Senate Bill 1317, introduced by Senator McPike, was presented to the House Committee on Transportation, Infrastructure and Funding Subcommittee as a measure to codify the Potomac and Rappahannock Transportation Commission's (PRTC) authority to operate and expand its OmniRide commuter-bus service beyond a prior biennial budget authorization.

"This legislation was about expansion of PRTC's highly successful Omni... commuter bus service," Senator McPike said, describing demand along I-66 and Route 29 corridors and planned service extensions into Warrenton and Front Royal to connect commuters to park-and-ride lots and regional transit destinations.

Fatima Kamara of the Virginia Conservation Network and Bob Schneider, executive director of PRTC's commuter service, testified in favor. Schneider said the service began an authorized pilot in December 2024 connecting riders to Gainesville and onward to destinations such as the Pentagon and Navy Yard, and he asked the committee to codify the authority so the service need not rely on temporary budget language. "The legislation before you would codify this authority and allow the service to continue beyond the light and the biennial budget, and there is no fiscal impact," Schneider said.

No opposition testimony was recorded. The subcommittee moved to report the bill and the clerk announced the roll call result as 8 to 0 in favor.

With the favorable report, SB 1317 advances to the next committee in the House.