Weekend Service, Fare Increases Proposed For Virginia Commuter Rail

ALEXANDRIA, VA — Virginia Railway Express could get weekend service for the first time under a budget proposal for the commuter rail. A proposed fare increase is also proposed in the budget.

The commuter rail service currently only runs weekdays on its lines between Manassas and DC and Fredericksburg and DC. According to a preliminary budget memo, VRE's operations board and stakeholders gave positive feedback on possible Saturday service starting in fiscal year 2025, which begins on July 1, 2024.

The preliminary proposal calls for three round trips on each of the Manassas and Fredericksburg lines. That would total 12 one-way trips on Saturdays, compared to 32 one-way trips on weekdays.

Saturday service must also be approved by the hosting railroads and other stakeholders. The start date of weekend service would depend on agreements with VRE's three host railroads.

"VRE staff are working closely with the key stakeholders to determine how best to deploy resources – both people and equipment – to provide the new service at a minimum cost," wrote VRE CEO Rich Dalton in a memo to the VRE operations board. "The preliminary expense budget includes an order-of-magnitude estimate of the cost of additional Saturday service, but this figure will be refined in the coming months through additional service planning and discussions with VRE’s partners."

VRE's preliminary budget for fiscal year 2025 would total $119.9 million, which covers operations, maintenance, and existing debt service. In addition to possible Saturday service, VRE's budget could introduce its first fare increase since fiscal year 2020 (3 percent increase).

VRE is proposing to increase one-way fares by 5 percent for trips starting or ending outside zones 1 to 3. For example, a $10 fare from Quantico or Manassas to DC would increase by $0.50. If the budget is approved, the fare increase would take effect on July 1, 2024.

VRE could make a reduced flat fare of $5 permanent for travel between zones 1, 2 and 3. The reduced fare was introduced as an incentive for commuters impacted by the Metro Yellow Line shutdown and was extended. Zone 1 stations include Union Station and L'Enfant Plaza, Zone 2 stations include Crystal City and Alexandria, and Zone 3 stations include Backlick Road and Franconia-Springfield.

VRE currently allows children 10 and under to ride free with a paying adult, while youth between 11 and 18 can get discounted tickets with a reduced fare ID. The preliminary budget proposes youth 18 and under to ride free with a paying adult. A final decision on the budget could determine if that could apply to multiple children riding with a paying adult.

Another proposal calls for eliminating the seven-day/weekly pass, which VRE says is underutilized. VRE currently offers a 10-trip pass with more flexibility than the seven-day pass.

VRE's operations board will vote on the fiscal year 2025 budget on Friday, Dec. 15. That budget will be referred to VRE's two parent commissions, the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission and Potomac and Rappahannock Transportation Commission’s boards for approval in January 2024.

Public hearings will be held:

• Monday, Oct. 16, 12 p.m.-1 p.m.: WMATA Headquarters (near VRE’s L’Enfant station), 300 7th Street SW, Washington, DC 20024
• Wednesday, Oct. 18 from 6 p.m.-7 p.m.: Manassas Museum (walking distance from VRE’s Manassas station), 9101 Prince William Street, Manassas, VA 20110
• Thursday, Oct. 26 from 6 p.m.-7 p.m.: Fredericksburg City Hall (walking distance from VRE’s Fredericksburg station), 715 Princess Anne Street, Fredericksburg, VA 22401

Spanish-language and American Sign Language interpreters will be available upon request at least five business days before the public hearing by emailing publiccomment@vre.org.

A virtual public presentation will also be held Tuesday, Oct. 24 from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. on VRE’s YouTube channel.

Residents can provide public comments at the public hearings, by email to VRE FY 2025 Budget Public Comment, 1500 King Street, Suite 202, Alexandria, VA 22314; email to publiccomment@vre.org or by phone to 540-524-2662.