May

• Lauren from Springfield asks
  Can we get better lighting by the main stairs at Rolling Road? Not as much of an issue now, but in the winter it gets dark!

  VRE Response
  We'll have our Facilities Department take a look at the issue.

   

   

• Dylan from Rolling Road asks
  Wondering when track 22 at Union Station is scheduled to be ready for use; quite often the evening VRE trains are held waiting for open platforms....

  VRE Response
  Track 22 will be in service this summer.  

   

   

• Tina from Woodbridge, VA asks
  Can the elevator be cleaned more frequently at the Rippon Station? You see all kinds of things inside. Thanks!

  VRE Response
  Thanks for the question Tina.  We'll have our Facilities crew work with the custodial contractors to make this an area of emphasis.

   

• David from Manassas asks
  In light of the continued low ridership, so you plan to reduce train consist sizes to lower maintenance and wear & tear ?

  VRE Response
  We have no plans to reduce the size of the consists.

• Dave from Manassas asks
  Just an annoyance, but before the arrival of 327 at Union Station, there's an automated announcement that the Fredericksburg train is arriving. It confuses the new-riders and there's really no need for the announcement at all since it's NOT a Fredericksburg train as well as the fact that NO train at all seems to be arriving at that time (except for multiple Amtrak trains of course). Suggest it be cancelled if possible.

  VRE Response
  Dave, the messages are triggered automatically by GPS when the train approaches.  A train may be held just north of the platform despite already triggering the message.  Fredericksburg Line train 305 comes in right behind 327, so that may be causing the confusion.  We'll look at it.

   

• Michael from Fredericksburg, Virginia asks
  I know the tracks are owned by CSX and that limits what VRE has the ability to do. My question is the trash along the side of the tracks, particularly on the east side. Is there any effort underway, or planned, to clean up the trash. Even organizing a volunteer effort might attract riders who appreciate a clean right of way!

  VRE Response
  Michael, we cannot have clean-up crews on the railroad right-of-way next to a live track.  We'll share these comments again with CSX and offer our assistance if they want to coordinate an effort.

   

   

• Jeremiah from Franconia, VA asks
  Why are Track 3 arrivals announced so late? If an outbound train is going to arrive on Track 3 at Franconia/Springfield, why not start the announcment 15 minutes (or more) before the arrival time? This is a real problem for passengers with mobility issues.

  VRE Response
  Great question Jeremiah.  We do not often know when a train will be lined to operate on Track 3 until after they have departed Alexandria.  Once the dispatcher determines the full route, we send the messages.  Conductors are aware when we get short notice, so they are accustomed to making sure everyone has crossed safely before departing.

   

• Steven from Woodbridge asks
  Please adjust the schedule of Train 303 to leave Alexandria at 6:00am instead of 6:05am.

  VRE Response
  Assuming you mean train 300 Steven.  We'll look at an adjustment to 300's schedule so it does not have as much dwell time in the morning at Alexandria, but no adjustment is currently planned.

   

• Ken from Burke asks
  Can VRE sustain itself with fewer riders? Will train times be cut in future? I hope you can keep the early train in Manassas if a cutback. Thanks.

  VRE Response
  Thanks for asking Ken.  We have no plans to cut service, in fact, as part of the Transforming Rail in Virginia effort, we plan to increase service.

   

• Sue from Burke asks
  Last summer the grass at the Alexandria station was only mowed a few times and already this year, the grass is knee high and has gone to seed. When I see that, I feel sorry for anyone with grass allergies. Is this an maintenance oversight or a deliberate decision to save money/be a wildlife habitat/hide the trash area?

  VRE Response
  We have also addressed this issue with the City of Alexandria.  Part of the property is the responsibility of Amtrak and part is the responsibility Alexandria.  We will continue to work with both to make sure the the landscaping is maintained.

   

• Barry from Fredericksburg, Virginia asks
  When the afternoon 308 train arrives at the Woodbridge stop in the evening, the conductor s patiently wait for people to get off the train but then you have some people running through the train at the last minute to get off. Is there anything that can be done so these people can stop rushing to get off the train and holding everyone else up

  VRE Response
  The Woodbridge platform can only accommodate 5 doors from the train.  Typically the first 2-3 cars on our longer sets are off the platform at the south end.  Conductors make announcements prior to arriving at Woodbridge to let everyone know if they are in the quiet car they need to walk back until they find a conductor.

   

• Marc from Brooke asks
  Can you see about getting the stop lines in the parking lot re painted. The people who park closest to the track just come straight down and do not stop for the bisecting lanes and it makes it difficult to get out. Last night this one driver just blew through and didn't even see me.

  VRE Response
  Thanks Marc, we'll have our Facilities team take a look at it.  They are planning some re-striping, but not sure where Brooke falls on the list.

   

• Bill from Manassas park VA asks
  Can we improve quiet car signage? I constantly have to remind folks to be quiet or get off their phones. I know signs are displayed on the sliding doors, but sometimes those doors are already open when boarding from another passenger entering.

  VRE Response
  We'll take a look at it Bill and we'll ask the crews to help out as necessary.  We also have decals on the windows  Those cars are all cycled throughout the train as part of our normal maintenance cycle, so we cannot do more permanent signage.

   

• Rahab from Alexandria , va asks
  When will VRE resolve issue with heat temperature issues that affect train as well as heavy rain issue ? Thx

  VRE Response
  Heat related speed restrictions are a safety measure frequently impacting Fredericksburg Line trains, typically at the southern-most stations on the line.  We do implement a seasonal schedule between Memorial Day and Labor Day which adjusts the scheduled times for specific southbound trains at the stations from Quantico south.  This gives the passengers traveling to and from those stations a realistic time of arrival.

   

• Rahab from Alexandria , Virginia asks
  When will the Amtrak transfer option be available again if VRE has issues ? Thx

  VRE Response
  We are working with Amtrak to reinstate the Step-up program, but do not have a specific date yet.

   

• Chris from Fredericksburg, VA asks
  Is Quantico Station improvements and new pedestrian bridge still on schedule to open in December 2023 as indicated on its project page.

  VRE Response
  Thanks for the question Chris.  The project page is correct, the new island platform and pedestrian bridge are scheduled to be in service by the end of 2023, along with the new third track on the west side of the platform.  There will still be additional work going on though, including track work to realign the existing two tracks through the station through the first quarter of 2024.

   

Welcome to the May edition of the Online Forum.  As usual, we have a crowd here to answer your questions, including representatives from VRE, Keolis, Amtrak, and CSX.  We have pre-answered the questions submitted earlier and will do our best to keep up with those coming in during the hour.  As a reminder, if we don’t get to your question or if you would like more detail please reach out through Gotrains@vre.org and put “Online Forum” in the subject line.  We’ll follow-up.

Let’s get to the questions!