STAFFORD, Va. — At a meeting that drew just three participants concerned about the future of Virginia’s only commuter railroad, higher fares, wifi, and trains packed with riders were top of mind issues.
Virginia Railway Express held the public meeting in advance of a proposed 4% fare hike that could take effect July 1. With it, the cost of single ride tickets and monthly passes would go up.
But crowded rail cars were on the minds of some who spoke, especially the cars on VRE’s morning express train 300 which leaves Fredericksburg at 5:05 a.m. on weekdays, serves stops in Stafford County and the Woodbridge VRE station, but doesn’t stop again until Alexandria. Some mornings the train is standing room only by the time it reaches stops in Stafford County, said Will Morrison of Falmouth.
VRE stores trains after their morning runs at Washington’s Union Station. With little additional storage room at the busy rail hub, adding more trains, or changing the number of rail cars per train to ease capacity, is not an option any time soon.
“If we could show you what a Tetris puzzle we have in the storage yard at Washington Union, we have to fit so many train sets into the storage yard…if it were a matter of changing around some trains, or adding some cars to different ones, we would have done that already,” said VRE Deputy CEO Richard Dalton.
Riders also told VRE’s top brass that Slug lines – where occupants ride in vehicles of three or more for free on Virginia’s 495 Express Lanes and I-95’s HOV lanes — is becoming a faster, more attractive option than the train. The carpool lanes are being expanded on I-95 as the HOV lanes from Dumfries to Edsall Road in Alexandria are being converted to HOV/toll lanes and extended south to Stafford County.
But there are the VRE faithful who ride religiously, like Roderick Burke of Stafford who pays out of pocket $89 per month to ride at least three times per week, and has an employer that doesn’t cover the full cost of his VRE ride as many federal agencies do.
Roderick, who also slugs some days, calls his time on the train relaxing. But he would like to see wireless internet services, or wifi, added to VRE so he could pop open his laptop and get more work done.
Wireless access on VRE has been talked about for years, but it’s a service VRE Chief Doug Allen said hasn’t been rolled out yet because the connection was not robust enough. Additionally, when wireless service does come to VRE, the transit agency would like to spend $1.2 million to install wireless services on all of their rail cars.
Recent Stories
Stafford County authorities are still looking for a bank robber who simply peddled away.
Yugene Vindman, a Democrat of Lake Ridge, who’s running to replace Abigail Spanberger (D) in Congress, is calling for a review of Virignia’s State Flag, one of the most unique in the world.
A stationary front lingering across central Virginia is expected to gradually shift northward today, transforming into a warm front by early Thursday, according to forecasts from the National Weather Service.
A Howard University student has died after he was struck last week by a car reportedly driven by a faculty member…Mohamed Samura, of Fredericksburg, 18, was a computer information systems major at the university.
Are you feeling overwhelmed by life’s challenges? Do stress and anxiety seem to dominate your thoughts? At Peaceful Mind Solutions, we understand that navigating mental health can be daunting, but you don’t have to do it alone.
Our team of compassionate therapists is here to guide you on your journey toward inner peace and emotional well-being. With a client-centered approach, we tailor our therapy sessions to meet your unique needs and goals. Whether you’re struggling with depression, coping with trauma, or simply seeking personal growth, we provide a safe and supportive space for healing and growth.
Embark on a path of self-discovery with our comprehensive range of therapy services, including cognitive-behavioral therapy, mindfulness practices, and holistic approaches. Our experienced therapists are dedicated to helping you cultivate resilience, develop coping skills, and foster a greater sense of self-awareness.
Are you facing life’s challenges, feeling overwhelmed, or seeking personal growth? Embrace the path to emotional well-being with our expert psychotherapy services!
Why Choose Us?
Our team of compassionate and experienced psychotherapists is here to guide you on your journey to inner peace, self-discovery, and positive change. We provide a safe and supportive environment where you can explore your thoughts and feelings without judgment.
Free Irish Music Concert
Welcoming Spring with music from the Emerald Isle, the New Dominion Choraliers offer a FREE concert on Saturday, April 27 at 7:30 p.m. at the First United Presbyterian Church of Dale City.
Joined by Legacy Brass and members of Old
Spring Ceili: An Irish Music Festival
The New Dominion Choraliers of Prince William County and McGrath Morgan Academy of Irish Dance invite you to join them at our Ceili, a grand celebration of Irish music and dance.
A gathering of performance groups throughout Prince William County