(The following story by Tracy Bell appeared on the Stafford County Sun website on October 11.)
FREDERICKSBURG, Va. — Business is booming on the Virginia Railway Express.
Ridership is on the rise since the time that service delays disrupted day-to-day business in the summer of 2006, according to VRE. Its representatives say that VRE has worked hard to improve service after suffering through one of the most difficult operational years since its inception.
Dana Kauffman, chairman of the VRE Operations Board, announced Oct. 5 that ridership is on the rise for the first quarter of the new fiscal year and that projections for future ridership look strong based upon current improved on-time performance numbers.
In September, the railway express service carried 749 more passenger trips per day than in the same period last year – nearly a 6 percent increase.
“Our customers deserved better and we have acted to deliver better service,” said Kauffman.
The completion of the Quantico Creek Bridge immediately reduced delays 30 percent on the Fredericksburg line, he added.
Last summer, CSX and NS railroads conducted major rehabilitation work on their tracks and signals, according to VRE, which reported that work being completed on the new Quantico bridge, as well as heat restrictions, added to delays.
In collaboration with CSXT and Norfolk Southern, VRE forged new operating procedures, which have allowed greater on-time performance, and increased ridership on all trains.
This year, the first two days of October saw average daily ridership well over 15,500, with October 2 hitting 15,987 trips, according to VRE figures.
VRE remains committed to providing the region with reliable, efficient and safe commuting options, according to Mark Roeber, manager of public affairs for VRE.
To increase capacity, Virginia Railway Express put into service 11 new cab signal passenger coaches and exercised an option to acquire 50 more new coaches, which will begin to arrive in December. The move was a first step in adding new equipment to an aging fleet.
With the help of Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine and the General Assembly, Virginia Railway Express has also begun the process of acquiring 20 new locomotives over the next few years.
Dale Zehner, CEO of the Virginia Railway Express, said that in looking back over the past year, everyone can take great pride in having made a concerted effort to improve the service and reliability of the service’s trains.
“?With on-time performance eclipsing 90 percent regularly on both lines,” Zehner said, “we’ll become an even more attractive commuting option.”
Based in Alexandria, VRE has a Fredericksburg line that travels to and from Fredericksburg and Union Station in Washington, D.C., as well as a Manassas Line, which travels to and from the Broad Run/Airport station and Union Station.
For schedules or for more information, visit vre.org.