August

• Mera Cole from Manassas, VA asks
  Does the monthly ticket have to have "reduced" printed on the ticket. It indicates the age of the passenger which I consider to be personal information. Since tickets have to be shown at all times while on the train, it is exposed for everyone to see. Please advise. Thank you.

  VRE Response
  The "reduced" designation on the ticket is simply an indicator the passenger qualifies for reduced fare based on any number of qualifying factors. It does not specifically refer to age. It allows proper fare inspection onboard the train.

• Bob from Manassas, VA asks
  Due to the covid situation, is there going to be any accommodations made for trip ten and free ride tickets that have expired within the last couple of months? Thanks

  VRE Response
  Thanks for asking Bob. Since each situation is different and multiple factors play a role in what we are able to do, please contact us at 703-684-1001 or through gotrains@vre.org for individualized assistance.

• Scott from Manassas Park, VA asks
  What will the train operation look like when they open it back up for DC employees to return to work? How will the train handle the passenger load and maintain (if at all possible) social distancing?

  VRE Response
  Thanks for asking Scott. We have made quite a few changes - enhanced cleaning procedures, more contactless options, social distancing, hand sanitizers on each train car and at all stations, mandatory face coverings. We will continue to monitor ridership and add cars and trains as ridership increases to manage social distancing. 

• Davin from Woodbridge, VA asks
  Will VRE never print the RIDE VRE magazine again after the pandemic is over? It can go digital in PDF form. VRE could also make a digital schedule or include that in the mobile app. Speaking of which, I read in the board minutes that VRE has awarded a contract to americaneagle.com for a new mobile app. I've seen commercials for that company

  VRE Response
  RIDE will still be printed in small quantities which we can send out to those who request the paper copy, otherwise everything will be available digitally and accessible through vre.org in a pdf version. We also have the schedules available in a digital version and will too make those available in a paper copy upon request.

  We are excited to kick off the next phase of VRE Mobile this afternoon. Stay tuned to all our normal communications channels for updates.

• Davin from Woodbridge, VA asks
  Today, Virginia became the first state in the USA to release a COVID-19 tracing app for both iOS and Android. "Together, we can stop COVID-19 in Virginia!" https://www.androidcentral.com/virginia-releases-first-apple-and-google-powered-covid-19-app-us

  VRE Response
  Thanks for sharing Davin.

• Scooter from Spotsylvania, VA asks
  How is VRE doing financially? Will VRE survive the COVID-19 downturn?

  VRE Response
  We appreciate the concern Scooter. VRE should be able to weather the downturn without any long-term negative effects.

• Dave from Fredericksburg asks
  I can, in normal circumstances, understand your policy for not extended the expiration date on Amtrak Step-up tickets. However, with Amtrak declining to accept VRE passengers, I fail to see a customer-centric reason for declining to extend Amtrak Step-up Tickets.

  VRE Response
  Thanks Dave, as mentioned in an earlier response, how we handle refunds for specific circumstances will vary by case. Please contact us directly at 703-684-1001 or through gotrains@vre.org for individualized assistance.

• Jared from Stafford asks
  Why should I have to wear a mask? It is my right not to. We don't need government telling us what to do. I don't wear seat belts either!!

  VRE Response
  The wearing of face coverings has been recommended by multiple organizations as a way to protect others and reduce the spread of COVID-19. The requirement to wear face coverings onboard our trains and all public transportation is simply an effort to keep everyone safe and healthy. VRE will continue to follow the guidelines and recommendations of the CDC, Virginia Department of Health and others including Executive Orders from the Governors office in our efforts to keep all VRE passengers and onboard train crews safe.

• Lavonda from DC asks
  When will the southbound Manassas train line reopen. We need to do that ASAP as most are heading back to routines with school and work.

  VRE Response
  Hi Lavonda, thanks for the question. We do not have an estimated date for the return to full service which would include the southbound morning train and the northbound afternoon trains on the Manassas Line. The decision will be based on ridership increases on the primary northbound morning service. Please contact us at gotrains@vre.org and we will try to work with you as you prepare to return to your normal commute.

• Gwen from BRISTOW, vA asks
  I saw that the Manasses line trains that normally hold 1051 (?) passengers can only hold 360 to maintain social distancing. As we get closer to being asked to come back to work how will that be maintained? Will people be put on lottery for riding in? Will it be first come first serve so that not all will get on the train? Can you explain how this will be handled?

  VRE Response
  Thanks for the question Gwen. We will keep adding trains/cars to the existing service level to be able to maintain social distancing onboard, until we get back to our full service level. The requirement for the use of face coverings supplements the social distancing efforts and will be even more important as ridership returns.

• Rachel from Fredericksburg, VA asks
  I appreciate all the steps the VRE has taken to allow customers to safely travel during COVID. However, it's concerning when a number of passengers do not wear masks or take them off during the trip. How can the VRE better enforce these rules so that everyone wears masks during the entire trip?

  VRE Response
  Thanks for sharing your concern Rachel. We will ask the Conductors to keep an eye out as they pass through cars. Right now the reports we are receiving indicate nearly 100% compliance upon boarding, with the only exceptions being those with a medical exemption. The current ridership levels also allow for social distancing onboard, but as ridership increases face coverings will be even more important. Good to get those habits established early.

• Walter from Manassas, VA asks
  With the situation with COVID and the expiring tickets people may have, what is VRE doing about that to help those people out who are not essential and travelling in to work right now? For example, with one year expiration, what options are you offering.

  VRE Response
  We're asking everyone to call in for individualized assistance. Everyone's circumstance is different, how they purchased the tickets originally makes a big difference on what we can and cannot do. Just give us a call at 703-684-1001 or email us at gotrains@vre.org and we'll work with you.

Welcome to the August edition of VRE’s Online Forum. Joining us through the virtual studio today are Brian from CSX, Kim from Amtrak, Paul and Gerald from Keolis and a larger than normal contingent of VRE staff.

We are pleased to see more riders resuming their commute on VRE. We will continue to monitor ridership trends to make adjustments to service levels as necessary to maintain the ability to social distance onboard the trains. The trains and platforms are now fully equipped with hand sanitizer stations and social distancing visual cues, and we continue to follow guidelines on the requirement of face coverings. From our enhanced cleaning procedures to the reduction of physical touch points on brochures and an increased push for the use of VRE Mobile as a contactless fare option, everything we are doing is focused on providing a safe, comfortable option for your commute. Any comments, observations or ideas you may have for further enhancements are welcome.

Let’s get on to the questions!