March

• Dirk from Manassas, VA asks
  Did you hear about the Mexican train killer?He had loco motives.

  VRE Response
  and on that note....we'll call it a day.

• Dale from Burke asks
  Will you do more meet the managers events this year? At all the stations?

  VRE Response
  We have Meet The Management events scheduled at all stations from Franconia/Springfield north to Union Station.  Other stations will be scheduled as we get updates on projects or other activities we want to share.

• Chris from Fredericksburg asks
  Can I take a scooter on board?

  VRE Response
  Scooters which can be folded are permitted on any train, just like the collapsible bicycles.  Other scooters would need to follow the same rules as full-sized bicycles. This includes not riding the scooters and the station platform. 

• Stephen from Fairfax, VA asks
  How has your outlook on VRE Mobile changed now that your vendor is scaling back?

  VRE Response
  Thanks for asking Stephen.  We think this is an opportunity to improve the rider experience by allowing us to add functionality to VRE Mobile beyond just ticketing.  Stay tuned for updates.

• dave from manassas, va asks
  will the new Status Board display the time as well?

  VRE Response
  Yes, synched to USNO time.

• Davin from Woodbridge, VA asks
  This is exciting to see the new expansion plans in Virgina. Their is room for a third track from Lorton to Woodbridge between the 2 existing tracks, so when will CSX start building the third track?

  VRE Response
  We anticipate updated schedules,that will include the sequencing for construction of adding additional tracks. We will share this with you later.

• Dave from manassas, va asks
  tie replacement this summer at Manassas station?

  VRE Response
  We have not received the full schedule for tie replacement of other work this summer on the Manassas line yet. Once we do, we will let you know if the scheduled work will affect VRE trains.

• Davin from Woodbridge, VA asks
  What is the status of the south storage track at L'Enfant Plaza?

  VRE Response
  We have no immediate need to use the L'Enfant south storage track, but do see potential opportunities in the near future. We will let you know when we are prepared to start using the L'Enfant south storage tracks. 

• Sierra from Manassas, VA asks
  Hello. I asked the last forum, but never really saw or can find an answer. Is there any hope for a train on the Manassas line Southbound between the 325 and the 327? If you bring the 322 Northbound, you really have no train southbound to leave the city after an 8 hour work day. Adding a train around 230pm/3pm would greatly break up that +2 hour break between the 325 and 327. Thanks so much for your hard work. =]

  VRE Response
  We are currently working on updated service plans that affect the Manassas line, in addition to the Fredericksburg line. We have already identified having a southbound departure time before the current 327 departure time is an opportunity for us. Thanks for your feedback. 

• Diana from Culpeper, Virginia asks
  I was just wondering why arrival times differ for stops? I remember when we would get to L'Enfant at 6:05 a.m. Then it changed to 6:09 a.m. and now 6:11 a.m. or 6:17 a.m. I don't understand the inconsistencies in times. I understand the P.T.C. and the other trains we have to wait for but, there must be a better way. The excuses have always been the P.T.C. or waiting for CSX etc. I don't work in DC I have to continue my travel on the metro to get to Maryland to work. It is extremely frustrating when connections cannot be made. Thanks

  VRE Response
  Diana, the earliest train we have scheduled departs L'Enfant at 6:16 am (Manassas Line 322), the schedule has not changed since we opened the Spotsylvania Station in November of 2015. As a result of more passengers originating their trips at Alexandria, we removed the "L" designation from the Alexandria station.  This means trains which may have arrived early are no longer permitted to depart the Alexandria station because there are now passenger connections at the station for the start of their trip.  If the Fredericksburg Line train 300 is there at about the same time, we will permit 322 to depart early.

• Davin Peterson from Woodbridge, VA asks
  Please remind people do not open the vestibule door so early and keep holding it open or keep it open after the conductor opens it as he passes through. The door should stay closed until the train arrives at the station.

  VRE Response
  Thanks Davin for the courtesy reminder. 

• Alex from Fairfax asks
  Will your new alert system be integrated into your mobile app? Would like to use it for more than my tickets.

  VRE Response
  Great question Alex, the short answer is yes. The longer answer is the functionality will not be available immediately but is something we are working towards. One of the reasons the new system was attractive was the potential ability to push notifications through the app. We share the desire to have VRE Mobile become more than just a ticketing app. We want to be able to enhance the rider experience by integrating multiple feeds into the app.

• Tee from Woodbridge, VA asks
  Why have your machines been down for an extended period of time? I have missed two trains in the past two weeks due to the machine not being able to process my ticket purchase. In addition, you have no signs on them regarding the technical issues (specifically at Woodbridge on the track closer to Rte 1 and Union Station). Why hasn't this issue been fixed?

  VRE Response
  The ticket vending machines are experiencing a sporadic issue with specific debit cards. The system provider has collected debug files and hopes to have the issue resolved in the next day or so. In the meantime, conductors have been briefed to be aware of passengers who may have had difficulty purchasing tickets due to this issue.

• Richard from Fredericksburg asks
  As I understand it from the conductors, they get demerit points for any unplanned day out with the majority of the points being docked on Fridays and Mondays. If a crew member is sick, they are sick should not be out contaminating the rest of us whether is the flu, coronavirus or any other illness. I fully understand that some folks tend to take advantage of situation. With the coronavirus on the horizon, this policy will tend to spread the illness and leaves me, as well as other passengers, quite concerned.

  VRE Response
  Richard, the crew members are employed by our contractor Keolis Rail Services of Virginia. As with any employer, there are personnel guidelines related to attendance. We do not want anyone coming to work if they are feeling sick. The conductors are expected to be responsible in making decisions on whether to come to work, just as anyone else is.

• Lisa from King George, Virginia asks
  What is being done about the about the "Guaranteed Ride Home" service provided when departing from 550 Railroad Ave, Quantico, Virginia 22134 I have attempted to use this service twice, years apart. Most recent attempt was 12 Feb 2020. Both attempts to use the "Guaranteed Ride Home" service was very disappointing and left me stranded. Both times, I have had to arrange for my own transportation from Fredericksburg, Virginia back to my vehicle at Leeland Station. Either from a combination of catching Amtrak(step up), taxi or hitch-hiking.

  VRE Response
  We're not sure what the issue has been Lisa, but we will be happy to share your comments with Commuter Connections who administers this region-wide program for any registered commuters. Please send your contact information to us at gotrains@vre.org and we'll get you in touch with someone at Commuter Connections to assist.

• Marc from Brooke asks
  Can you please have the conductor tell the people standing at Ripon getting off at Leeland to please not block the way for those getting off at Brooke?

  VRE Response
  Thanks Marc, queuing is a continual issue. The Keolis Transportation Managers will brief all crews again, but if you have specific train and car information, please let us know at gotrains@vre.org and we can address with the specific crew separately.

• Deb from Woodbridge, VA asks
  About the disabled freight train on 2/21/20, why were they using the track for the VRE at that time? I thought other trains were not allowed to use the tracks designated for VRE during operation. It was very frustrating to not arrive home until 11 p.m. on a Friday. I think 2 free ride tickets should've been given that evening as opposed to only 1.

  VRE Response
  Thanks for the question Deb. We apologize for the inconvenience to those on Fredericksburg Line train 315 on the 21st. Freight trains can operate on either track, in either direction. While there are plans which will help keep the freight and passenger trains on separate tracks, infrastructure changes are needed to make it happen. Please see the press release we put out in December at https://www.vre.org/about/pr/vre-applauds-commonwealth-csxt-agreement/ for more information. We will also include an article in the next edition of RIDE magazine available online this afternoon https://www.vre.org/about/ride/issue-1-2020/ and onboard the trains either later this week or early next week.

• Richard C from Manassas Park asks
  Whatever happened to the much touted daytime storage space in DC south of L'Enfant? I've never seen a train stored there, and for 2 years we've dealt with at least two cars without a platform exit in the morning, resulting in 3-4 mins to exit the train. Not to mention the Union Station riders clogging up the aisles forcing people to miss the L'Enfant exit.

  VRE Response
  The signal location at L'Enfant which resulted in a change in how our trains platform was to enable the use of the storage track north of the station. This track has been in use since the change which allowed us to discontinue a deadhead move.

• Connie from Dumfries, VA asks
  When the South Bridge station is complete will the Express train add a stop to their schedule. Maybe add Quantico station. Just a thought.

  VRE Response
  Thanks for the question Connie. We do not have any current plans to add a stop to 300 when the Potomac Shores station opens, but will consider all options when adding the station to our schedules.

• Nihir from Gainesville, VA asks
  Your conductors don't enforce queing, or say anything to people who stand in the vestibule on the Manassas line what are you going to do about it? Based on the answer I might return to taking the VRE

  VRE Response
  Tell us at gotrains@vre.org what train this is occurring on and at which stops, and we can address it with our crews.

• Maureen from Alexandria, VA asks
  What can I do to get a response about an item left behind on a train? I submitted a report twice for the same lost item and never heard anything. If I recall correctly, the online form I used indicated I would receive a response within 24-48 hours, but 6 weeks have now passed.

  VRE Response
  We will contact a passenger only if an item matching the description in the report is found. That said, you are welcome to contact us at 703-684-1001 or write to gotrains@vre.org with your information and we will be happy to do a follow up on your lost item.

• Brenda from Woodbridge asks
  Why can't I purchase as use the VRE SmartTrip card for parking fees at the Springfield/Franconia Metro station? Because of medical appointment and after hours meetings, I Drive to that station several times a month and catch the VRE from there to Union Station instead of Woodbridge because it saves time. please explain why only those persons living in Springfield/Franconia are the only ones eligible to receive the card that they put their own money on.

  VRE Response
  In an agreement with Metro which allows VRE passengers to pay the lower Metro Rider rate at the Springfield parking garage, it was stipulated the reduced fare could only be offered to VRE passengers who utilize the station everyday, using a multi-ride ticket originating in zone 3. VRE provides the special SmarTrip card for free and must verify the continued approved use by those holding multi-ride tickets each month.

• Daphne from Burke VA asks
  Is the VRE formulating plans to address impacts from the Coronavirus such as more rigorous cleaning routines for the trains or whether it will continue to run all trains if many riders telework for a period of time?

  VRE Response
  Please see the link provided earlier for information on the Coronavirus. We have no current plans to alter our schedule or level of service. That being said, if ridership drops we would consider changing the level of service like we do during the December holidays with an "S" schedule.

• Sean from Spotsylvania, VA asks
  Last month you discussed rolling out the new model of Status Board as a pilot in Fredericksburg. I've seen the new board and I have a few follow up questions... Why show the destination of the Northbound Regionals as Washington instead of New York or Boston? This is confusing for Amtrak passengers also boarding. Also, why not show ALL trains? Amtrak passengers traveling on the Carolinian and Silver Meteor should get their trains posted as well.

  VRE Response
  Thanks for the question Sean. The Amtrak data right now is just a placeholder and is based on the current VRE and Cross Honor Amtrak trains. We are waiting for Amtrak to finalize their data feed so the system will show all Amtrak trains and their final destination. The work should be in place in the next few weeks.

• Robert from Leeland River Estates asks
  What can done with the dirt road entrance at Leeland? The potholes and gullies just keep getting bigger. What does it take to fix this permanently?

  VRE Response
  The gravel lot at Leeland is owned by the developer and leased on VRE's behalf by Stafford County. There may not be a permanent fix, but we'll ask our Facilities Manager to see if his contractors can smooth things out.

• Jack from Brooke asks
  What is VRE doing to sanitize the cars to reduce risk of Coronavirus exposure on the trains?

  VRE Response
  Great question Jack. We recently added a blog entry to our website on this very subject. Check it out at:

  https://www.vre.org/about/blog/coronavirus-health-and-safety-guidance-on-vre/

• John from Springfield asks
  What metric do you use to access "on time" as displayed on your your train status app?

  VRE Response
  A train is considered on time if it arrives at the final station within 5 minutes of the scheduled arrival time. Since trains have the ability to make up some time enroute, we will generally not post a delay time at midline stations unless we know the delay will be significant. The challenge is, for example, if we post a 5 minute delay for a train at Springfield, but the train is able to make up some of that time, passengers who show up 5 minutes later than the train's scheduled departure may actually miss the train.

• Tracey from Lorton, VA asks
  Why are so many cars parking at the Lorton lot overnight? Is that allowed? If so could a section on the sides and not the middle be designated for them? I'm sure this must happen at other lots and I understand riders even doing this but there should be designated areas for overnight parking of vehicles.

  VRE Response
  Thanks for the question Tracey. It does happen at some other lots, but not to the extent it does at Lorton. Many commuters leave a car at Lorton to drive to their final destination. 

Welcome to the March 2020 edition of the Online Forum. Joining us today are Paul and Gerald from Keolis, Kim from Amtrak, and Brian from CSX.

Let’s just get straight to the questions!