(The following article by Edie Gross was posted on the Free Lance Star website on March 15.)
FREDERICKSBURG, Va. — Virginia Railway Express’ chief executive officer got anonymous hate mail last year when he suggested raising ticket prices for commuters.
The criticism hasn’t been quite as strong this year, perhaps because the fare increases won’t be as steep.
“Staff still believes it’s safe to open Dale’s mail,” VRE spokesman Mark Roeber joked. “We’re not getting anybody wishing death threats upon him or threatening to fry him in some vat of oil.”
But VRE officials still expect plenty of comments from rail commuters.
Locals will have that chance Thursday when the first of five public hearings on the proposed fare increases takes place at 7 p.m. in the Fredericksburg City Council chambers, 715 Princess Anne St.
Fares are expected to rise an average of 2.75 percent, starting June 27, though the popular 10-trip tickets are slated to increase 5 percent.
Angry Fredericksburg passengers packed a public hearing last year when some ticket prices were slated to rise 25 percent.
VRE officials backed off slightly, upping the 10-trip tickets by 18 percent instead.
Roeber said similar changes could result from public hearings this year, but some level of fare increase is inevitable.
The agency is also seeking more money from its “member” communities, like Fredericksburg and Stafford County.
Stafford supervisors have already said they do not want to chip in another $90,000 next year.
If Stafford sticks to that decision, VRE officials have said they may raise ticket prices higher for passengers boarding in Stafford and–by default–Fredericksburg to make up for the loss of revenue.
“One way or another, the money will be had because it has to be,” said Roeber.
VRE officials have said that they need another $1.1 million next year, largely to cover higher fuel and insurance costs as well as rising fees owed to Amtrak for access to Union Station.
Starting next budget year, VRE ticket-holders who ride Amtrak trains to work will have to buy a $2 step-up ticket.
Commuters with 10-trip and monthly VRE tickets have generally been able to ride certain Amtrak trains to and from Washington at no extra charge.
Meanwhile, VRE pays Amtrak $10 every time a VRE customer rides an Amtrak train. That adds up to about $1 million a year.
Now those passengers will cover some of VRE’s costs. A version of that program was supposed to be implemented this year, but an agreement with Amtrak wasn’t worked out in time.
Amtrak has agreed to the step-up plan “in principle,” said Roeber.
Those who can’t attend Thursday’s public hearing can still comment on the fare changes until April 1 by sending e-mails to publiccomment@vre.org or by addressing letters to Public Comment, Virginia Railway Express, 1500 King St., Suite 202, Alexandria, Va. 22314.
For a full list of public hearing dates and fare increases, visit vre.org on the Web.