April

• Alan from Burke, VA asks
  While I understand that you need to work with the companies that own the tracks, it seems to me that 8 AM is a pretty standard time to need to be at work, but, for the Manassas line, it's right in the middle of an hour-long dead spot in the schedule, with earlier trains running 20 minutes apart. It would be great if that big gap could be reduced.

  VRE Response
  Thanks for the comment Alan, please see the response to Tasha's question earlier.

   

   

• Tasha from Manassas, va asks
  Will VRE continue with the same hours since the switch in Dec? Will we ever go back to the old Hours? There is an hour wait between the manassas 328 and 330 train which is very significant considering the time it arrives in the city. Is there consideration to add a train in between??

  VRE Response
  We will continue with the current schedule for now. The gap between those two trains is there to accommodate an additional train, once ridership levels increase to a point where we can add  it.

   

• Dave from Woodbridge asks
  How many daily riders does VRE currently have compared to pre-pandemic numbers?

  VRE Response
  Our current ridership is approximately 25% of our pre-pandemic level. Fortunately, the daily ridership numbers are increasing and we anticipate this to continue for the foreseeable future. 

   

• Davin from Woodbridge, VA asks
  In a forum, someone suggested that VRE operate shuttle trains when Metro closes the yellow line bridge for repairs this fall. Could VRE work with WMATA on this?

  VRE Response
  VRE is part of a regional group working with WMATA to help mitigate the impact of the upcoming yellow line projects.  We'll do whatever we can.

   

• Davin from Woodbridge, VA asks
  Just to let you know, the lights at the south end of the west (Route 1) platform at Woodbridge station don't work

  VRE Response
  Thanks. We plan to replace the lights on the west platform (Route 1 side) and have been working through the permitting process. You should see changes soon. 

   

   

• Davin from Woodbridge, VA asks
  The VRE Mobile app still does allow me to purchase a ticket. It broke in January and still hasn't been fixed. An error appears at checkout and the select Payment Method button doesn't work. So, I have to purchase a ticket online.

  VRE Response
  Thanks Davin.  We know Katy has been working with American Eagle on your specific issue.  We'll get an update on resolution ETA.

   

• Carlos from Manassas, VA asks
  The VRE has plenty of trains going into L'Enfant station in the morning, but if you get sick or have an emergency, you need to wait for the 1:23 p.m. train to go back home (6 hour wait). Can't there be trains at 9 & 11 a.m. for the return trip south bound?

  VRE Response
  We would like to add reverse flow trains to our service. In the long-term, the Transforming Rail in Virginia initiative will provide the capacity we need to add the type of service you suggest. Unfortunately, in the short-term we are limited to the quantity and type of service we can add. 

   

   

• Davin from Woodbridge. VA asks
  If ridership increases over the next few month, will VRE go back to 8 car trains?

  VRE Response
  Yes, as ridership increases we will increase train lengths to accommodate riders on the higher utilized trains. 

   

   

• Davin from Woodbridge, VA asks
  Does VRE have anything special events planned for its 30th anniversary in June?

  VRE Response
  We are currently reviewing and finalizing a few opportunities to memorialize VRE's 30th anniversary in 2022.  We will also be bringing back Meet The Management this year, and will publicize the dates soon.

   

   

• Michael from Fredericksburg, VA asks
  I just browsed the March 2022 questions & notice that VRE answered "No date has been set for reinstating the Amtrak Step-Up program." so to preempt the same response this month, Why has the Amtrak Step-Up program been suspended, low VRE ridership? If so, what is the ridership threshold to reinstate the beloved Amtrak Step-up program?

  VRE Response
  Thanks for the question Michael.  Amtrak suspended the program during the pandemic to help better manage their onboard social distancing and other mitigation efforts.  Part of reinstating the program is a requirement to have passengers utilizing the step-up option to be listed on the manifest for each Amtrak train.  As mentioned earlier, we are working with Amtrak to address this requirement without affecting the ability for last minute use of the step-up option.

  The step-up program has always been a way to add system capacity and convenience for VRE riders which is one of the reasons we subsidize the purchase of the step-up tickets.  While capacity is not currently a factor, we do still want to add the frequency and convenience back to our schedule.  We are just not at a point right now to be able to say when the program will resume.

   

• Michael from Fredericksburg, VA asks
  Please offer us some hope that the Amtrak "step up" ride option is coming back soon!

  VRE Response
  Thanks for the interest Michael, please see the response to your next question for more info.

   

• Barry from Fredericksbrg, Virginia asks
  Is VRE currently paying for the overflow gravel lot at Leland Road Station. I am asking because since the pandemic the overflow lot has been a storage lot for commercial trucks and various companies that use the other to park their trucks

  VRE Response
  The gravel lot at Leeland Road is leased by Stafford County for use as a commuter lot, including for overflow from the VRE lot.

   

• Marc from Leeland Station asks
  When will the mask mandate end? What are the VRE's plans after April 18th with seating on the VRE?

  VRE Response
  The current federal mask mandate is set to expire on April 18th.  There will be no change to seating plans onboard the trains.  Despite the increases in ridership, there is still opportunity for social distancing if you choose and of course masks are always optional, even after the mandate expires.

   

• Dave from Tappahannock, VA asks
  Why can't you reinstate an (unsubsidized) Amtrak step-up program. Some of us with bad backs find it difficult and painful to ride VRE.

  VRE Response
  We are currently working with Amtrak on some technical changes required for the Step-Up program so VRE riders can be added to the manifest for the Amtrak trains.  We do not have a set date for when the program will resume.

   

• Sean from Spotsylvania, VA asks
  With the (wonderful) uptick in ridership, parking lots are filling in again. In Fredericksburg, the intersection of Charles St. and Lafayette is especially perilous for pedestrians crossing from the parking lot at Kenmore. Can something be done with the city to make this intersection safer to cross on the south side of the street?

  VRE Response
  Thanks for the question Sean.  We'll share your comments with the city and see if there is something that can be done.

   

   

• Dhramen from Woodbridge, VA asks
  From 28 March to today 05 April, the Fredericksburg morning train has been 5 - 9 minutes late to the Rippon station 6 times. Occasional delays now have become routine. What can be done to improve punctuality?

  VRE Response
  There has been some maintenance of way activity between Leeland Road and Rippon which has caused temporary speed restrictions in the area.  The speed restrictions may create minor delays at the midline stations, but the trains are generally able to make that time up through the remainder of the trip.

   

• James from Burke asks
  Glad to be back after two years but I see the Manassas schedule is different than pre-pandemic. Is this change permanent or will you be adjusting it yet again anytime soon?

  VRE Response
  We did a schedule change last fall working with Amtrak and our host railroads as part of the Transforming Rail in Virginia project. We do not anticipate any near-term changes to the schedule.

   

• Beth from Manassas, Va asks
  I understand that the reduced Fare applications are taking longer but it's getting into the ridiculous time frame of not hearing anything back, 2 months since submission. Will we at least hear back if we are NOT accepted?

  VRE Response
  Thanks for writing in Beth.  We apologize for the frustration.  There was an issue with your original application, but we sent you a temporary card/number to be used in the interim.   We will have someone contact you today to help get this resolved. 

   

Good afternoon and welcome to the April 2022 edition of the Online Forum.  Some of us are back in the physical “studio” this week, and based on our increasing ridership, many of you are participating from your offices.  It is great to see some of the familiar faces back on the trains and to welcome the new riders who have chosen VRE for their commute.

We have the regular crowd assembled to answer your questions including representatives from VRE, Keolis, CSX, and Amtrak.

Let’s get to the questions!