November

• Dave from Manassas VA asks
  If questions come in that for time-reasons cannot be addressed during the forum, can they be collected and answered online as a "post-forum" feature? I've asked a few questions in the past that seemingly went into a black-hole...

  VRE Response
  As always, if your question was not answered or if you have additional follow-up, please contact us at GoTrains@vre.org and put “Online Forum” in the subject line.

• VRE Fan from Spotsy asks
  Add Sat service.Fan (SK)

  VRE Response
  Thanks for the feedback.

• Dave from Manassas VA asks
  I recently turned 65 and am now eligible for the reduce rate monthly fare (purchased at the Manassas 7-11). I'm glad for this consideration, but It seems that I will have to continue purchasing the ticket in-person in order to continue with that rate. Are any plans (such as a pre-certified account on the app) that could make in-person purchase of the ticket unnecessary? Thanks.

  VRE Response
  You can get the reduced fare authorized on VRE Mobile so the fares are always at the discounted rate.  Just contact Jennifer at our office (703) 684-1001 and she'll take you through the process.

• Vince from Manassas Park asks
  Is ridership up on 327? I board in Alexandria and it has been especially crowded over this past week , standing room only, to include the vestibules.

  VRE Response
  Yes, ridership is up on 327.

• Dave from Fred Line asks
  It would be great if you all could have an earlier departure time for the 300 Express.

  VRE Response
  Thanks for the feedback Dave.

• Broan from Bristow, Ba asks
  Any word on WiFi for the trains?

  VRE Response
  There are no current plans to have WiFi on the trains.

• Tina from Springfield, VA asks
  Are there plans to update or replace the ticket vending machines? The first machine at Rolling Road charged my credit card $237 and did not print my November monthly ticket. This may get me to switch to the App, but doesn't help me this month. I reported the incident on 10/29, I'm still waiting on resolution. I was told that the Accounting department is behind and "if" they find in my favor I'll get a refund. I've been a loyal rider for the past 3 years and generally love the train experience. Please make customer service a priority.

  VRE Response
  Sorry for the issues Tina.  The Ticket Vending Machines are all being upgraded.  We did find a sporadic issue with the backend of the system which the contractor is working to fix with our finance group.  If you were mischarged, we will get the refund to you.  Once the back end issue is resolved, the remaining TVMs will be upgraded and all of these issues should go away.

• Jake from Fred asks
  please remind the conductors to ask folks to keep the vestibule doors closed. Many riders hold the doors open to chat across the vestibule or with conductors who are standing in the vestibule. If this courteous rule has changed, please let us know so we can stop asking for the doors to be closed to keep the temperature in the car constant.

  VRE Response
  You are absolutely right Jake.  As mentioned earlier, the crews will be briefed on this tomorrow.

• Davin from Woodbridge, VA asks
  Transportation is a hot issue in Virginia. I read in InsideNova that Del. Elizabeth Guzman, D-31st, who won the race sad she wants to see VRE weekend service. Many people have asked and iIt's frustrating that VRE officials continue to refuse weekend service, while MARC offers it and that VRE did NOT offer a train to the Nats parade Saturday while MARC did

  VRE Response
  Thanks Davin and we agree. Transportation in Virginia is a hot issue, particularly in the I-95 and I-66 corridors we parallel. We also agree part of the solution is more commuter and passenger service, including weekend service for VRE. As stated previously in this forum and others, once more network capacity is funded and constructed, the ability for VRE to operate more service, including the weekends, could become a reality. This would also increase VRE's ability to operate special trains, on very short notice, such as the Nats parade. MARC offers weekend service, and other special trains, because of their ability to operate on the Penn Line and not on the freight corridors, similar to VRE.

• Davin from Woodbridge, VA asks
  According to your consist page, Train #309 has more riders midweek than Train #311, so why does Train #311 get 8 cars while Train #309 has 7 cars? Train #309 should be 8 cars instead of Train #311 as we have people standing after Crystal City.

  VRE Response
  Ridership patterns tend to change seasonally.  If the trend of 309 carrying more passengers continues, we will look at making an adjustment.

• Davin from Woodbridge, VA asks
  On Monday, when the Manassas train was delayed due to leaf oil, why did the dispatchers choose to delay Train #306 for it. We arrived at Alexandria before the Manassas train and should have gone first. If it hadn't been for this, train #306 would have been on time.

  VRE Response
  Depending on how the dispatcher had things lined up, if they had to take a signal down to allow 306 to depart first, both trains could have been delayed for 10-15 minutes, so it is often better for both trains to not change the signals.

• Davin from Woodbridge, VA asks
  When is the new VRE mobile coming out? We thought it was supposed to come out in October

  VRE Response
  Thanks for the question Davin.  We're working on a couple of last minute issues and hope to have the new version out in the next few weeks.

• Elizabeth from Spotsylvania, VA asks
  Can we please do something about PDA? There is a couple that gets on 307 at Lenfant and spend the majority of their ride making out. If you get stuck near them you get 50 minutes of what sounds like people slurping soup from their make-out sessions.

  VRE Response
  We'll add PDA to our rotating list of courtesy reminders on Train Talks and RIDE magazine.

• Raif from Lorton, VA asks
  Any concern over the ever growing washed out CSX service road maybe 100 yards north of Franconia, appears it would also support track 2? Thanks in advance.

  VRE Response
  Brian says, Engineering is in the process of redesigning and will be repairing the culvert soon. Structural support is sound.

• Chuck from Broadrun VA asks
  Why don't the trains pull up to the platform earlier? They used to do this but now it seems that we are loading right at the time we are supposed to be leaving (5:50am from Broadrun station train 322) or even later which means we won't be on time right out of the gate. Long time rider - 15 years.

  VRE Response
  The pre-trip inspection/departure process has changed so there may not be as much time to arrive at the platform early.  At the origination stations (Spotsylvania and Broad Run) we do try to have them at the platform a minute or two prior to departure.

• Kathy from Brooke asks
  I know that many of the conductors are sports fans and this time of the year football is really big which I appreciate -- I'm a football fan myself. With the cold forecast to come in tomorrow for the duration, is there anyway to convenience the conductor on 312 to not stand in the vestibule chatting with passengers about football while both vestibule doors are held open? This has happened three out of three days so far this week from Woodbridge to after leaving Springfield.

  VRE Response
  The Keolis Transportation Managers will brief all train crews on this tomorrow morning.

• David from F asks
  What is being done to the platform at the Alexandria station, and when will the stairs to the station platform be reopened?

  VRE Response
  The City of Alexandria is handling the project, repairing/replacing concrete around the station.  At a meeting this morning they shared plans to pour concrete and have stair access back in 2-3 weeks.

• Erin from Woodbridge Va asks
  The status for trains in the app seems to be broken since daylight savings - it shows trains from an hour later etc. Will that fix itself soon?

  VRE Response
  Sorry Erin, the Train Status mechanism in VRE Mobile has not performed as expected and will be removed from the app with the upcoming system upgrade. While we look for another way to provide real-time arrival estimates, you can utilize the VRE.org link from the App home screen to access our Train Status map. It will at least show you where the next train is.

• Tracey from Richmond VA asks
  Any discussion on extending the stations pass Spotsylvania to maybe closer to Richmond. I will be living in Richmond and working in Bethesda, MD. Looking for ways to commute.

  VRE Response
  There are no plans to expand VRE south of the Spotsylvania Station at this time. You might check to see if the regional Amtrak trains to/from Richmond would work for you.

• Sue from Alexandria asks
  Any ETA on when the platform lights will be fixed at Alexandria? Makes a long piece of the platform dark for almost all the evening trains now that daylight savings time has ended.

  VRE Response
  The work going on right now at the Alexandria station is being done by the City of Alexandria.  They have informed us several bulbs were blown due to the electrical work.  Most have been replaced but additional bulbs are expected to be replaced today.  

• Brad from Burke, VA asks
  What is the history of having the trains numbered in the 300s? Would it not be easier for riders if the two lines were separated in numbering, for instance Fredricksburg 100s, Manassas 200s?

  VRE Response
  Amtrak trains contain IDs in the 100's and freight trains contain ID's in the 200's and 400's. That is why we have been designated the 300 numbers. That said, train numbers are separated: 300's and 310's are Fredericksburg line trains and 320 and 330 numbers are Manassas line trains. Even numbers are used for northbound trains, and odd numbers are used for southbound trains.

• Brian from Fredicksburg, VA asks
  The price difference of a monthly pass between starting at Brooke Road and starting at Quantico, while ending at the same location is $40, because they are in different zones. This price jump drives customers to your competitors. Why is there such a price jump between just 1 stop and why can't the price be spread equally among all stops?

  VRE Response
  Our fares are based on zones. Our tariff states: 01.08.00 FARE ZONE INCREMENT – Established at $.72, the amount added to the base fare for each additional fare zone traveled (i.e., cost of one, full fare journey between Crystal City (Zone 2) and Union Station (Zone 1) is $6.35 (Base Fare) plus $.72 (one Fare Zone Increment) = $7.07, rounded up to the nearest $.05 = $7.10).

  Brooke is zone 8 and Quantico is zone 6 (zones are based on distance), so the single ride difference is based on 2 additional zones.

• Concerned from Stafford asks
  There is a guy on the second car on 306 clipping his nails and filing them. What can be done about stopping that in the first place?

  VRE Response
  We can send out courtesy reminders asking riders to groom themselves at home. Hopefully, this will help.

• Donald from Bristow, VA asks
  Can you please put a stop to people who stand the whole ride on Manassas 327 in the evening? Riders are unable to get to a seat when boarding, unable to detrain, and unable to access the restroom without pushing through these inconsiderate people. At stops, they end up obstructing everyone in the vestibules, in the aisles, and on the stairs. One woman sits the whole ride on the stairs every single day. There are plenty of seats available. They are only doing this so they can be "first" off the train when they finally get to their stop at Manassas. This is a huge safety problem and downright inconsiderate of their fellow riders.

  VRE Response
  Thanks for the feedback Donald. We will address this with our train crews.

• Brad from Spotsy asks
  Train 302 is rarely on schedule from Quantico north. Do you plan to adjust the schedules to match reality or fix the cause of the delay? Making up the time by Union Station doesn't help people that miss a connection at Lorton or Springfield because the VRE was late.

  VRE Response
  Yes, we are currently reviewing operations data to inform us on how we can adjust our schedules. This process will take a few more months.

• Murali from Bristow asks
  Is it possible to add another train at 9.0am so that one parent can drop kids at school and take this train. Another train around 2.0pm, helps people to get doctors appointments without taking a day off.

  VRE Response
  Our current agreement with our host railroads only allows us to operate trains within a certain window of time. Unfortunately, a 9 a.m. train is outside that window. Also, the slot available to operate a 2 p.m. train is currently occupied by an Amtrak train. Once the longer term capacity enhancement projects become funded (e.g. Long Bridge) and constructed, this will open up more opportunities for us to operate more trains.

• Shannon from Manassas, VA asks
  Can you have the mobile app and VRE.org offer the same thing?? It's very frustrating to go to the mobile app and not be able to see the train status/gps, the schedules, fares or much else really if I don't want to buy a ticket. I don't ever need to purchase a ticket here so the app isn't really helpful to me? Or am I missing something? I do like seeing the distance away in minutes that the train is but that's not on VRE.org right? Thank you!

  VRE Response
  Thanks for the comment Shannon. You can get to the status map through VRE Mobile by clicking on vre.org in the map. It will link you to our home page where you can check schedules, fares, and train status. The current Train Status option on VRE Mobile was a test of predictive analytic software which has not been as accurate at we had hoped during delays.

  In the next month or so, we will be upgrading the mobile app to a new platform and the Train Status link will go directly to the map we show on the website and the station monitors, while we look for other options in real time arrival reporting.

• YC from Springfield asks
  Has there been any consideration to re-configure the parking lot at Rolling Rd. to add more parking spaces in the same lot size? e.g. one way lanes with slanted parking spaces, tighter parking spaces, etc. Even adding 15 or so spaces would help a lot, and this would be easier and faster than building a garage.

  VRE Response
  Yes. Fairfax County is responsible for the parking lot and has been working with our Engineers on plans to improve parking concurrent with our project to extend the platform.

• Bob from Burke asks
  It seems like many of the coaches are creaking and moaning like old western stagecoaches. Is this a maintenance issue? Many of them are quite loud.

  VRE Response
  A train can squeak for several reasons. For one, the friction during a curve caused by steel wheels on steel rail or the friction caused by the steel couplings which connect one car to the next.

  Squeaking is not limited to just VRE cars. It can happen to any train where steel meets steel. Weather conditions and temperatures are the most prevalent factor in the cause of these sounds.

• Bob from Burke asks
  Question regarding the train that is stored just north of L'Enfant Plaza on the side track. Why does VRE keep it "idling" all day long? Seems like a waste of fuel and not great for the environment.

  VRE Response
  We do have wayside (ground) power at the location so we don't have to keep the locomotive running all day. There is also a mechanical person on site so there may be times when the locomotive is idling to facilitate work or other system checks that are occurring.

• Deafened from Burke, VA asks
  I have sent this question to GoTrains three times and have not received a response. In the past, when Train 326 is approaching the Rolling Road station, the conductor sounded the horn as the train rounded the curve a hundred or so yards away. Lately, the conductor adds a second horn immediately (like 10-25 feet) before the platform. The sound is excruciatingly loud for those at the end of the platform waiting to board. Why can't the second horn be eliminated entirely, done at lower volume, or done (much) farther away?

  VRE Response
  Thank you for the question. The horn is sounded automatically on all trains due to the pedestrian crosswalk at the north end of the platform. We are working with all engineers on a way to handle the horn signals both in timing and loudness to minimize the impact for the passengers on the platform. The Keolis managers here will continue to work with specific engineers.

Good Afternoon and welcome to November’s edition of the Online Forum.  Joining us in studio today are managers from Keolis for both the crews and the mechanical staff, Kim from Amtrak (the Station Manager at Union Station), and Brian the trainmaster from CSX.

We would like to thank everyone who has joined us onboard the trains for discussions and questions.  This is a great opportunity to have your questions answered in person and in a little more detail than we may be able to do here on the forum.  To see who is out there check https://www.vre.org/about/staff/talkontrain/

Thank you also to everyone who participated in the Communications Survey last Wednesday onboard the morning trains.  We received over 4500 responses and most importantly great feedback and suggestions on ways to keep improving our overall communications.  The results have already been tallied and will be released next week as part of a follow-up effort through VRE.org, Train Talks, and RIDE Magazine.  The scores are helpful, but the constructive, actionable comments is where we hope find ways to help improve the communications and better align our efforts with the passenger’s expectations.  This is also a great opportunity to help educate our passengers on how and why we do things the way we do.  Stay tuned for how you can participate in those efforts even more.

Let’s get on to the questions!