VRE Saturday service, fare hike

Currently, the reason VRE does not offer Saturday service is because they have MUO with CSX where CSX uses the tracks on the weekends to operate freight trains

• There is a sense of urgency from VRE officials to introduce Saturday service

• The $3.7 billion deal will allow for weekend service on VRE

• VRE Board Members supporting adding Saturday Service and fare hike for FY2025

• Mr. McLaughlin stated that corridor projects are going to dictate VRE’s ability to run full weekend
  service; noting that the timeline for completion of the first two 4th track expansion projects is late FY
  2026. Chair Walkinshaw indicated the ideal scenario is to start weekend service as soon as possible,
  even if it were just one round-trip, if only to help to gather data on viability and optimal fare structure in
  advance of starting full weekend service

• VRE survey finds riders are currently teleworking 2 days a week

• The last fare increase was in 2019

https://www.vre.org/about/board/board-a ... 2023/July/
https://www.vre.org/about/board/board-a ... draft-pdf/

The sooner there are 4 main tracks from 1st street tunnel bores to ALX the better. That includes completion of the 2nd Long bridge. Then CSX can have no complaint

"There is a sense of urgency from VRE officials to introduce Saturday service." Every time the Virginia Assn. of Railway Patrons (merged a year ago with Virginians for High Speed Rail) brought this up, VRE insisted that there was no market for weekend service and refused to let us see the marketing research (if any) they had done. I wonder what prompted the change.

Literalman wrote: ↑Wed Aug 09, 2023 7:24 pm "There is a sense of urgency from VRE officials to introduce Saturday service." Every time the Virginia Assn. of Railway Patrons (merged a year ago with Virginians for High Speed Rail) brought this up, VRE insisted that there was no market for weekend service and refused to let us see the marketing research (if any) they had done. I wonder what prompted the change.

Probably a change of guard (pandemic induced?), plus the capacity additions with the 2nd Long Bridge.

Literalman wrote: ↑Wed Aug 09, 2023 7:24 pm "There is a sense of urgency from VRE officials to introduce Saturday service." Every time the Virginia Assn. of Railway Patrons (merged a year ago with Virginians for High Speed Rail) brought this up, VRE insisted that there was no market for weekend service and refused to let us see the marketing research (if any) they had done. I wonder what prompted the change.

Also, acting as a metro Express, so those in nova on saturday can get to downtown DC, without multiple metrorail transfers.

On the agenda for the September 15 board meeting.

1. Saturday Service
Based on positive feedback from initial discussions with the Operations Board and key stakeholders (including Keolis and the host railroads), VRE is planning for the introduction of Saturday service in FY 2025. The plan envisions three round trips on each line (Fredericksburg and Manassas), or a total of 12 one-way trains on Saturdays, as compared to the current schedule of 32-weekday trains. This is the first part of Transforming Rail in VA
Saturday service or other service-related changes are subject to final approval of our host railroads and other stakeholders.

2. Fare Changes
The last fare increase was a 3% fare increase in FY 2020.
The preliminary FY 2025 budget assumes an average daily ridership of 8,500 on weekdays and 1,000 on Saturdays.
In looking at potential fare changes for FY 2025, VRE has considered peer commuter rail experience, feedback from customers, pricing in competing modes, and the overall financial needs of the organization. One theme that has emerged is “simplification,” with agencies reducing the number of unique ticket types, eliminating underutilized fare options, and generally working to make the fare buying process quick and easy for the rider. The proposals for FY 2025 below are likely only a first step as more feedback is gathered and additional changes are considered in future years.
a) Permanent reduced fare in zones 1-3
b) Increase base one-way fares by 5%
c) Eliminate 7-day pass
d) Kids Under 18 Ride Free

See https://www.vre.org/about/board/board-a ... ation-pdf/

Eliminating weekly passes is ridiculous.

A little more, behind a paywall: WashingtonPost.com

VRE plans new weekend service, fare increases next year
...
In 2021, CSX entered into an agreement with Virginia to advance the state’s multibillion-dollar Transforming Rail program, which will allow for significant expansion of Amtrak and VRE service, as well as the expansion of the Long Bridge over the Potomac River.

“We are committed to continuing these positive partnerships to enhance the safety and efficiency of rail service in this vital transportation corridor,” CSX spokesperson Sheriee Bowman said.

Under the Virginia rail program, VRE, which runs eight round-trips each weekday on the Fredericksburg line, is expected to add five new round-trip trains during the rush hour and introduce three round-trips on Saturday and Sunday by 2030. The agreement, officials said, also will allow VRE to add Friday evening trains to give Virginians the option to use VRE after-hours.
...