Parent Organizations

The Virginia Railway Express (VRE) is a transportation partnership of:

• Northern Virginia Transportation Commission (NVTC)
• Potomac and Rappahannock Transportation Commission (PRTC)

Northern Virginia Transportation Commission

The Northern Virginia Transportation Commission (NVTC) was established to manage and control the functions, affairs, and property of the Northern Virginia Transportation District--which was created by the 1964 Acts of Assembly of the Commonwealth of Virginia, chapter 630; and the Transportation District Act. The purpose of the Act is to develop transportation systems encouraging orderly growth and development of urban areas of the Commonwealth for the safety, comfort, and convenience of its citizens and for the economical utilization of public funds.

Nineteen commissioners make up NVTC. Thirteen are locally elected officials from its six member jurisdictions: Arlington (3), Fairfax (5), and Loudon (1) Counties, and the cities of Alexandria (2), Fairfax (1), and Falls Church (1). Five of the 19 commissioners are appointed from the General Assembly (2 senators and 3 delegates). The other commissioner represents the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation (VDRPT).

NVTC is a strong advocate of adequate, stable, and reliable funding to finance public transit and also supports improved efficiency of the region's transportation system. NVTC provides a policy forum for its region and allocates almost $100 million in state, regional, and federal transit assistance each year among the member jurisdictions. Its budget is funded primarily by the Commonwealth of Virginia and by local contributors. NVTC also appoints Virginia's two principal and two alternate members to the Board of Directors of the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA or Metro).

NVTC was selected by the American Public Transit Association as the outstanding government agency for 1996. APTA's 1100 members include public transit operators, state departments of transportation, metropolitan planning organizations and suppliers.

Potomac and Rappahannock Transportation Commission

The Potomac and Rappahannock Transportation Commission (PRTC) is a multi-jurisdictional agency representing Prince William and Stafford Counties and the cities of Manassas, Manassas Park and Fredericksburg. Located in Virginia about 25 miles southwest of Washington, D.C., PRTC provides commuter bus service along the busy I-95 and I-66 corridors to points north (OmniRide), and local bus services in Prince William County and the cities of Manassas and Manassas Park (OmniLink). It also offers OmniMatch, a free ridesharing service. In addition, VRE is operated by PRTC in partnership with the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission (NVTC) to provide commuter rail service along the Manassas and Fredericksburg lines, connecting to transit providers at stations in Virginia and the District of Columbia.

With its service area experiencing an average annual population growth rate of more than 3 percent, an influx of primarily Hispanic immigrants whose population nearly tripled between 1990 and 2000, and nearly 25 percent of its residents residing in their home for one year or less according to the 2000 Census, PRTC’s goal is to provide safe, reliable and flexible transportation options while helping to reduce area congestion and pollution in one of the region’s fastest growing areas.

15 commissioners comprise the PRTC Board of Commissioners. Eleven are locally elected officials from its five member jurisdictions: City of Fredericksburg (1), City of Manassas (1), City of Manassas Park (1), Prince William County (6), and Stafford County (2). Three of the commissioners are appointed from the General Assembly (one Senator and two Delegates). The other commissioner represents the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation (VDRPT).

Membership in PRTC allows for the collection of a 2% Motor fuels Tax which is used for transportation improvements in the region. PRTC focuses on transportation planning and operating initiatives with its bus, rail, and ridematching services, as well as transportation planning studies, capital project management, policy analysis, and regional coordination.

For assistance with any of these services, click on the link above or call PRTC’s Customer Service department at (703) 730-6664, Monday – Friday from 5:30AM – 8:30PM or email Omni@OmniRide.com.