Prince William County Virginia's OmniLink Bus
Reinventing Transit: report case study 
Flexible bus route system that uses GPS to pick up passengers up to ¾ mile off route in this growing exurban area.
Quick Stats
Prince William County, VA
Population: 425,000
Density: 1,500-3,000 /sq mi
Transit System: Potomac and Rappahannock Transportation Commission
Source: PRTC
Official Prince William County transit website
Bus drivers and dispatchers use realtime GPS system to schedule trips.
Map: OmniLink Bus Service Coverage Dale City
OmniLink Service Facts
- Buses travel along a local fixed route
- Passengers can board regularly scheduled stops, or reserve a stop up to ¾-mile off-route
- Trips are scheduled from two hours up to two days in advance through a real-time reservation system
- Off-route service is available to the general public for a surcharge ($1) or free for qualified individuals (60+, disability, Medicare)
- Bus stops are coordinated through advanced GPS tracking, route guidance and dispatching systems
The sprawling suburbs surrounding our nation’s capitol present a challenge to developing public transportation that works. But local authorities in Prince William County, Virginia devised a clever solution: flexible bus routes that can drive off-route to pick up passengers a short distance away from the main line.
This provides transit access to a much larger area and is more cost effective than the traditional method of running both fixed route and curb-to-curb paratransit services.
Modern GPS technology keeps the buses running in sync, creating a timely option for residents traveling to work or just around town.
Jobs and economic stimulus
In 2006, 59% of riders used the service to get to work, and 23% said they would not be able to get to their destination otherwise. OmniLink employs 45 people including drivers, dispatchers, customer service agents, mechanics, administrative staff and managers.
Funding sources
- OmniLink is primarily funded by a 2% motor fuel tax in Prince William County.
- Other funding sources: federal and state formula and grants funds
Potential expansions
Though adequate funding is a perennial limitation for local bus services like OmniLink, skyrocketing demand has the Potomac and Rappahannock Transportation Commission (PRTC) eyeing several possible expansions to their existing eastern and western routes:
- Increased weekend service along both western and eastern routes, including a connection to Washington Metrorail
- New routes to Montclair and "Innovation at Prince William"
- Route extension to Fort Belvoir
- Increased frequency on western routes (currently peak of 30 minutes for eastern route, 60 minutes for western route)
View the report notes.
See more innovative projects included in the Reinventing Transit report. 
Posted: 05-Feb-2009; Updated: 22-Apr-2009
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