August

• Erman from Fredericksburg asks
  With COVID restrictions and telework in place for roughly 18 months, how has reduced ridership impacted investment projects for VRE long-term improvements. Is there a budget short-fall and if so how will it impact the VRE service.

  VRE Response
  To date, there has been no negative fiscal impact to our long-term improvement projects and we continue to execute our long-range plans. We currently have no budget shortfall. We were fortunate to receive federal aid through the CARES Act, CRRSAA and ARP for the loss in fare revenues and strategic investments.

• Pat from Fredericksburg asks
  Why aren't the conductors handing out the FRCs when the trains are delayed more than 30 minutes? There were a couple of times over the past two weeks and none of the conductors were handing out the FRCs, thank you.

  VRE Response
  Thanks for asking Pat. With the exception of one Manassas Line train on July 19th, we are showing conductors gave FRCs on all trains delayed by 30 minutes or more. If you were on a delayed train and did not receive an FRC, please let us know the date and train number at gotrains@vre.org. We'll get one out to you.

• Davin from Woodbridge, VA asks
  Why has VRE added any new features to VRE Mobile? The app still asks me to use (validate) ticket everytime I open the app

  VRE Response
  Thanks for the question Davin. There is an update coming which will help eliminate the confusion on validating tickets which are already validated.  We are also getting ready to launch the web portal option so tickets can be purchased from your computer and pushed to the phone. We will continue adding to the functionality and integrations to the app.

• Davin from Woodbridge, VA asks
  Is VRE planning to add 2 new train the schedule in the fall?

  VRE Response
  Great question Davin. As part of the Transforming Rail in Virginia initiative, VRE does have the option to add a round trip on each line in the near future. We have started planning for the additional trains and we will be working to add those trains as soon as practical. In the meantime, we do plan to adjust the schedules in the fall to accommodate those train slots and to make a few changes riders have been wanting. Exciting stuff, so more info to follow as we firm up the timing including specific dates for implementation.

   

• Davin from Woodbridge, VA asks
  Last month, why did it take 2 hours to fix the signal at the Union Station? VRE originally estimated 30 minutes. Too bad, VRE doesn't have a backup plan when trains can't leave DC

  VRE Response
  Sorry for the inconvenience Davin. It was a rough afternoon for all involved. The root cause of the signal issue was a broken piece of rail, and getting the piece cut out and replaced created issues which extended the time of repair. Unfortunately, this particular switch/signal made it impossible for VRE and MARC trains to get into the terminal.

• Tyler from Woodbridge, VA asks
  When will the Rippon Station parking lot be cleaned up? Currently, the parking lot has numerous pot holes, nails, large amounts of concrete/gravel, uneven roads and trash. It's a health and safety issue.

  VRE Response
  We'll have our facilities contractor check it out. We know there has been a good amount of construction out there which may account for some of the debris but we'll get it addressed.

• Bob from Manassas VA asks
  I work for a Federal agency and was informed that unused SmartBenefits allocated to VRE mobile are not returned to the government, meaning I would have to reimburse the agency for those unused benefits. What is the reason for that policy and are there any plans to set up a process to refund unused benefits to the government?

  VRE Response
  Sorry Bob, looks like you got bad information. All unused SmartBenefits allocated to either VRE Mobile or to our vendor locations are returned at the end of the month to the government.

• Adam Edwards from Fredericksburg, VA asks
  Not really a question. Just wanted to say thanks to the VRE for continuing to run during the pandemic times. Having a reliable and comfortable way to get to work is a real plus in these times.

  VRE Response
  Thank you for the nice comments Adam. We are happy to be able to provide the service. We'd also like to recognize the onboard train crews, VRE staff and all contracted service providers who have been out there for the entire pandemic. We also appreciate our riders who are frontline and essential staff and have continued utilizing the service.

• Teresa from Manassas, VA asks
  Need trackside hand-sanitizer dispenser(s) refilled regularly...at least one (outside the garage) has been empty for over a week.

  VRE Response
  Thanks Teresa, we have notified our Facilities crews.

• Tom from Manassas, VA asks
  The only place to buy VRE tickets for Broad Run, Manassas, and Manassas Park besides the vending machines on the platforms is a 7-11 down the street from the Manassas station. I'm glad to have that available, but it seems that the ticket-console there is broken/offline a lot. Do these devices (at any location) get regularly-scheduled maintenance?

  VRE Response
  Thanks for writing in Tom, we do have two full-time technicians from our fare collections vendor who perform frequent preventive maintenance and can respond to any location same-day or at least within 24 hours. We have not received any calls from the 7-11 in Manassas regarding issues with the equipment, but will reach out directly to them today.  You can also purchase tickets through VRE Mobile. If you do experience any issues whether at the platform or at a vendor location, just drop us a note at gotrains@vre.org or call us at 703-684-1001 and we'll get a technician dispatched.

   

• John from Fredericksburg asks
  I'm sure this has been asked before so you probably have a prepared response, is there a plan to add WiFi to the VRE?

  VRE Response
  WiFi onboard our trains would be dependent on a cellular signal. On the Fredericksburg Line, if you have tried to use your cellphone between Fredericksburg and Rippon, you know the coverage is inconsistent at best. The Manassas Line has similar issues. VRE has decided to not implement a service which we know would not be a quality experience throughout the entire territory. We will continue to look for quality solutions, but as of now, we have no plans to implement WiFi.

  Thanks for the question John.

• Mera from Manassas, VA asks
  With reported increase in COVID-19 cases in conjunction with the onset of the Delta Virus, will the VRE again place stickers on passenger seats and train platforms to promote social distancing?

  VRE Response
  We will be prepared to do whatever is necessary. Currently, ridership is still low enough to social distance if you choose to. We also encourage riders to check out the ridership trends at https://www.vre.org/service/rider/train-utilization-trends/ so you can see which trains have the most available capacity.

• Melanie from Woodbridge, VA asks
  I understand the mask mandate is in effect until September 2021. With the rise in COVID cases, do you anticipate maintaining the mask requirement? This will definitely impact my decision to continue riding.

  VRE Response
  Thanks for the question Melanie,

  We will continue to have the mask mandate in place as long as it is a state or federal requirement to do so. The other efforts put in place through the pandemic related to equipment cleaning, hand sanitizer dispensers, contactless literature and more will remain in place as long as necessary.

Good Afternoon, welcome to the August 2021 version of VRE's Online Forum.  Our virtual studio is well staffed with representatives from VRE, CSX, Keolis, and Amtrak, and we are ready for the questions. Ridership continues to slowly increase and it is great seeing more of you back on the trains. As a reminder, questions for the Online Forum may be submitted as early as 6:00 pm the day before the Forum and if you cannot stay with us for the duration, you can check our archive of answered questions at https://www.vre.org/about/online-forum/

Let's get on to the questions!