OmniRide held a ribbon-cutting ceremony on August 25 at the Woodbridge Transit Center to unveil and celebrate the addition of 16 new vehicles to its fleet. The event brought together members of the Potomac and Rappahannock Transportation Commission (PRTC) Board of Commissioners, representatives from the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT) and the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), and community partners.

OmniRide Executive Director Dr. Bob Schnieder, PRTC Board Chair Victor Angry, and FTA Director of the DC Metro Office David Schilling delivered remarks during the ceremony.

The new vehicles represent a significant investment in OmniRide’s ability to provide safe, reliable, and accessible transportation throughout Prince William County and the surrounding region. The agency acquired eight new Motor Coach Industries (MCI) commuter buses equipped with restrooms, seven new Gillig buses, and one electric van, further advancing its commitment to modernizing and expanding its fleet. This would not have been made possible without funding contributions from DRPT and FTA.

The new 40-foot Gillig buses will replace vehicles that have reached or exceeded their useful life and will serve OmniRide Local and Metro Express routes. The new electric van will support OmniRide’s Microtransit and Paratransit services, providing greater flexibility and accessibility for riders. In addition, four buses feature special wraps celebrating OmniRide’s 40th anniversary, and one commemorative bus was on display at the ribbon-cutting ceremony.

“Together, these new vehicles represent our ongoing commitment to delivering a modern, reliable transit system that supports our riders and provides our operators with the tools they need to serve the community safely and effectively,” said Dr. Bob Schnieder.

Adding these vehicles will help OmniRide maintain reliable service, improve the rider experience, and ensure customers have access to a modern fleet that meets the region’s growing transportation needs. Replacing older vehicles also improves fleet reliability and reduces the likelihood of service disruptions, while the new electric van expands OmniRide’s ability to provide accessible transportation through Microtransit and Paratransit services. For OmniRide bus operators, the investment provides newer, more efficient vehicles designed to help them deliver service every day.

“I’m thrilled to officially celebrate the delivery of 15 brand-new MCI and Gillig buses to the OmniRide fleet, 11 of which were purchased with $6.8 million in federal funding,” said David Schilling, Director of the DC Metro Office for the FTA. “This investment directly accelerates the FTA’s mission and OmniRide’s core service goals by providing safe, reliable local and commuter transit service to Northern Virginia, ultimately helping everyone ‘Get There Smarter.’”