July

• Karen from Richmond, VA asks
  What is meant by 'late turning equipment'? That seems to delay many VRE trains in the evening.

  VRE Response
  On the Manassas Line, the first two afternoon trains 325 and 327, "turn" at Broad Run and go back up to Union Station as 336 and 338 to come back down as 329 and 337.  When one of the trips is delayed, the "turn" may be delayed and cause the next trip to be delayed.

• Ann from Spotsy asks
  Y'all sell merch?

  VRE Response
  We do not sell VRE branded merchandise.

• Tammy from asks
  About how many questions are pre-answered and how many are answered during the actual hour?

  VRE Response
  We answer as many as we can in advance so we can try to get to the ones that come in in realtime.

• Obi-Wan from Kingstowne asks
  Are ya'll running a reduced schedule on Friday? People need to know.

  VRE Response
  We are still planning on full schedule.

• JC from Stafford asks
  Observations: ... With ever increasing passengers on the Fredericksburg line, and to improve the boarding process for VRE staff and Passengers alike; "Would VRE Consider installing a display on the outside of each Train Car to indicate Seating Status?" For example, a simple "Green" light or "Red" light to indicate Seats are Available, or when Seats are Filled, respectively? Thanks

  VRE Response
  Thanks JC, great observation.  We have a project underway to install automatic passenger counters which will provide real-time information on the number of passengers boarding at each station, and how many passengers are in each car.  We currently have a single train operating as a proof of concept, but as we get the entire fleet outfitted with the counters we plan to integrate the information with the platform monitors and VRE Mobile App to try to provide information as you describe.  Stay tuned.

• Paul from Manassas asks
  How come when there are delays and I try to call in to see whats going on because of the confusing messaging on the platforms, no one ever answers? Been on hold for 30 minutes before. What do you have like two people on the phones?

  VRE Response
  Sorry for the frustration Paul.  Yes, we actually do have a very small staff answering phones.  We get additional support when available but there are times when the call volume is high and the wait times will be longer.

• Dick from Wilderness asks
  What happened to all the follow ups after major delays? Got tired of writing them? Like after 315 got stranded north, earlier this week. I thought you had extra equipment in DC? but instead you got one from Broad Run?

  VRE Response
  Thanks Dick.  Not doing the follow-up for 315 is on me (Chris), and was just an oversight.  We did the normal debrief the next morning, but I did not get to write the follow-up Train Talk.  That is why I included information about it in the intro to the forum today.  

  The protect locomotive did come from Union Station, not Broad Run.

• Kim from Bristow, VA asks
  In the last several months, I've noticed an increase in incidents involving aggressive passengers. It seems that some Manassas line passengers feel entitled to ride the train without a validated ticket then, they become aggressive toward the conductors when they are issued a summons or asked to follow some other VRE rule like not queuing in the aisle too soon. Is VRE management aware of such incidents? Also, is information regarding passenger behavior included on summonses to be addressed during their hearing? I always validate my ticket and follow the rules so it's tough to watch when these incidents occur. Thanks.

  VRE Response
  We have undercover law enforcement available on board the train to assist our crew if a passenger's behavior becomes too aggressive. Yes, a passenger's behavior is notated for the judge.

• Oscar from Annandale, VA asks
  The Manassas Line seems to be behind an Amtrak train or have late arriving equipment. Is this temporary or should we get used to it?

  VRE Response
  We continue to monitor the performance of the turn trains in particular to see what kind of schedule adjustments may be necessary as a result of the additional time required to initialize PTC.  When we are confident we have found what efficiencies we can, we will make a schedule change if necessary.

• Dave from Woodbridge asks
  This year seems to have been much harder for VRE to remain consistent on their on-time performances. No one likes to be late going home but it is even more difficult when the trains heading to the city each morning are late. Many people have to use leave when they arrive to work later than the expected arrival time. Please consider moving the departure times from Spotsy to earlier times for trains 300 and 302 in the near future. A 10 minute earlier departure for even 300 would make a huge difference for many people, especially with the on time performance slipping so much.

  VRE Response
  Our access agreement with CSX does not allow us to operate earlier trains at this time.

• Kyle from Spotsylvania asks
  As a new rider and a new federal worker I've enjoyed riding the VRE but I do have a few questions. 1) Can there be better communication between regarding the train line in the evening? Three times in the past week I've followed the Fredericksburg schedule only to find myself on a Manassas train rather a Fredericksburg one. It's really confusing and a bit irritating when you find yourself waiting at Alexandria waiting for yet another train. Do the trains have signs anywhere on this? 2) Can the lights be dimmed any in the morning for those of us who take the earlier trains. The lights are super bright. 3) Why is the train colder than the freezer in my kitchen? I'm starting to layer up on coats these mornings and I'm a guy who wears short sleeves in winter. I'm usually shivering (even with the coat) by the time I get to L'Enfant Plaza Station.

  VRE Response
  1. The outside of every train car is labeled either Manassas or Fredericksburg. A good image showing where the label is located can be found on the cover of our October 2016 RIDE magazine: https://www.vre.org/about/ride/october-2016-ride/

  2. For safety reasons, we cannot dim the lights on the train.

  3. Our car’s thermostats are set between 70-74 degrees. Because car doors open frequently, it is difficult to keep the temperatures constant. The blowers in the upper level cannot be adjusted and they are there only to circulate fresh air. If you are sitting upstairs and are cold you may wish to sit downstairs where the blowing is less pronounced.

• Cherylike from Manassas, VA asks
  I've been commuting by train to the inner cities of the various States and countries I've lived in for 26 years. Unless it's been 30 below zero or 100+ degrees in the shade, I have never experienced the signal problems at the frequency rate the VRE experiences signal problems. Some years back I remember being very inconvenienced by track work that was "really going to improve VRE's service," which was an utter failure to us riders. Why does VRE have such a consistent problem? Also, shouldn't you be making the newsletter available to us on line or by email *rather* than such costly printing on gloss and in color? We just had yet another fee increase. I would really appreciate VRE being more frugal with our money.

  VRE Response
  The RIDE magazine is available online. The printed version's cost is supported by the advertising found within the magazine. 

• Michelle from Fort Belvoir asks
  No question. I wanted to express how great a job the train crews do each day. I can't imagine the challenges they face and overcome. I especially enjoy starting the day with such outgoing and energetic train conductors like David who greet each rider and remind them to make a difference today!

  VRE Response
  Thank you Michelle.  We will pas that along.

• James from Fredericksburg asks
  Are the meetings of the VRE's board of operations public records, and if so, can the transcriptions of those meetings be made public and accessible? The are always held during the work day when many of your riders are unable to attend, it would be nice to know what was being said.

  VRE Response
  Operation Board Meeting minutes can be found on our website at: https://www.vre.org/about/board/board-agenda-minutes/.

• Paul from Fredericksburg, VA asks
  Please explain heat restrictions. While waiting for a train at Quantico, VRE claiming heat restrictions, freights and AMTRAK come barreling through, obviously not bothered by the heat. Is the co-efficient of expansion that great that a train can jump the tracks? I have put my hand on the rails during heat restrictions and can leave it there, no burns, no pain, no redness no blisters. And, train delayed for following a train. Yet, while waiting at the station, no other train comes by and then VRE shows up. You need to be more upfront about following distances. 5 minutes? 5 miles? A train is not a sports car, able to stop on a dime, but when the train is late for following a train, and no other train comes by, you really begin to wonder if all of the above is not a huge excuse for being late.

  VRE Response
  Thanks for the question Paul.  Heat orders are placed by the railroad and are not optional for any train.  When the railroad issues heat related speed restrictions, passenger/commuter trains must travel 20 mph slower than the posted track speed.  Amtrak trains and freight trains are subject to the heat warning speed restrictions.

  When we post messages of delays due to congestion of following other trains it is because when more trains are in the network, it is difficult to get clear signals to operate at track speed.  If there is another train in the same block (the track area between two signals) the following train will not get a clear signal. Some blocks are relatively short, but some blocks are several miles long.  You may not see the other trains in Quantico because the slower signals and congestion may have all occurred between Union Station and Alexandria on the southbound trips, or between Spotsylvania and Dahlgren Junction on northbound trips.

  High rail temperatures could potentially cause heat kinks in the rail or other issues. The slower speeds reduces train to track forces, as the track structure is under increased (unseen) stresses in higher temperatures.

  Please check out some previous articles we've done on heat related delays on our blog.

• Frank from Spotsylvania, VA asks
  Yesterday, my normal train 308 was delayed an hour. It was so bad, 310 passed it and picked us up. That train then proceeded to be delayed a half an hour itself. I feel those of us affected by that are actually due 2 FRCs, once of our normal train being so late it was effectivly canceled for us, and another for the delayed 310.

  VRE Response
  Unfortunately, we only hand out a single FRC for such a delay.

• PregnantRider from Springfield, vA asks
  What if any accessibility accommodations do you currently offer for the disabled or those needing a little more assistance on the trains? I am currently 7 months pregnant and have a tough time finding a seat on the crowded trains. I inquired about this with a conductor once who told me to make my way to the quiet car to see if maybe there might be seats... This is no easy task with essentially no center of gravity (which happens during pregnancy) and a lurching train. With all the other comfort options you offer, I wonder why no considerations are obviously in place for those needing a little extra assistance?

  VRE Response
  Every train car has accessibility seating available. If you need a seat but can't find one, a crew member will assist you so that you can get one.

• Suzanne from Woodbridge,Va asks
  1. There seem to be more equipment issues lately resulting in delays. Why is that? 2. Why were FRCs not given out yesterday? My train was over 30 mins late.

  VRE Response
  1. Equipment issues usually refer to Positive Train Control related equipment issues. Mechanical issues are used for railcar or locomotive component failure. You can read about PTC on our blog at: https://www.vre.org/about/blog/ptc-related-delays/

  2. If your train was 30 or more minutes late and you didn’t receive an FRC on the train, please fill out our FRC request form found on our website at: https://www.vre.org/communicate-with-vre/contact/free-ride-certificate-request/

• Anthony from Culpeper, Va asks
  The new Rates start in July. I have previous tickets and FRC's from the previous rate. Can I still use those remaining tickets ?

  VRE Response
  Yes. Tickets are good for a year from the date of purchase. FRC's expire in June 2020.

• Kevin from Manassas asks
  Just a couple of questions on your operations. 1. Why do we get a message at 3:09pm that Manassas 336 is going to be 20 minutes late, but it takes you over an hour to send a message that 329 will be 10-15 minutes late due to late arriving equipment? Isn't 336 the turnaround train that becomes 329? 2. Why, when there is a delay for 329 due to late arriving equipment, do you send Fredericksburg down the line ahead of 329? This just adds to pushing and shoving on an already crowded platform as people swap position. Why not take your Fredericksburg line equipment and make that 329 and then use 336 as your Fredericksburg line? Or, why not send 331 equipment as 329?

  VRE Response
  1. Trains can make up time, therefore, we won't put out a delay notice until we know for sure it will be delayed. The last thing we want to do is announce a 10 minute delay and have a passenger show up to the station 10 minutes late only to find that their train made up the time and left without them.

  2. Crews operate on train bulletins that are specific to their train and railroad. Manassas line trains cannot be swapped for Fredericksburg line trains and vise versa.

• Doug from Gainesville, VA asks
  The trains are getting very crowded and there are still a bunch of entitled riders using a second seat for their bags and other personal gear. They count on the fact that the conductor is not around when people ask them to move their stuff and they just ignore the requests. Please, please, please ask your conductors to tell these people to clear the seats when the see the violations and have the conductors check back and keep telling them to do so. It doesn't work to wait until someone needs the seat, because then the conductor isn't around and it doesn't happen and the entitled jerk gets to keep their second seat.

  VRE Response
  Doug,

  One of the duties of the conductor is to enforce bags on the seats.  We will brief all crews to enforce this rule as they walk through the train.

• Sterling from Sunny road asks
  Can someone please tell me how my ticket money is divided up? (Like, 15% goes to workers, 20% goes to railroad improvements)? I'm not looking for specifics, just a general overview.

  VRE Response
  Hi Sterling,

  You can find the full budget here:

  https://www.vre.org/about/financial-information/

• Tina from Stafford VA asks
  Are there plans to add more southbound trains leaving Lorton between 1:36 and 3:51? That is quite a long time. Thank you

  VRE Response
  Adding a train in that time slot is something that we are looking at, however, that 1:36 p.m. to 3:51 p.m. time slot is currently occupied by Amtrak trains.

• Kim from Burke VA asks
  Two questions this morning. 1) why does the engineer for Manassas Line train 324 feel the need to blast the horn when arriving in the station right along the platform. It's not consistent when it is done. What is the reason for this since other trains I have ridden do this. 2) what is the philosophy of making multiple trains late due to the lateness of one train. For the past three days, ML train 324 has arrived on time in Alexandria then Fredericksburg arrives, we pull out and then proceed to go at a snails pace for the rest of the trip. I am already taking one train earlier to work because VRE has been so inconsistent in on time performance but I don't want to have to start taking the first train in.

  VRE Response
  1. The new (PTC) Positive Train Control system automatically blows the horn based on the train's location. The engineer in turn acknowledges the horn with a slight pull in order to stop it.

  2. CSX dispatchers often have trains pre-aligned based on schedule, so if 2 trains come in at approximately the same time, the already aligned train will go first. Otherwise, it takes an extra 12 minutes to time down the signals and re-align the switches.

• Norm from Fredericksburg, VA asks
  Who is responsible for the upkeep of the FBG station? Even basic cleaning appears to be lacking.

  VRE Response
  The City of Fredericksburg handles most cleaning, but we have our contractors assist as necessary.  If you notice specific issues, we are happy to coordinate the work getting done as we did recently with elevator cleaning.  Just drop us a note at GoTrains@vre.org and we'll get it taken care of.

   

• Shravan from Fremont California asks
  Hi, some how my mobile number is getting alerts about VRE. I haven't registered anywhere. How do I stop it? Looks like someone who assigned my mobile number earlier registered

  VRE Response
  Send in your phone number to gotrains@vre.org and we can unsubscribe that number from our alerts.

• Rock from Leeland River Estates, Virginia asks
  Maintenance of the dirt road entrance to Leeland Station is a joke. Gravel was spread into a washboard pattern and now it is like driving across a plowed field. You said the gravel lot was being turned over to VRE before. It is time to pave the roadway instead of just kicking up the dirt and crowing about it. There are many improvements that could be made at Leeland Station. How long will it take?

  VRE Response
  The lot is owned by the property developer and leased on our behalf by Stafford County.  We cannot make permanent changes to the property but did add gravel to try to address concerns about potholes.  We will ask our Facilities Manager to take a look at it again.

• Ralph from Burke asks
  Is the storage track just south of Lenfant Plaza being used? Wasn't it completed over a year ago?

  VRE Response
  Thanks for the question Ralph.  The track itself has been completed, but we still have a project underway to install wayside power so the trains may be connected to power during storage instead of leaving the locomotives running.  In addition, the access to the tracks was impacted by a construction project on the adjacent property, so we need to make sure their work is complete and the crews, mechanical and security staff will have access to and from the area.  We will let everyone know once the storage tracks are in operation.

• Dave from Woodbridge, VA asks
  I wrote a very positive email to the VRE about the train crews on the Fredericksburg line both north and southbound. Not one crew member has ever received even a positive remark from the mismanagement team. I do understand that they are employed by Keolis (spelling) however one companies failure to lead their teams to success has now resulted in two companies failing to lead their people. Any chance I can get a lame excuse from anyone on this?

  VRE Response
  Thanks for the feedback Dave.  Every comment related to crew members regardless of the comment is forwarded to the Keolis Transportation Managers.  We cannot research the specific email without more detail.  If you would, please forward the original email to gotrains@vre.org and put Online Forum in the subject line, we can find out what happened and who it was assigned to.

• Vera from Alexandria asks
  I love VRE, and may stick with you even after Metro reopens. I also appreciate the courtesy of longtime passengers to a newbie. My question: Is the conductor's car always in the same location, or should I ask? I like riding it because it guarantees a step-stool at Alexandria's low platform.

  VRE Response
  Hi Vera, welcome aboard!  We're glad you are enjoying the service.  Trains do not always stop with the same cars on the platform.  The conductor may ask the engineer to put a different car on the platform if they have a passenger who needs assistance detraining who may not be able to walk between cars.  Your best bet is to check with the conductor and let them know you'll need the use of the step box at Alexandria.  They will make sure you are in the correct car.

Good Afternoon and welcome to the July edition of the Online Forum.  Joining us in the studio today are Paul and Gerald from Keolis, Kim from Amtrak, and Brian from CSX.

In reading through the questions submitted earlier, there are quite a few comments on recent trends in On Time Performance and the number of “equipment” related delays.  We’ll try to address those two specific issues here.

On Time Performance – We have documented and explained the challenges we have been facing relative to On Time Performance several times and in multiple formats over the past few months.  While the length of delays has dropped, and the root causes of delays has changed, the number of trains delayed is still too high.

The implementation, rollout, and familiarity period for the Positive Train Control System was the biggest factor driving poor on time performance in March, April, and into May.  The system is now in full operation, crews and railroad dispatchers and staff are more comfortable with the changes in operation which have resulted from the system, and the recovery from PTC related delays is quicker.  PTC is, however, still a new system with periodic software updates and changes, so we expect there to still be occasional issues with individual trains or pieces of equipment just as with any other form of technology.  We will continue to work to minimize these issues.

The primary causes of delays over the past month have been weather related or due to rail traffic congestion which usually is a result of weather-related issues.  Last week, we had 67 delayed trains.  Only 10 were related to PTC issues.  We had only 5 trains delayed more than 30 minutes, and those were all due to weather issues.  One was a tree down, and the other 4 were due to a combination of heat and track maintenance.

On a typical day when heat orders are in place, the Fredericksburg Line afternoon trains will reach Spotsylvania more than 5 minutes behind schedule.  This is simply due to the requirement to operate at slower speeds.  From an OTP standpoint, that means 7 of the 16 daily Fredericksburg line trains will be considered late. 

The congestion delays happen because the heat orders often extend to areas south of our service area and north of Union Station.  This means freight and Amtrak trains which are scheduled to arrive in our service area at specific times are delayed.  The dispatchers are then faced with the challenge of intermixing a higher number of trains, moving at slower speeds and this often results in congestion.

You will still see some delays designated as “equipment” issues.  This is meant to be a more generic term because in real-time we may not know the exact cause of the delay.  Once a more thorough investigation is complete, we are able to update the root cause.  This does not mean there are mechanical issues with the trains. In actuality, we have very few mechanical issues.  We did have one this week on Monday on Fredericksburg Line train 315.  Unfortunately, the issue caused the fuel pump to stop working, and since it was the final train of the evening, we had no other trains to couple with.  We brought a protect locomotive from Union Station, but the process took a long time.

The root cause of the fuel pump failure was found and, as is the case anytime we experience a mechanical issue, the entire fleet was inspected to make sure a similar issue would not affect another train.

We truly apologize for the current on time performance and continue to work diligently on the issues within our control.

Now, on to the other questions.