Navigation

June

Thank you for all the great questions. Looks like everyone is ready to return to their offices/work locations.  We look forward to seeing everyone out there.  In the meantime, stay tuned to vre.org and our Train Talk alerts for updates on service level, schedules, and any additional details on the return to a new “normal”.

Stay Safe, Stay Healthy.

Rich, Chris, …et al.

  • Commuter from Manassas Park asks
    In the past VRE has emphatically stated it cannot easily add cars or add trains due to other rail traffic and negotiated agreements. Now it sounds as though it will be no problem to add cars or trains for social distancing, have CSX and Norfolk Southern already agreed to lengthen or add service as needed?

    VRE Response
    Nothing has changed. We still are limited on the number of cars we have, and the number of trains we can run. The difference is, right now we are operating at an "S" schedule level with some 8 and 6 car trains. As we scale back up to full service, we could do it in phases by adding cars to the 6 car sets, or adding a round trip on each line, all in a sort of phasing until we get back to our pre-COVID, full service level.

  • Diane from Woodbridge, VA asks
    I assumed that the unused transit subsidy was going back to the Federal Government. I pay the bill for my Office - Legislative Branch - and I NEVER see my unused portion returned. Any idea where in the Federal Government?

    VRE Response
    We believe it is the US Treasury, but we can confirm. Please drop us a note at gotrains@vre.org and we'll get the specifics for you.

  • Kathy from Fredericksburg asks
    When the rate for the Amtrak step-up ticket dropped to $4, during the Metro improvement project last year, many of us stocked up on enough tickets to cover us through September 2020. Because of the current situation, we have been unable to use such step-up tickets and they have since expired. What plant does VRE have to reimburse us or provide an exchange of these expired paper tickets?

    VRE Response
    Sorry Kathy, Amtrak Step-Up tickets are handled differently from VRE fare media. We pay Amtrak full price for those tickets when they are printed.  At the time those tickets were produced, we paid Amtrak $13 for each ticket. If we print replacement tickets, we will again have to pay Amtrak more than $13 for each. This is why we do not refund or replace Amtrak Step-Up tickets.

  • Edwin from Fredericksburg, Virginia asks
    Good afternoon, I really wish that VRE would consider allowing retired Law Enforcement Officers participate in the Law Enforcement Officers' free ride program. I am familiar with the program and would love to volunteer my services, given the fact that I recently retired from a local police department and now commute to Alexandria every day.

    VRE Response
    Thanks Edwin, we'll share your contact information with our Safety and Security Administrator.

     

  • Bonnie from Fredericksburg asks
    Will the seats be blocked for social distancing inside the cars? Or will it be expected the riders should handle this and be respectful to others? At least as we phase the re-entry back in?

    VRE Response
    We will have decals on seats which should not be occupied as well as on the aisle floor for social distancing when waiting to detrain or when walking through the train. We would like all riders to be respectful of others and work with us to keep everyone safe and healthy.

  • Marc from Brooke asks
    I have read the Governor's declaration, for stores, he says not wearing a mask is not criminally punishable, but the director of health can deal with the store's license to operate if there are a lot of offensives. What is VRE's stand on wearing of a mask? Is it mandatory? Will there be a special car for those whom do not wear a mask? Will you deny them the ability to ride the train without a mask? Is VRE going to provide a mask for those people who do not have a mask? Also, please elaborate on the twice a day cleaning?

    VRE Response
    Yes, face coverings are required onboard VRE trains and at VRE station platforms, with exceptions as noted in the Governors Executive Order 63. The onboard train crews have the ability to ensure passengers who are exempted from wearing a face covering are properly adhering to social distancing. VRE has a limited supply of face coverings for front-line personnel and we do not anticipate providing them to passengers at this time. Finally, all passenger cars in regular service receive a thorough cleaning and disinfecting each night after they return from service. High traffic and touch point areas are cleaned during the mid-day layover period after morning service. 

  • Erman` from Fredericksburg, VA (Leeland rider) asks
    Can you confirm that our April Monthly tickets can now be used during month of June without further action. Thx

    VRE Response
    Yes, if you received a paper monthly ticket in April from CommuterDirect but were unable to get it turned back in for refund or credit, you may use it for travel in June. The conductors are aware and will accept the April monthlies through June 30th.

  • Peter from Fredericksburg, VA asks
    Does VRE have capacity to add rail capacity (more trains or additional cars per train) to assist with social distancing?

    VRE Response
    VRE is currently operating a reduced "S" schedule. Currently, we have approximately 600 average daily riders. To assist with social distancing, we will have seats blocked off and other visual cues to manage social distancing. Once we reach approximately 3,000 average daily riders, we will increase the number of trains to again, help manage social distancing. We anticipate the guidance for social distancing, combined with the requirement for face coverings to evolve as well, so we are preparing to adjust our plan(s) as necessary. 

  • DJ from Crystal City asks
    Planning ahead - what kinds of social distancing enforcement is VRE going to be able to provide once offices begin to open fully and ridership picks up? Before the pandemic, certain trains were often standing room only, nose to neck. In the new reality, this cannot happen. And the idea of sitting in alternate seats, alternate rows (example) isn't feasible once ridership picks up. My commute is the major part of returning to work that is giving me major anxiety (over and above the actual virus). I appreciate your thoughts.

    VRE Response
    Thanks for thinking ahead DJ. Our plan is to base our return to normal service when we need the additional capacity to give us the best opportunity to maintain the social distancing efforts.  Normally, our "S" schedule service can comfortably accommodate 8,000-9,000 daily rides. With social distancing considerations, it may be more like 3,000. We plan to lengthen some trains, and then increase the number of trains up to our normal service level, as ridership increases. As further guidance for social distancing and the wearing of face coverings evolves, we will adjust our plan as well. Finally, our ultimate goal is to keep everyone safe and healthy.

  • Bonnie from Fredericskburg, VA asks
    As the re-entry begins for the federal gov't will the trains go back to the full schedule? You know I love the express. Thanks.

    VRE Response
    Nice to hear from you Bonnie, we're looking forward to getting everything running again, including the very popular 300. We'll see you out there.

  • Davin from Woodbridge, VA asks
    I receive your Train Talk emails in my Gmail account. However, the text in the body of the email goes the entire length and off the screen, so I have to scroll over to the right. Alert emails that I get from Prince William Government don' t have this problem. Can you fix that so the text goes to the next line instead?

    VRE Response
    Not sure what the issue is Davin, but we'll check to see if there is a setting we can adjust.

  • Davin from Woodbridge, VA asks
    Northern Southern doesn't belive heat restrictions are necessary the way CSX does. Instead of implementing heat restrictions on the entire line, why not just monitor the tracks and put restrictions in certain sections were necessary? Also, some sections of tracks are in shady spots during certain times of day

    VRE Response
    Heat restrictions are in effect for an entire subdivision and cannot be broken down to limits. Rail temperature will not be changed due to shade as welded rail has a great deal of force in it as the rail expands and contracts. The heat in the rail is constant even in a shade as the steel conducts the heat. For more information about heat restrictions, please go to the VRE website https://www.vre.org/about/blog/understanding-the-need-for-heat-restrictions/.

  • Diane from Woodbridge asks
    When the transit benefits assigned to VRE Mobile Ticketing are not used where does VRE return the money?

    VRE Response
    All unused benefit dollars allocated through SmartBenefits are returned to the Federal Government at the end of the month.

  • Davin from Woodbridge, VA asks
    Back in January, VRE announced the state of VA would finalized the rail deal this summer and that VRE may be able to add a turn around train as soon as July. It is this still on schedule this summer?

    VRE Response
    The Virginia Rail Improvement Plan does include the potential for VRE to operate additional trains. Given the current health emergency and the affects on current and near term ridership, VRE is not planning to add additional trains as allowed for in the plan until we have a clearer picture of what ridership will look like in the short term. We anticipate more information later in the calendar year. 

  • Rainman from Caroline County Virginia asks
    Any anticipation as to when regular service will resume? Thanks.

    VRE Response
    Previously answered.

  • Davin from Woodbridge, VA asks
    Is Meet the Managent cancelled this year? I see you have not done it yet this year. It is unfortunate that it cannot happen

    VRE Response
    Thanks for the question Davin. We normally begin the Meet The Management series in May, but due to the current circumstances we were not able to do so. We'll get it rescheduled in some format as soon as it makes sense to do so.

  • Jeff from Fairfax asks
    Is there a plan to return to normal service? If so, when is that expected?

    VRE Response
    See earlier response.

  • Rusty from Alexandria, VA asks
    Will every other seat be empty for social distancing? Will be people be able to stand when the train is moving? What happens to people trying to board when the train is at the new max occupancy (mainly evening trains)?

    VRE Response
    Great question Rusty. We will have social distancing measures in place both onboard the trains and at our station platforms. Check out our blog at https://www.vre.org/about/blog/what-to-expect-in-the-coming-weeks/ for more information.

  • Clark from Vienna, VA asks
    Will masks be required to board VRE?

    VRE Response
    Yes, face coverings are required both onboard VRE trains (and all public transit in Virginia and elsewhere) as well as at our station platforms.

  • Dave from Woodbridge, Va asks
    When VRE gets back to the regular schedule will there be any changes to train times?

    VRE Response
    No planned changes to our schedule Dave. The only adjustment we've made is implementing the seasonal schedule for the stations from Quantico south on the Fredericksburg line to more accurately reflect arrival times when heat related speed restrictions are in place. See https://www.vre.org/service/schedule/.

  • Dave from Woodbridge, Va asks
    When does VRE anticipate it will go back to a full schedule? August? September?

    VRE Response
    Great question Dave. Our plan on ramping back up to full service is dependent on several factors including ridership levels and our ability to maintain social distancing efforts onboard the trains, so we do not have a specific date. It will, however, be on a Monday so stay tuned to vre.org and Train Talks for specifics.

  • Marie from Fredericksburg asks
    Are you working with MCB Quantico who are planing a recall of Federal Employees so that VRE commuters have time to get their monthly passes activated ?

    VRE Response
    Check out the response to the last question Marie, hopefully it will help. If not, give us a call at 703-684-1001 and we'll help you through your specific situation.

  • Lisa from Spotsy asks
    When the federal Govt gets recalled back to work what is the plan to get VRE Monthly passes back to the riders if its at the middle of a month or towards the end of a month? Some have electronic tickets and others have paper tickets. What can riders expect and how do they notify VRE to get their passes mailed to them?

    VRE Response
    Thanks for the question Lisa. For those using VRE Mobile, the 31-day passes stay in their "My Tickets" wallet for one year until validated, then they expire 31 days after the validation.  If you receive a monthly pass by mail, it comes from CommuterDirect. Anyone who had purchased a monthly pass through CommuterDirect for April but was unable to use it due to the COVID-19 response may utilize that pass for June. Any other questions regarding the handling of your account through CommuterDirect should go directly to them at 703-228-RIDE (703-228-7433) or CommuterDirect.com.

    For anyone else, if you purchase a paper monthly, after the 9th of the month it is more economical to use 10-Ride tickets to finish the calendar month. If purchasing on VRE Mobile, you can validate a 31-Day Pass on your first ride and be good to go for 31 days.

  • steven from Manassas, VA asks
    In OCT 2019 I purchased 4 AMTRAK step up tickets at the Crystal City Commuter Store. Monday when I used the 3rd one the conductor said that I am supposed to use the VRE APP to purchase step up tickets and he will take the paper ticket this time. Can I use my last paper step up ticket on AMTRAK?

    VRE Response
    Paper step-up tickets may be used in conjunction with appropriate paper or VRE Mobile multi-ride tickets. If you encounter any issues using your last paper step-up, send us a note at gotrains@vre.org with the Amtrak train number and the conductor's name. We'll make sure they have the correct information.

     

Good Afternoon and welcome to the June 2020 edition of the Online Forum. We hope everyone continues to be safe and healthy.

Joining us in the virtual studio from points throughout our service area are Transportation and Mechanical Managers from Keolis, Brian from CSX, Kim from Amtrak, and several other VRE staff members.

VRE is ready for the gradual return of ridership. We are adding signage and other visual cues at platforms and onboard the trains to help everyone maintain social distancing, we are installing hand sanitizer stations on platforms and onboard the trains, and we are enhancing the already robust process of sanitizing the trains. As we see ridership increase, we are ready to make adjustments to the service level which will make more seats available and will get us back to our pre-COVID-19 schedule.

As a reminder for anyone who is now returning or plans to return soon, face coverings are required to be worn at our station platforms as well as onboard the trains in accordance with Governor Northam’s Executive Order. The conductors are doing their part to keep everyone safe and healthy and we ask our riders to do the same by following the guidelines.

Thank you to everyone who has been riding and to our frontline train crews and all other staff and personnel who have enabled us to keep VRE service operating.    

Let’s get on to the questions.