OmniRide Honors Local Transportation Advocate
Casandra Johnson, left, received a proclamation on behalf of her mother, Lizzie Johnson, from PRTC Chairman Victor Angry and Executive Director Bob Schneider. Lizzie Johnson, who was unable to attend, was recognized during the September 2023 meeting for her advocacy and support of public transportation services.
During the September meeting of the Potomac and Rappahannock Transportation Commission (PRTC), the Board of Commissioners honored former OmniRide rider and transportation advocate Lizzie Johnson with a proclamation for her commitment to public transportation. OmniRide is the operating name for the mobility services offered by PRTC.
Prior to moving to Woodbridge in the early 1990’s, Ms. Johnson lived in Washington D.C. and the immediate surrounding suburbs since the 1960’s. These areas were served by Metro, which means she had access to daily, frequent service. She never obtained a driver’s license and therefore depended on public transportation in both D.C. and Woodbridge. After retiring from the federal government and beginning a new career working with women fleeing domestic violence, she began to advocate for expanded public transportation in the Prince William area for those in need of transit.
Ms. Johnson collected multiple rounds of petitions with thousands of signatures and spoke at several PRTC and Prince William County Board of Supervisor Meetings. She also wrote numerous letters to elected officials on the local, state, and national level asking for funding for expanded local bus services for the County.
Due to Ms. Johnson’s health, her daughter Casandra Johnson accepted the proclamation on her behalf. “It was an extreme honor to receive the proclamation and beautiful basket on behalf of my mom. My Mom was very passionate about wanting expanded local bus services for the citizens in the county. Although the full expansion that she requested did not happen immediately, eventually over time every request that she made was met, with the most recent being Sunday service, which is a perfect example that delay does not always mean denial.”
OmniRide added Sunday service in August 2022 to eastern PWC Local routes serving Woodbridge/Lake Ridge, Dale City, Dumfries, and Route 1 routes, along with the Prince William Metro Express. The service is currently fare-free. “Although my mom is no longer able to ride the buses, we are excited that the expansions came to past in her lifetime, especially Sunday service, and I am glad that I was also able to ride on the first Sunday of service in her honor.” Saturday service was added to Manassas area Local and East-West Express routes in August 2023.
OmniRide 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. In addition, OmniRide’s Employer Services assists local employers who wish to establish or expand an employee transportation program.
About Us
The Potomac and Rappahannock Transportation Commission (PRTC), operating as OmniRide, provides commuter and local bus services as well as ridesharing services in Prince William County, the City of Manassas and the City of Manassas Park. It also co-sponsors the Virginia Railway Express in partnership with the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission.