Commuters across Prince William County and Manassas may find their ride to work affected for the second day due to a work stoppage on OmniRide buses.
The union contract that OmniRide operators had with First Transit, the line's service contractor, has expired and on Thursday a work stoppage went into effect.
Over the morning commute, OmniRide advises changes on these lines:
- OmniRide Express buses in the I-95 corridor will take riders to and from the Pentagon Metro Station approximately every 30 minutes between 4:30 — 8:30 a.m.
- OmniRide Express buses in the I-66 corridor will run at least every 30 minutes to the Tysons Corner Metro Station between 4:30 — 8:30 a.m.
- Fares on OmniRide Express buses will be free.
- OmniRide Local buses will not make off-route trips.
- VRE Shuttle Service will not operate, allowing OmniRide to divert those resources to other trips.
This plan is a modified version of OmniRide's emergency service plan.
The work stoppage comes as Northern Virginia's public transit lines are already squeezed because a string of Blue and Yellow line Metro stations are shutdown through the summer.
Passengers are advised to look at alternatives, including OmniRide's Metro express bus to Franconia-Springfield, taking VRE, Vanpool or slugging, the transit authority says. Franconia-Springfield's Metro service is closed for summer, but shuttles from the station are available.
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It's unclear when the work stoppage will end.
"OmniRide values and appreciates its entire workforce and respects the union’s right to collectively bargain for wages and fringe benefits," OmniRide said in a press release.
