During the work week, nearly a hundred thousand commuters rely on the Virginia Railway Express to get them to and from work safely. The information contained below will help you understand more about train safety and security and how you can help ensure a safe ride for yourself and your fellow passengers.
Basic Safety
At VRE we take safety very seriously. From the parking lots and garages to the platforms and the trains, you can stay safe by practicing these 18 basic stafety steps:
- Do not walk on train tracks or on ballast.
- When on foot, cross tracks only at designated pedestrian crossings.
- Behind the wheel, cross only at highway at-grade rail crossings.
- Never go under or around crossing gates in the lowered position.
- At the stations, stay behind the yellow bumpy tile on the edge of the platforms.
- Stay as far back from the edge of the platform as possible when trains are passing through.
- Never attempt to get on or off a moving train.
- Use seat back handles and handrails when walking though trains.
- Never leave children unattended.
- Hold your child’s hand when boarding or exiting the train.
- Do not block railcar doors from closing.
- Never lean on rail car doors.
- Do not stand between railcars or on stairs while the train is moving.
- Park in designated areas only.
- Have your car keys in your hand as you approach your car.
- Always lock your car.
- Never leave valuables inside your car.
- If you drop something on the tracks, do not try to retrieve the item yourself.
Safety On Board
When boarding any VRE rail car please familiarize yourself with the safety information and emergency procedures displayed on board.And remember that our train crews are specially trained to help you stay safe in an emergency situation.
In the event of an emergency, you can notify a member of the train crew through the passenger emergency intercom unit.Each car has three of these, on in each onboard restroom and one on each side of the vestibule stairs.
Train evacuations are extremely rare. Historically, most VRE train evacuations have been related to passenger medical emergencies.
Each train car is equipped with emergency tool kits. These are located in the gallery car stair wells.Each kit contains a fire extinguisher, pry bar, a hacksaw, a glow stick, and a first aid kit.
Each train has at least one automatic external defibrillator (AED) in the cab car.AEDs can restore the heart’s normal rhythm to a person experiencing sudden cardiac arrest until paramedics arrive.
In case of emergency, remain calm and follow the instructions of the train crew.
Thank you for your cooperation.With the continuing support of our riders, we can ssure a safe, pleasant commuting experience for everyone on board the VRE.For more information on train safety and all other customer inquiries, please call (703) 684-1001.
The CAST Program: Commuter Awareness for Safe Travel
In an effort to protect our onboard community, VRE instituted the Commuter Awareness For Safe Travel program (CAST).Passengers are asked to help in providing a safe travelling environment for all passengers by familiarizing themselves with these five basic steps:
Be Aware
Watch for the unusual.If you encounter unattended packages, devices or vehicles left near station entrances or stairways, or persons acting in a suspicious manner, notify the VRE conductor first.Call 911 if the conductor is not immediately available.
Be Informed
Read the safety information posted by the VRE.Learn the emergency procedures on trains and platforms and the locations of emergency exits.Introduce yourself to the conductor on your regular daily commute and remember his or her name.Pay attention to the National Homeland Security terrorism alerts.
Be Prepared
Develop a plan in advance to maintain contact with the other members of your family in the event of an emergency.Select a third party outside the region as a contact so that family members can relay messages to one another.Keep a copy of all your emergency contact information and update it frequently.If you have health conditions that emergency medical personnel would need to know, consider wearing a medical alert bracelet or necklace.
Be Safe
Don’t put yourself in a dangerous situation.If someone or something is making you uncomfortable, don’t hesitate to move out of the immediate area.When on the train, alert the conductor of the situation.When on the platform dial 911.If you can, warn others and help them to safety.
Be Smart
Stay calm, think clearly and listen for conductor announcements.In an emergency, tend to your own well-being first, then assist fellow passengers.Follow the orders of police, fire department and other emergency officials quickly and quietly.
VRE’s Gallery Rail Cars
VRE’s gallery cars and a fulfillment to our customers to make VRE the most comfortable and state-of-the-art ride possible.These new cars have more spacious 2-2 seating on the lower level and single seating on the upper level.Amenities include push button doors, automated wheelchair lifts, automated destination signs and stop announcements, and luggage and parcel racks.
Train Evacuations
Train evacuations are extremely rare. In the event of such an incident our train crews have been trained extensively on safe evacuation procedures from the bi-level gallery cars.
Each trian car is equipped with emergency tool kits, located in the gallery car stair well. Each kit contains a fire extinguisher, pry bar, a hacksaw, a glow stick, and a first aid kit.
The emergency windows in the bi-level cars are easily identified by a red handle with instructions. By pulling the red handle, you are removing the window’s weather stripping. The windows can then be placed inside the car, away from the exit window. The upper level emergency windows are positioned so that they are not directly above the lower level emergency windows.
Exit Options
- If possible move to the next rail car through the emergency doors at the end of the rail car. Make sure that there is another rail car attached beyond the emergency exit door before stepping through.
- Exit the train through vestibule doors, located in the enter of the train car. These are the doors that were used to board the train.
- Exit the train through one of the emergency windows (this should only occure if your are unable to evacuate through a door). There are four emergency windows on the upper level and four emergency windows on the lower level of each bi-level car.