ALEXANDRIA — As six Metrorail stations south of National Airport are now shut down this summer, the Virginia Railway Express (VRE) will be a convenient alternative for many commuters.
VRE offers service at two stations, Franconia-Springfield and Alexandria, that are a short walk from the closed Franconia-Springfield and King St-Old Town Metrorail stations. VRE trains run northbound in the morning and southbound in the evening with stops at Crystal City in Virginia, and L’Enfant and Union Station in Washington, D.C.
VRE trains arrive at Union Station each weekday between 6:24 a.m. and 9:17 a.m. and depart Union Station between 12:55 p.m. and 7:05 p.m.
All trains stop at the Alexandria station, but only trains on the Fredericksburg Line stop at Franconia-Springfield, where parking at the Metro garage will be free during the station closure. Passengers can see which trains have the most available seating by visiting VRE’s train utilization trends page.
Determining fares and purchasing a ticket can be done through VRE Mobile. The app allows riders to select from several fare products, some of which offer discounts. VRE Mobile accepts credit cards and SmartBenefits. Tickets also may be purchased through fare vending machines on VRE station platforms. VRE’s fare payment system does not support Metro’s SmarTrip card.
To free up capacity on trains for new riders, the cost of a single-ride Amtrak Step-Up ticket has been temporarily lowered from $8 to $4. The Step-Up ticket gives passengers with multi-ride VRE passes (Monthly, 5-Day, 10-Ride, and Transit Link Card) the option to use any of 12 Amtrak trains listed on the current VRE schedule.
Free shuttles in Prince William County will carry riders to VRE’s Rippon and Woodbridge stations during the Metrorail shutdown. The OmniRide shuttles will begin operating on Tuesday, May 28 and continue until Metro reopens the six Blue and Yellow line stations in September. The Dale City shuttle will connect the commuter lot at Minnieville Road and Gemini Way with the Rippon station, while the Lake Ridge shuttle will connect the commuter lot at Old Bridge and Minnieville roads with the Woodbridge station.
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In this engaging episode, Dayna-Marie shares her journey to the school board, her priorities for education in Manassas City, and her vision for fostering open communication between the board and the community.
Prince William County’s plans for an indoor sports complex in Woodbridge face a significant shift following this week’s decision by the Board of County Supervisors to allocate $250,000 for a consultant to determine the best use for the site. The 21.85-acre property near I-95 and the state’s most enormous commuter lot, the Horner Road lot, had been the centerpiece of a proposal to build a large indoor recreation facility to attract travel teams and host major events like graduations.
The property, once proposed as the location for a large indoor sports and recreation facility, is now part of a broader development plan. County officials aim to aggregate the land with four adjacent parcels, totaling nearly 50 acres of county- and state-owned land, including existing commuter parking lots. The mission is to transform the area into a community hub that harmonizes living, working, and leisure spaces while generating jobs and tax revenue.
Known colloquially as Prince William Landing, the area was previously considered as a potential site for a new Washington Commanders football stadium alongside another location near Potomac Mills mall. Both sites were discussed as part of efforts to keep the team in Northern Virginia after its lease on FedEx Field expires in 2027. However, those plans did not materialize.
According to county documents, the Department of Economic Development and Tourism, along with the Finance Department and Office of Procurement Services, is leading the effort to attract a strategic real estate partner. The process will follow the Public-Private Education Facilities and Infrastructure Act of 2002 (PPEA) to identify a development partner capable of delivering a project that strengthens the county’s sense of place and meets diverse community needs.
Three amendments are one step closer to being enshrined in the Virginia Constitution after passing the Senate on Tuesday. These amendments address abortion rights, marriage equality, and the restoration of voting rights for formerly incarcerated felons.
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Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin cannot veto constitutional amendments. The process requires these amendments to be approved twice over two years, with a legislative election in between. If approved again, the proposed amendments will appear on the 2026 ballot for voters’ consideration.
Germanna Community College (GCC) hosted a ribbon cutting at its new Stafford expansion today, January 23, 2025. The event marked the opening of two buildings in Stafford: the Barbara J. Fried Building at 10 Center Street and the Kevin L. Dillard Health Sciences Building at 25 Center Street.
GCC was established in 1970 as part of Virginia’s Community College System and has locations in Culpeper, Locust Grove, Fredericksburg, and Stafford. The school’s website says over 13,000 students are enrolled.
The new expansion added 74,000 square feet to the campus with a $20 million investment. GCC plans to double enrollment in allied health services, like nursing. They will also expand their cybersecurity, IT, general education, and dual enrollment programs.
Travel to French soil and join us for a night filled with two of the most beloved French traditions—no plane ticket required! ?
On January 25th, we invite you to experience the magic of Galette des Rois, a 700-year-old tradition celebrated across France throughout the entire month of January (and even beyond!). This sweet, almond-filled puff pastry topped with a golden crown isn’t just a treat—it’s a celebration! The lucky person who finds the fève (a porcelain charm hidden in one of the slices) becomes the King or Queen for the Day, and don’t worry—there will be plenty of royalty to go around! ??
But that’s not all! In France, Les Voeux (New Year’s wishes) continue throughout January, often accompanied by Champagne and good cheer. We’re bringing that festive spirit to you, with a lively evening packed with French food, wine, and music.
What’s in store:
Experience the passion and drama of Puccini’s “The Girl from the Golden West”.
Featuring special guest musicians from The Chesapeake Youth Orchestra,
this performance brings Puccini’s masterpiece to life with an extraordinary cast.
