  Details of the community giveback efforts will be announced later in the month.

 

Also as part of anniversary celebration, the PRTC Board of Commissioners and other community leaders will be recognized at a dinner in September.  PRTC will hold a separate event to thank the staff members of PRTC and contractor First Transit Inc. for their hard work.

 

PRTC provides commuter and local bus services in Prince William County, the City of Manassas and the City of Manassas Park and offers a free ridematching service to encourage carpools and vanpools.  PRTC also works with the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission to oversee operations of the Virginia Railway Express, VRE.

 

“PRTC’s success through the years is a product of ongoing community support, the thousands of daily riders who demonstrate the value of the services provided, a dedicated workforce, and the leadership provided by its governing board,” said Executive Director Alfred Harf.  “Those ingredients are a recipe for success.”

PRTC is proud to recognize its 25th anniversary celebration sponsors!  Premiere sponsors are the Gillig Corporation, the News and Messenger and Smartmaps.  Also helping to sponsor the celebration are A-1 Cycling, Olde Towne Bicycles and Potomac Mills Mall.

 

PRTC was created in 1986 with the mission of helping to start and oversee the VRE in partnership with neighboring Northern Virginia Transportation Commission.  In 1991, PRTC’s mission was expanded when it took over operation of the COMMUTERIDE bus service and the ridesharing program from Prince William County.   These services were later renamed OmniRide and OmniMatch, respectively.

 

The OmniLink local bus service was inaugurated in 1995, and in 1999 PRTC introduced both the Cross County Connector and Metro Direct bus services to nearby Metro stations.  Additional commuter and local bus routes have been added through the years as resources allowed, and PRTC now offers 21 different bus routes.

 

In fiscal year 2011, PRTC carried more than 13,000 passengers daily (9,355 on OmniRide commuter bus services and 3,835 on OmniLink local bus services), and made more than 3.3 million passenger trips for the year, marking a new high.  VRE is also setting records, carrying an average of 20,000 passengers daily.

 

“Prince William area residents know a good thing when they see it.  That’s one reason ridership on PRTC and VRE continues to grow,” said John D. Jenkins, chairman of the PRTC Board of Commissioners.  “Those who use public transportation can leave the driving to someone else, use the time spent traveling gainfully, avoid wear and tear on their automobiles, and save money on gas.”

 

Ongoing growth in PRTC’s service area and interest in public transportation seems likely to spur additional riders, a challenge that PRTC’s staff and governing board look forward to.  It’s only a matter of time before new ridership milestones are surpassed.  

 

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