Virginia Railway Express
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER’S
REPORT
July 2010
MONTHLY DELAY SUMMARY
System wide
Total delays
Average length of delay (mins.)
Number over 30 minutes
Days with Heat Restrictions/Total days
On-Time Performance
Fredericksburg Line
Total delays
Average length of delay (mins.)
Number over 30 minutes
On-Time Performance
Manassas Line
Total delays
Average length of delay (mins.)
Number over 30 minutes
On-Time Performance
March
April
May
June
61
17
6
0/23
90.8%
94
26
15
0/22
85.3%
70
13
6
0/20
87.9%
145
18
19
5/22
76.9%
35
17
4
88.3%
39
31
7
86.4%
34
16
5
86.9%
63
20
10
77.4%
26
17
2
92.9%
55
23
8
84.4%
36
11
1
88.8%
82
16
9
76.4%
SYSTEM RIDERSHIP
Average daily ridership for the month of June was 17,619, which marks the sixth consecutive
month where average daily ridership was above 17,000. Cumulative ridership compared to last
year is up 4.6%. Although the one day total trip record was not broken this month, two days
registered in the top ten ridership days, with June 15 being the third highest at 18,948. Daily
trip totals were consistently high as 11 days were over 18,000. Although it is normal to see
ridership drop during the summer months, it is actually rising compared to earlier in the year.
ON-TIME PERFORMANCE
System-wide on-time performance for the month of June was 76.9%. On-time performance on
the Fredericksburg Line for the month of June was 77.4% and the Manassas Line was 76.4%. A
combination of factors contributed to poor performance. Work orders at the new CSX bridge
near Cameron Run have slowed Manassas Line trains, while work orders near the new track
between Franconia and Alexandria have slowed Fredericksburg trains. These in combination
with heat orders late in the month, heavy passenger loads, and various disabled trains on the
tracks have led to numerous congestion delays. Most of the delays were due to train
interference (33%).
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KEOLIS PROVISION OF VRE SERVICE
Keolis began operating VRE service in full on July 12, 2010. While recent on-time performance
has suffered due primarily to railroad related issues, delays attributable to crew issues, i.e. use
of wheelchair lifts, have been minimal and are improving. We have received limited negative
feedback on the service, with most comments related to onboard announcements and consistent
train stopping locations on the platform. Feedback from CSX, Norfolk Southern, and FRA has
been positive.
VRE and Keolis have been meeting weekly to review and improve crew performance. I am
pleased with Keolis' performance and look forward to continued service improvements over the
course of the contract.
WOODBRIDGE STATION UPDATE
Construction of the Woodbridge second platform and temporary kiss & ride is complete. The
focus continues to be obtaining Prince William County approval to open the facility. The
County’s Special Inspections Branch is expected to perform its final inspection shortly. Once
the final building inspection has been approved, VRE can apply for a Certificate of Occupancy.
NEW LOCOMOTIVE RIBBON CUTTING CEREMONY
A ribbon cutting ceremony will be held for VRE’s new locomotive on Friday, July 30th in
Alexandria. Formal invitations have been sent out. Senator James Webb will be the key note
speaker joined by other congressional members from Virginia and Idaho.
GAINESVILLE-HAYMARKET
VRE is awaiting the receipt of an Addendum to the REF agreement for the GainesvilleHaymarket Extension project from DRPT, outlining the scope of services to be provided by NS
as in-kind match. The award of the consultant contract to conduct the environmental review
and preliminary engineering for VRE is pending the execution of the REF Addendum. Once the
contract is awarded, work will begin immediately on the study, which will take 24 months to
complete.
BROOKE AND LEELAND PARKING UPDATE
The Brooke VRE station parking lot expansion project is currently in final design. The house at
1717 Brooke Road, purchased by VRE in March 2010, has been demolished. The property is
now ready for the future construction site of the 200-plus space surface lot expansion. VRE is
currently working with Stafford County on the plan review process and obtaining the necessary
permits. The final bid set will be ready for procurement in spring 2011.
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The Leeland Road parking lot expansion project is currently in final design. VRE is in
communication with the agent for the neighboring property regarding an easement. A slope
easement onto that property will result in substantial savings to the project by eliminating the
need for a costly retaining wall. VRE is working with Stafford County on the plan review
process for this site. The final bid set should be complete at the same time as the Brooke
design. The Leeland site will also result in 200 additional parking spaces.
FREDERICKSBURG STATION RENOVATION UPDATE
The construction contractor, Trinity Construction Group, Inc., is currently pulling permits and
working with VRE to optimize construction sequencing. Issuance of the notice-to-proceed and
the start of construction is expected to begin by the end of July. Construction is scheduled to be
completed in approximately 8 months.
MEET THE MANAGEMENT
Below please find the remaining Meet the Management schedule:
July 28
August 4
August 11
Woodbridge, all morning trains
Backlick, all morning trains
Lorton, all morning trains
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MONTHLY PERFORMANCE MEASURES – JUNE 2010
MONTHLY ON-TIME PERFORMANCE
ON-TIME
PERCENTAGE
June Fredericksburg OTP Average
77.4%
June Manassas OTP Average
76.4%
JUNE OVERALL OTP AVERAGE
76.9%
RIDERSHIP YEAR TO DATE
RIDERSHIP
VRE FY 2010 Passenger Totals
VRE FY 2009 Passenger Totals
4,033,230
3,857,646
PERCENTAGE CHANGE
4.6%
RIDERSHIP MONTH TO MONTH COMPARISON
DESCRIPTION
MONTHLY RIDERSHIP
JUNE 2010
378,082
JUNE 2009
348,826
PERCENTAGE CHANGE
8.4%
SERVICE DAYS (CURRENT/PRIOR)
22/22
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