December

• Erman from Fredericksburg VA (I use Leeland Station asks
  Any update on timetable for the new Crystal City VRE station just south of the existing station. Wasn't it part of the new Amazon H2 planning/changes to CC? Thx

  VRE Response
  Thanks for the question Erman, check out our project page for Crystal City: Project (vre.org) for specifics.

   

   

• Erman from Fredericksburg VA asks
  With cold temperatures upon us. Has VRE considered installing a few heaters in the overhead space (below roofed areas) for stations that do not have nearby heated facilities. Leeland, Brooke, Rippon on the F'burg line. These are very standard in Europe etc and would really be appreciated when winter train delays occur again. Thanks for being the best commute option in VA. v/r Erman

  VRE Response
  Thanks for the feedback Erman.  No plans currently for heaters but we'll add it to the list of things to keep in mind.

   

• Mayor Dave from Manassas asks
  Just a thank you. Several years ago a fellow rider said "So your like the mayor of the train?" I have been the self appointed mayor of the VRE for the last eleven years. Thank you for the many rides and friends made through the years. I have been pleased with the crews and entire staff of the VRE and have sold the trains as the very best way to commute. I-66 congestion would have made me lose my mind, I am retiring at the end of this month, so the mayor's office will be vacant until the next election. in the words of Bob Hope, "Thanks for the memories."

  VRE Response
  Thanks Dave, it has been a pleasure.  We were glad to have been able to see you through the years at Meet The Management and sorry we did not get to see you the last couple of years.  Kim says she'll let you say good-bye using her bullhorn on your last day.

  We wish you nothing but the best.

   

   

   

• Mayor Dave from Manassas asks
  Are my pre-submitted questions being answered presently?

  VRE Response
  Yes.

   

• Davin from Woodbridge asks
  Why is when their is an Amtrak train at Alexandria, evening VRE trains have to crawl so slowly into the station? That is not necessary both trains are on different tracks, so their is no possibility of a collision

  VRE Response
  Thanks for the question Davin.  The trains may only proceed at the speed permitted by the governing signals.  

   

• Davin from Woodbridge asks
  Next year will mark VRE's 30th anniversary. Will VRE be having a big celebration?

  VRE Response
  Not quite like we did for the 25th Davin, but we will do something to commemorate.  Stay tuned for details.

• Manassas Dave from Manassas asks
  Thank you for the rapid follow up to my cleanliness email at the Manassas garage this morning. It seems to me, If the City of Manassas is deriving parking revenue from the commuters on the second deck of the garage that the VRE built, Manassas Police should step up patrols at the garage. The skateboarders and bike riders jump on the elevators, ride to the top and run the ramps down for fun. That wouldn't be so bad, but they do acrobatics off of commuter's cars while we are working. I've already mentioned the recent sexual behavior that we have witnessed in the elevators and I have called the Manassas Police several times over these concerns. It is still happening.

  VRE Response
  Thanks Dave, we'll add this to our communications with the City.  We will also have our Facilities group keep an eye on things when they are there between service windows.

   

• Allison from Burke, VA asks
  I'm not commuting at the moment but can I come to my station next week and hand a toy for Toys for Tots to the train conductor? Or is it better to simply donate at the online link?

  VRE Response
  Either way works for us Allison, thank you for participating.

   

   

• Matthew from Fredericksburg, VA asks
  Any word on when the Amtrak step-up program might resume?

  VRE Response
  We do not have any word on resumption of the Amtrak step-up service.

   

• Justin from Fredericksburg asks
  This news schedule is kind of a spit in the face for those of us who have been riding the train all throughout the pandemic. From the lack of communication about it to its implementation, it's been a terribly botched experiment. I ride nearly every day, and I didn't even learn about the change until the Thursday before it took place, and even then it was from MCB Quantico's Twitter account, and not the VRE. That is totally unacceptable. Especially when you moved the busiest train during the pandemic (303) forward a full 30 minutes, and the next train back, creating an hour long gap right when people are getting off work. So my questions are : 1) what does VRE plan to do to better communicate things as important as major schedule changes in the future? You completely upended my work and childcare schedules with 2 business days notice. Unacceptable. 2) Whatnia the estimated timeline, in more specific terms than "in the future" to add a train in that hour-long gap you created by moving the schedules around. 3) why would such a schedule change be made when a new train to fill in the gap at that time of the day isn't ready to Benoit into service? VRE is struggling to regain ridership, and doing its damndest to alienate those of use who never left. I just don't understand it.

  VRE Response
  Thanks for the input Justin. 

  Our goal is to always communicate in as timely a manner as possible and with as much specificity as possible.  This schedule change was a joint effort with Amtrak, CSX, and Norfolk Southern and unfortunately the final adjustments did not allow for more advance notice.  We did send information out a couple of weeks in advance through Train Talk notices and posted the new schedules on our website.  We would have preferred to give at least a month's notice, but it simply was not possible in this instance.

  Our last schedule change was in 2015, when we added the train which was 303 prior to the latest schedule change. Our intent then was to have it split the gap between the midday train and the first afternoon train based on feedback from riders.  As it turned out, we could not schedule 303 as early as hoped and we ended up with 303 and 305 within 10 minutes of each other, and no Manassas line train in between.  The result was a completely underutilized 305.  The current schedule puts 303 in the window we had originally intended. We were also able to have Manassas line train 327 inserted between 303 and 305.  We realize the change will not work for every individual's schedule, but we have received very positive feedback on the change from both Fredericksburg and Manassas line riders.  We are sorry the schedule does not work as well for you.

  As mentioned, this schedule needed to be implemented now because it is done in conjunction with the other railroads as part of  Transforming Rail in Virginia initiative which will ultimately allow VRE to increase service.

   

   

   

• Mayor Dave from Manassas, VA asks
  Can we please get Manassas City to step up patrols in the Manassas garage? Twice in the last month, I have witnessed couples using the garage elevators for sexual activity. The first time the couple was fully unclothed. This is not a joke and they obviously are using it quite often. Today, there is a used condom in the first parking space outside of the first floor elevator. Also, the skateboarders and bicyclists are running the ramps on the garage again which is a recurring problem. Answers, please?

  VRE Response
  Thanks Dave, we'll share your concerns with the City.

   

   

• Kathleen from Fredericksburg VA asks
  Are the trains still being cleaned and how often.? I feel that they are not because I still see crumbs and other things on the seats.

  VRE Response
  The same cleaning protocols implemented both before and during the initial stages of the pandemic are continuing.  If you see something of concern on a particular car, please let us know at gotrains@vre.org and we will address it with the cleaners.

   

   

• Ben from Burke, VA asks
  Hi - when will you be adding additional Manassas trains? My office is requiring us to return to the office next month and the fact that there's an hour between trains during the rush hours is stressing me out. If I miss the train, I could have to wait an hour and be late to work or daycare to pick up my kids.

  VRE Response
  Hi Ben, we do plan to add service, specifically in the gap during the morning service, but we do not have a definite date yet.

   

• Joe from Manassas, VA asks
  I think folks have gotten used to working at home, being by themselves and not being aware or caring of others. The following problem has gotten worse as more riders return to VRE. More and more riders are playing music, video or other causing audio being heard on the train ride. Often several riders are doing making the ride difficult as it's just about impossible to hear conductor announcements, read or simply rest during the train ride. I realize every car is not the quiet car, but Amtrak does have a policy where one must have earphones/earplug on every car if a device is causing audio. Can VRE do the same for the safety and sanity of the other riders?

  VRE Response
  We will ask the crews to address this as they walk through the cars Joe.  Everyone should be wearing headsets, whether in the quiet car or not if they are watching videos or playing games with audio on the personal devices.

   

   

• Pam from Woodbridge, va asks
  I read on WTOP news that ridership is still very low. Do you have any plans of cutting service back again?

  VRE Response
  Thanks for asking Pam.  No plans to reduce service.

Good afternoon and welcome to the final issue of the Online Forum for 2021.  We have representatives from VRE, Keolis, Amtrak and CSX ready to answer your questions and address your comments.  There are not too many questions in the queue yet.  Remember, you can submit questions as early as 6:00 pm the day before the Forum and if you can’t be here live, check the archive of the action at vre.org.

While we are not operating Santa Trains this year, we will still be participating with the annual Toys for Tots drive.  Next week on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday we will be collecting toys onboard all morning trains.  Cash donations will not be accepted onboard but we encourage everyone who wishes to give to do so directly with Toys for Tots.  The link for donations is on our website and will be included in all the Train Talk reminders.

Let’s get on to the questions!