Starting Monday, November 4, 2019, new OmniRide commuter express bus will service between the Staffordboro parking lot, which currently serves slugs, carpools and vanpools. New OmniRide Route 543 from the Staffordboro parking lot will offer four morning trips (4:38 AM, 5:33 AM, 6:33 AM and 7:23 AM)  and four afternoon trips (3:07 PM, 3:55 PM, 4:30 PM and 5:20 PM) serving the 14th Street corridor and L’Enfant Plaza. OmniRide Route 942 from the Staffordboro parking lot will offer four direct trips to the Pentagon in the mornings (4:33 AM, 5:33 AM, 6:18 AM and 7:18 AM) and five return trips (2:10 PM, 3:05 PM, 4:10 PM, 5:35 PM and 6:35 PM) in the afternoon.

Services are free until December 31, 2019. Starting January 1, 2020 fares will be $6.90 per trip using smart trip card. This will be great option for VRE riders who are currently paying about $10.70 to Crystal City and $11.40 to DC locations. VRE commuters heading to the Pentagon may save more than 20 minutes by taking Express Bus as they are currently transferring to the Pentagon shuttle or bus from Crystal City VRE station to the Pentagon. DC riders about 10 minutes.

Where to buy Smartrip card?

Over phone (888) SMARTRIP (888-762-7874) (M-F 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM) or online at https://smartrip.wmata.com/storefront or in-person locations listed at https://www.wmata.com/fares/stores.cfm#main-content . To protect your money please register your card at https://smartrip.wmata.com/Account/Create

Staffordboro parking lot utilization

Unlike Mine Road lot, Staffordboro lot is not overflowing, but the 8 new buses brings a capacity of about 400 riders. We expect most of the riders to drive to the parking lot which means you can expect additional 200 vehicles from VRE and other lots to use Staffordboro lot. We have to wait and see the parking lot utilization but slugs and drivers are encouraged to use Route 17 and Route 3 slug pickup locations.

Funding

As a part of the agreement between VDOT and 95 Express Lanes, LLC, the Commonwealth secured an annual payment for transit services of $15 million per year, escalating by 2.5 percent per year, beginning on the commencement of tolling next month through the life of the 70-year agreement. On October 17, 2019 the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission (NVTC), the Potomac and Rappahannock Transportation Commission (PRTC), the Commonwealth Transportation Board (CTB), the Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT), and the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) approved the project and funded $3,569,200. The project includes purchase of four new buses.