RIDE Magazine | December 2015/January 2016 1
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CONTENTS
RIDE MAGAZINE | DECEMBER 2015/
JANUARY 2016
02 | NEW SYSTEM AND ZONE MAPS
03 | NEW SCHEDULES
04 | NEW SPOTSYLVANIA STATION OPENS
05 | V RE GAINESVILLE-HAYMARKET
EXTENSION MEETING
05 | VRE PREPARES FOR WINTER WEATHER
06 | SPOTLIGHT ON KEOLIS
MEET WALTER FISHER
06 | CHECKING YOUR TRAVEL
SAFETY LIST TWICE
07 | NEW WEBSITE DESIGN
FLU SEASON
COURTESY
REMINDERS
WHEN RIDING VRE, we ask that you make
every effort to be courteous to your fellow
passengers. Below are a few courtesy
reminders for flu season:
Cover your mouth and nose with a
tissue when you cough or sneeze.
Wash your hands often with soap and
water.
If you are sick with a virus, the best
thing to do is stay home until you are
no longer contagious.
FROM THE
VRE’S YEAR IN REVIEW
A
CEO
s we look back on 2015, I
am very proud of the major
accomplishments we have
made to improve your VRE
experience. From a new station DOUG ALLEN
Chief Executive Officer
and an additional train on the
Fredericksburg Line, to the launch of highest standard of excellence in
VRE Mobile, a redesigned website security. We participated in the
and being recognized for excellence Federal Railroad Administration
in security, 2015 was truly a year of and the National Transportation
Safety Board’s forums addressing
notable achievements.
We recently opened Spotsylvania the dangers of trespassing on the
Station, our first line extension since railroad right-of-way. We also
we began operations in 1992. This coordinated first responders’ drills
new station is now the southern and full-scale emergency simulations
terminus for VRE operations of the while delivering our safety message
Fredericksburg Line and consists of to Virginia motorists through our
a 1,500-space parking lot, waiting “Railroad Crossing Safety Blitzes.”
area with restroom and a 700-foot We also made many safety and
platform with a covered canopy for security improvements throughout
riders. We also began operating a our stations including: installation of
new train on the Fredericksburg emergency supply boxes, restriping
Line to provide more capacity and parking lots, replacing worn stairs
and benches and improving lighting.
another commuting option.
To prepare for the future, we have
To improve technology and
initiated
a two-year study to evaluate
communications, we launched VRE
an
11-mile
extension to bring VRE
Mobile. This app allows you to
service
to
the
Gainesville-Haymarket
conveniently use your transit benefits
area.
This
fall,
we hosted several
and to purchase and validate tickets
meetings,
participated
in community
all from your smartphone. VRE
events
and
received
positive
feedback.
Mobile already has over ten thousand
If
the
analysis
supports
continued
downloads. We also unveiled our
redesigned website to enhance the project development, final design
online and mobile experience for and construction would follow
VRE passengers by providing easy contingent upon Norfolk Southern’s
access to the most requested service approval and funding availability.
Thank you for making 2015 a very
information and real-time alerts.
special
year for VRE. We wish you
Safety and security are always
and
your
family a safe, happy holiday
a priority at VRE. In fact, last
season
and
a prosperous new year. It
February we were awarded the
has
been
our
pleasure and privilege
2014 Baseline Assessment Security
to
provide
you
with commuter rail
Enhancement
Program
Award
service
and
we
hope
to see you riding
by the Transportation Security
VRE
in
2016.
Administration for achieving the
Editor in Chief: Alexis Rice
Cover photo: Scott Henrichsen Photography
Magazine Design by Pulsar Advertising
Copyright © 2015 by Virginia Railway Express. All rights reserved. RIDE
Magazine is a publication of the Virginia Railway Express, 1500 King Street,
Suite 202, Alexandria, VA 22314. It has a distribution of approximately
11,700 copies monthly. Advertising in RIDE supports the production and
printing cost. For comments, stories, suggestions, questions or advertising,
please contact ride@vre.org.
DOUG ALLEN
Chief Executive Officer
Virginia Railway Express
Access RIDE online at www.VRE.org/RIDE
PLEASE RECYCLE THIS MAGAZINE
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RIDE Magazine | December 2015/January 2016 1
NEW VRE MAPS
VRE UNVEILS NEW SYSTEM & ZONE MAPS
NEW SYSTEM MAP
VRE launched new clear, concise and easy-to-use system and zone maps. These can
be found at our stations, on printed materials and our website.
18th Rappahannock Model
Railroaders Train Display
and Show
Saturday, Dec.12, 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
Sunday, Dec. 13, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
Fredericksburg Fraternal Order of Eagles
Lodge # 4123
21 Cool Springs Road
Fredericksburg, VA
This show features operating model
trains displays in all scales, including the
Rappahannock Model Railroaders’ exciting
modular railroad project, a Lego Layout,
HO and N-Gauge trains, as well as model
train vendors.
www.rmrailroaders.com
Christmas at Mount Vernon
Now – Wednesday, Jan. 6
George Washington’s Mount Vernon
3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Hwy.,
Mount Vernon, VA
Mount Vernon invites you to celebrate
this festive time of year with their special
Experience Christmas program. Go behindthe-scenes on a rare tour of the Mansion’s
third floor, and celebrate the way the
Washingtons would have.
www.mountvernon.org
First Night Alexandria
NEW FARE ZONE MAP
Thursday, Dec. 31, 2 p.m. – Midnight
2 RIDE Magazine | December 2015/January 2016
Old Town Alexandria, VA
This Alexandria tradition brings in the New
Year with art galleries, historic sites, churches,
and retail shops transformed into cozy live
performance spaces.
www.visitalexandriava.com
DEC./JAN. CALENDAR
DEC. 9LEAVE TOYS FOR TOTS DONATIONS ON
YOUR MORNING TRAIN
DEC. 12 SANTA TRAINS / TOYS FOR TOTS
COLLECTION
DEC. 24 CHRISTMAS EVE – “S” SCHEDULE
DEC. 25 CHRISTMAS – NO VRE SERVICE
DEC. 28–31 “S” SCHEDULE
JAN. 1
NEW YEARS DAY – NO VRE SERVICE
JAN. 18MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. DAY – NO VRE
SERVICE
FREDERICKSBURG
LINE
VRE’S NEW SCHEDULE
VRE’S NEW SCHEDULE
Fares and Schedules - Effective November 30, 2015
VRE added a new train to the Fredericksburg Line on November 30th. This new train modified schedules for both the Fredericksburg
and Manassas lines.
FREDERICKSBURG LINE
NORTHBOUND VRE TRAINS M-F
TRAIN #
SPOTSYLVANIA
FREDERICKSBURG
LEELAND ROAD
BROOKE
QUANTICO
RIPPON
WOODBRIDGE
LORTON
FRANCONIA/SPRINGFIELD (L)
ALEXANDRIA (L)
CRYSTAL CITY (L)
L'ENFANT (L)
UNION STATION
300
4:57a
5:05
5:12
5:18
–
–
5:40
–
–
6:07
6:16
6:24
6:32a
SOUTHBOUND VRE TRAINS M-F
TRAIN #
UNION STATION
L'ENFANT
CRYSTAL CITY
ALEXANDRIA
FRANCONIA/SPRINGFIELD
LORTON
WOODBRIDGE
RIPPON
QUANTICO
BROOKE (L)
LEELAND ROAD (L)
FREDERICKSBURG (L)
SPOTSYLVANIA
S
301
12:55p
1:03
1:10
1:18
1:29
1:36
1:44
1:50
2:00
2:14
2:23
2:31
2:39p
S
302
5:07a
5:15
5:22
5:28
5:40
5:49
5:56
6:03
6:11
6:23
6:32
6:40
6:48a
5
304
5:23a
5:31
5:38
5:44
5:56
6:05
6:12
6:19
6:27
6:39
6:48
6:56
7:04a
S
306
5:37a
5:45
5:52
5:58
6:10
6:19
6:26
6:33
6:41
6:53
7:02
7:10
7:18a
S
305
3:25p
3:33
3:40
3:48
3:59
4:06
4:14
4:20
4:30
4:44
4:53
5:01
5:09p
307
4:10p
4:18
4:25
4:33
4:44
4:51
4:59
5:05
5:15
5:29
5:38
5:46
5:54p
5
5
308
6:03a
6:11
6:18
6:24
6:36
6:45
6:52
6:59
7:07
7:19
7:28
7:36
7:44a
S
310
6:23a
6:31
6:38
6:44
6:56
7:05
7:12
7:19
7:27
7:39
7:48
7:56
8:04a
S
309
4:40p
4:48
4:55
5:03
5:14
5:21
5:29
5:35
5:45
5:59
6:08
6:16
6:24p
311
5:15p
5:23
5:30
5:38
5:49
5:56
6:04
6:10
6:20
6:34
6:43
6:51
6:59p
312
7:08a
7:16
7:23
7:29
7:41
7:50
7:57
8:04
8:12
8:24
8:33
8:41
8:49a
5
5
S
313
6:00p
6:08
6:15
6:23
6:34
6:41
6:49
6:55
7:05
7:19
7:28
7:36
7:44p
5
S
314
7:36a
7:44
7:51
7:57
8:09
8:18
8:25
8:32
8:40
8:52
9:01
9:09
9:17a
AMTRAK TRAINS*
86*
174*
–
–
6:56a
8:00a
–
–
7:16
8:22
–
–
–
–
7:28
8:36
–
–
–
–
7:52
9:05
–
–
8:03
9:24
8:15a
9:34a
84*
–
9:19a
–
9:41
–
–
–
–
–
10:15
–
–
10:39a
94*
–
12:08p
–
12:28
–
–
–
–
–
1:07
–
–
1:35p
66*
–
7:57p
–
8:22
–
–
–
–
–
8:55
–
–
9:20p
5
AMTRAK TRAINS*
67*
95*
7:30a
2:30p
–
–
–
–
7:48
2:48
–
–
–
–
–
3:05
–
–
8:14
3:16
–
–
–
–
8:36a
3:40p
–
–
125*
3:55p
4:01
–
4:14
–
–
4:32
–
4:45
–
–
5:12p
–
93/83*
5:50p
5:56
–
6:09
–
–
–
–
6:36
–
–
7:01p
–
85/87*
7:05p
–
–
7:22
–
–
7:40
–
7:52
–
–
8:17p
–
MANASSAS LINE
303
3:10p
3:18
3:25
3:33
3:44
3:51
3:59
4:05
4:15
4:29
4:38
4:46
4:54p
Fares and Schedules - Effective November 30, 2015
315
6:40p
6:48
6:55
7:03
7:14
7:21
7:29
7:35
7:45
7:59
8:08
8:16
8:24p
5
S = Special schedules for holidays and snow days. L = Train may depar t when station work is completed, regardless of scheduled time.
= Train allows full-size bicycles. Collapsible bicycles are permitted on all trains.
* = Available to VRE passengers in possession of a validated Five-Day, Ten-Ride, TLC or Monthly Ticket and a $5 Step-Up ticket. VRE Information: www.vre.org or 800-RIDE-VRE. Amtrak Information: www.amtrak.com or 800-USA-RAIL.
MANASSAS LINE
Fare Chart
NORTHBOUND VRE TRAINS M-F
S
TRAIN #
BROAD RUN
MANASSAS
MANASSAS PARK
BURKE CENTRE
322
5:05a
Zone 1
Union
Station
L’Enfant
Zone 2
5:12
Crystal City
Alexandria
11.55
10.85
Single-Ride
Zone 9
Fred’burg ROAD
ROLLING
Day Pass
Spotsylvania
BACKLICK ROAD
Five-Day
(L)
ALEXANDRIA Ten-Ride
(L)
CRYSTAL CITYMonthly
(L)Single-Ride
L'ENFANT
Zone 8
Leeland Road
Day Pass
UNION
STATION
Brooke
Five-Day
5:18
5:32
21.705:40
23.10
86.205:46
91.80
6:10
13.50
12.10
6:16
53.20
47.70
5.35
6:50 10.70
6:56 42.10
7:09 48.50
6:38
184.40
165.20
6.75
6:46
6.05
5.35
7:26 4.70
67.50
6:29
61.20
6:42
203.50
54.80
7:18 146.00 –
21.70
20.406:24a
13.50
12.10
6:54a
10.70
7:34a 9.40
86.20
80.80
53.20
47.70
42.10
36.70
61.20
S54.80
92.90
298.90
5
19.00
Five-Day
80.80
75.30
Ten-Trip
92.90
86.50
279.70321
Monthly
279.70
260.80
10.20
9.50
6:25a
–
–
6:42
Zone 6
Single-Ride
Quantico ROAD (L)
ROLLING
Day Pass
9.50
8.80
19.00
17.60
(L)
MANASSAS PARK
Five-Day
75.30
MANASSAS (L)Monthly
6.05
10.206:16
20.40
BROAD
Zone 5 RUN Single-Ride
6.75
298.906:08
Day Pass
(L)
BURKE CENTRE
Ten-Trip
58.80
6:28
6:02
10.85
L'ENFANT
ALEXANDRIA
14.80
5:48
6:15a
Zone 5
Zone 6
W-bridge 6:22Quantico
Rippon
318.10
Monthly
BACKLICK ROAD
7.40
5:35a
Zone 4
5:42
Lorton
99.305:59
Ten-Trip
SOUTHBOUND
VRE TRAINS 99.30
M-F
CRYSTAL CITY
Zone 3
Franc/
Sprgfld
326
105.60
TRAIN #
Zone 7
Single-Ride
UNION
STATION
324
–
–
80.30 –
69.80 –
86.50
241.707:30
260.80
8.157:40a
8.80
184.40
6.05
12.10
47.70
54.80
165.20
5.35
10.70
48.50
42.10
146.00
4.70
5
48.50
165.20
325
146.00
10.70
9.40
42.10
36.70
48.50
42.10
146.00
126.90
4.70
4.00
5.35
1:15p
4.70
1:23
1:30
1:38
1:49
1:57
9.40
8.00
2:17
36.70
31.00
2:03
42.10
35.80
2:24
126.90
107.70
2:34p
4.00
3.30
42.10
S
327 126.90
S
5
S
328
330
6:35a
7:20a
Zone 7
Zone 8
6:42
Brooke
Leeland Road
6:48
7:02
4.70
4.00
9.407:10
8.00
7:16
36.70
31.00
7:29
42.10
35.80
5
Zone 9
7:27
Fred’burg
Spotsylvania
7:33
7:47
3.30
7:55
6.60
8:01
25.60
8:14
29.40
System Map
5
5
5
AMTRAK TRAIN*
332
336
338
176*
7:48a
2:45p
5:10p
7:55
2:51
5:16
S
8:01
2:56
8:15
3:08
8:23
–
–
8:29
–
–
8:42
3:30
7:38
126.90
107.70
8:23
88.70
8:51
4.007:46
3.30
8:31
8:59
8.00
7:54a
6.60
8:39a
9:07a
31.00
25.60
35.80
29.40
107.70
329
88.70
–
DC–
66
–
– P Backlick Road
P3:55p
Rolling Road
5:52
395
–
–
6:25p
P Burke Centre
S
5
331
333
5
5
335
337
P Manassas Park
S
P Manassas
3:45p
4:25p
5:05p
5:30p
P Broad Run
6:10p
6:50p
3:53
4:33
5:13
5:38
6:18
6:58
4:00
4:40
5:20
5:45
6:25
957:05
6:33
VIRGINIA
4:08
4:48
5:28
5:53
4:19
4:59
5:39
6:04
4:27
5:07
5:47
6:44
4:33
5:13
5:53
6:12Manassas Line
6:52
◆
6:18Fredericksburg Line6:58
◆
4:47
5:27
6:07
6:32
P Parking
7:12
7:13
7:24
–
10:19a
Union
Station
–
10:36
L’Enfant
–
–
Crystal City
Alexandria
FranconiaSpringfield P
11:05
–
11:14
11:20a
Lorton P
AMTRAK TRAIN*
Woodbridge P 171*
Rippon P
4:50p
4:56
Potomac Shores (F–uture)
Quantico P
5:11
–
7:32 Brooke P
–
Poto5:30
7:38
mac
7:52 Leeland Road P –
4:54
5:34
6:14
6:39Metro
7:19
7:59
5:04p
5:44p
6:24p
6:49pAmtrak
7:29p
8:09p
5:49p
Fredericksburg P
Rippon
MARC
Spotsylvania P
Dayfor
Pass
17.60
9.40t when station
8.00 work is completed,
6.60
S =W-bridge
Special schedules
holidays and
snow days. L16.30
= Train may depar
regardless of scheduled time.
= Train allows full-size bicycles. Collapsible bicycles are permitted on all trains.
* = Available to VREFive-Day
passengers in possession
of a validated
Ten-Ride, TLC
or Monthly Ticket
Information:
All stations and
trains are accessible www.amtrak.com or 800-USA-RAIL.
69.80
64.30 Five-Day,
36.70
31.00
25.60 and a $5 Step-Up ticket. VRE Information: www.vre.org or 800-RIDE-VRE. Amtrak
to passengers with disabilities
River
–
5
Ten-Trip
80.30
73.80
42.10
35.80
29.40
107.70
88.70
Fare Chart
Monthly
241.70
222.70
126.90
Single-Ride
8.15
7.40
4.00
Day Pass
16.30
14.80
8.00
Five-Day
64.30
Monthly
203.50
Day Pass
13.50
Five-Day
53.20
Monthly
184.40
Single-Ride
6.05
CHANGES FOR TLC
Zone 4
Lorton
Zone
1
58.80
Union
67.50
Station
203.50
L’Enfant
6.75
Zone 2
31.00
System Map
Zone 3
Backlick Road
Zone 4
Rolling Road
Burke Centre
Zone 5
Zone 6
Manassas Park
Manassas
Broad Run
42.10
36.70
31.00
25.60
• Tickets are available for purchase from the
ticket vending machines on the platforms,
through the VRE Mobile app (www.vre.org/
mobile) and at local retail outlets (see vendor
list on the sign by the ticket vending machines
or go to www.vre.org/ticketvendors for a
complete list) or by phone at 703-228-RIDE.
• Ticket vending machines, VRE Mobile and
phone purchases require debit or credit
cards. Retail outlets accept debit and credit
cards, cash or checks.
66
• Make sure you have a validated
ticket before
P Backlickand
Road
boarding the train. Validate Single-Ride
Ten-Ride tickets at ticket Pvending
Road
Rollingmachines.
Validate paper Day Pass and Five-Day pass
P Burke Centr e
at vending machine at time of first use. Print
P Manassas
Park to validate it.
name on paper
Monthly Ticket
For VRE Mobile, validate your ticket prior to
P Manassas
boarding the train.
• Children 10 years old and younger ride free
with a fare-paying adult.
• VRE participates in the SmartBenefits® and
Union
GuaranteedStation
Ride Home Program.
• VRE does not operate a regular schedule on
the following holidays: New Year’s Day, Martin
L’Enfant
Luther King Jr. Day, Presidents’ Day, Memorial
Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus
C rystDay,
al C iThanksgiving
ty
Day, Veteran’s
Day and
Christmas Day.
395
A lexandria
For those riders
CardCity
(TLC), you can expect some changes for 2016. The paper version of the TLC is going away as part of the WMATA effort to
Ten-Tripwho utilize
73.80 the Transit LinkCrystal
35.80
Alexandria
Monthly
222.70
107.70
end
paper fare
tickets. The
TLC paper ticket is being replaced by a pre-loaded WMATA SmarTrip® card plus VRE sticker-based version. The new card DC
plus sticker TLC will work
Single-Ride
7.40
Zone 3
Franc/
Day Pass
14.80
13.50
similarly
to
the
old
paper
version,
a
flash-pass/visual
inspection
on
VRE
and
scanned
(like
any
SmarTrip®
)
on
WMATA.
The
new
card
plus
sticker
TLC
will only be sold by
Sprgfld
Zone 6
Single-Ride58.80
9.50
8.80
5.35
4.70
4.00
3.30
Five-Day
53.20
Broad Run, Direct.
Ten-Trip All the
67.50
61.20
Commuter
other
vendors
who
sold
the
paper
TLC
will
no
longer
sell
TLC’s
after
this
change.
More
information
will
be
provided
through
VRE’s Train Talk.
Day Pass
19.00
17.60
10.70
9.40
8.00
6.60
Manassas,
Manassas Park
Zone 2
Alexandria
Crystal City
Five-Day 6.75
Single-Ride
Ten-Ride
Ten-TripMonthly 61.20
Zone 5
Zone 1
L’Enfant
Single-Ride
184.40
75.30
6.05
12.10
69.80
86.50
80.30
48.50
42.10
35.80
29.40
260.80
54.80
241.70
146.00
126.90
107.70
88.70
8.15
4.70
4.00
3.30
47.70
165.20
8.80
Contact information for VRE
Automated: 800-RIDE-VRE
or 703-684-0400
FranconiaSpringfield P(TTY: 703-684-0551)
Main Office: 703-684-1001
gotrains@vre.org or www.vre.org
Lort on P
Contact information for Amtrak
800-USA-RAIL
W oodbridge P
www.amtrak.com
RIDE Magazine | December 2015/January 2016 3
SPOTSYLVANIA STATION OPENS
VRE OPENS THE SPOTSYLVANIA STATION
O
n November 16th, VRE opened the Spotsylvania Station.
The first train departed at 4:57 a.m. with many first-time
and regular VRE riders aboard. Each person was treated
to coffee and pastries and received a commemorative
opening day ticket.
VRE hosted a ribbon cutting event later that morning. Many
state and local officials came to give their remarks, including:
U.S. Representative Rob Wittman (VA-1), U.S. Representative
Dave Brat (VA-7), Virginia Senator Bryce Reeves (17th
District), Director of Virginia Department of Rail and Public
Transportation Jennifer Mitchell, Berkeley District Supervisor
and Spotsylvania County Vice Chairman Greg Cebula, Fairfax
County Supervisor and VRE Operations Board Chairman John
C. Cook, and Lee Hill District Supervisor and VRE Operations
Board Vice Chairman Gary Skinner.
The Spotsylvania Station is now the last stop on the
Fredericksburg Line and the first station located in Spotsylvania
County. The station consists of a 1,500-space parking lot, waiting
area with bathroom facilities and a 700-foot platform with
canopy capable of supporting a train up to seven cars long.
VRE
£
1
Fredericksburg
Station
¬3
¬
3
§
¨
¬2
95
J im
Mo
R d r r is
208
¬
£
£
17
17
Crossroads Parkway
SPOTSYLVANIA
STATION
North
1
r
Fl ip po D
£
p Officials participate in the Spotsylvania Station ribbon cutting
The station is located at 9442 Crossroads Parkway right off of U.S. 17 with easy
access to I-95.
p Commemorative opening day tickets
4 RIDE Magazine | December 2015/January 2016
p VRE train at the Spotsylvania Station’s platform
VRE UPDATES
VRE’S GAINESVILLE-HAYMARKET EXTENSION STUDY REACHES FIRST KEY MILESTONE
O
n November 10th, VRE hosted the first community
meeting for the Gainesville-Haymarket Extension
Study. The VRE project team also held focused sessions
with staff and elected officials from the the jurisdictions
along the Manassas Line. A special session with the project
Community Advisory Committee included a dialogue with
VRE riders, local home owners associations, and environmental
groups.
The purpose of these meetings was to seek input on
alternative options including station locations, route and track
configurations and train service schedules. VRE officials
explained how the new service would serve a greater number
of Northern Virginia commuters, providing the quality service
that VRE customers currently enjoy. One of the main concerns
when considering a new service is how it will fit into the existing
VRE system. It must deliver significant benefits for both VRE
riders and the surrounding communities, ensure enough seats
are still available in order to maintain the highest quality of
VRE service and qualify for future project funding.
VRE’s main priority is to select the alternative that will
deliver the maximum benefits to both VRE riders and the
surrounding communities.
General feedback from the community and committee
meetings was very positive, with many participants requesting
accelerated implementation. The most common concerns related
to potential impacts
of the project were:
noise levels, traffic
congestion, and impact
to property along the
proposed route.
The VRE project
team will be analyzing
these and other key
issues in detail in the
coming year. Next steps
include
developing
ridership
estimates
for the extension,
analyzing
potential
funding sources, and
identifying potential
station
locations
for further analysis.
The study team will
p The GHX Community Advisory Committee look at
present these findings
options for station locations and parking facilities.
and solicit additional
feedback at the next community meeting in spring 2016.
Please visit www.vre.org/ghx to see the latest meeting
materials and to send your comments or suggestions.
VRE PREPARES FOR WINTER WEATHER
V
RE is preparing for the upcoming winter season, and as
always, safety is our main priority. While we work diligently
to keep the trains operating and on-time, inclement
weather can impact our ability to provide normal service.
Another key component to safe VRE operations is the ability for
you to reach our stations.
When a winter storm is projected to affect our region, VRE
works with our host railroads, the National Weather Service
and the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) to
help determine if conditions will allow for the safe operation
of our trains. We also activate our snow removal plan working
with VDOT, the local jurisdictions and our own contractors to
clear parking lots, sidewalks and platforms. VRE also participates
in regional and state agency “snow calls” when conditions are
projected to affect the daily commute.
While we do take the decision by the Office of Personnel
Management (OPM) into consideration regarding the operation
of the Federal Government, it does not necessarily dictate
whether or not VRE trains operate. We realize that many of
our riders are not employed by the Federal Government, or are
considered essential personnel who need to get to work, we still
make every effort to offer at least an “S” schedule operation.
One of VRE’s highest priorities is ensure our passenger’s
reach their stations safely. In the event that we do need to cancel
service, or operate on a modified schedule, we will get that
information out as early as possible, usually no later than 4:15
a.m. of the affected service day. All information will be posted
to our website at www.vre.org, on our Twitter and Facebook
accounts, through Train Talk text and email alerts, on our station
signs and our information hotline, 1-800-RIDE-VRE. VRE
also contacts local media including TV, radio and traffic reports.
We also encourage our riders to properly prepare for winter
weather travel by:
1. Having a backup plan in the event of a long delay or
cancellation
2. Always carrying a fully charged mobile phone
3. Wearing sensible shoes and using great care when driving
to stations or walking to the platform
4. Bringing water and snacks, in the event that there is a
long delay
5. Dressing in layers
Thanks for riding VRE!
RIDE Magazine | December 2015/January 2016 5
SPOTLIGHT ON KEOLIS
MEET WALTER FISHER
W
alter Fisher works daily to ensure every VRE passenger
travels safely from home, to work, and back. At only
22, Walter is the youngest member on the team, but
don’t underestimate this assistant conductor. As a thirdgeneration railroad employee, this Beaverdam, Virginia native hopes
to keep his family tradition going strong.
Walter’s journey to assistant conductor began when he by
listening to stories of his grandfather leaving for an early day
on the rails with CSX Transportation. Both his father and his
grandfather worked in the transit industry for many years. Walter
later joined a freight team with a local company, Buckingham
Branch Railroad, but was looking for a job that would lead him
into a career. He found that with VRE.
Walter joined the VRE in October 2014. He starts every day
with a job briefing and thorough inspection of the train before
heading out. According to the assistant conductor, the best part of
his job is getting to work with his team members to do their job
well. Walter says his job would be nearly impossible without his
team’s hardworking effort.
“A friend from high school
encouraged me to pursue a job with
the VRE. In June, he passed away.
Because of him I decided to go for
it,” Walter said.
Walter remains driven in both his professional and personal
life, and plans to move up within the company as an engineer or
manager in the next two years.
Joining the VRE was one of Walter’s best career and life choices.
He now looks forward to a new change coming into this life. He and
his wife are expecting a daughter in March 2016. When his workday
is over, Walter enjoys spending time at home awaiting his new bundle
of joy, performing gospel music for his church and even singing at a
few coworkers’ weddings.
“My personal goal is to be the best husband and father that I
can be. I aspire to be the best at what I do, be it music, VRE or
family. I aspire to be the best,” Walter said.
Keolis is VRE’s contractor that maintains and operates VRE trains.
CHECKING YOUR TRAVEL SAFETY LIST TWICE
T
he holiday season is here, and with it comes the busiest travel
time of the year. Which means it’s more important than ever to
keep an eye out for suspicious objects or behavior.
Unusual behavior can include people staying at train
stations for long periods of time without getting on, an individual
who seems fixated only on a particular object or location, or people
entering unauthorized areas at train or bus stations.
Suspicious objects may include bags, boxes, or packages left
unattended – especially if partially hidden or in unusual locations.
These bags or briefcases may simply be forgotten or discarded items.
But at this time of year, it’s better to be safe than sorry.
If you see something, say something.™
If you do see something suspicious, please report it immediately.
Take detailed notes, such as the train number or station name. Then
notify a police officer or transit personnel. If you can’t easily locate
someone in uniform, call the police at either 1-877-4VA-TIPS or
911.
Save your local police phone number into your contacts for quick
future reference. By staying aware of your surroundings, you can
make this holiday season truly the most wonderful time of the year.
To make your travel safety list (and check it twice), visit
SecureTransit.org.
This ad was purchased with funds provided by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
6 RIDE Magazine | December 2015/January 2016
VRE WEBSITE
VRE LAUNCHES REDESIGNED VRE.ORG
V
RE has launched a new and redesigned website at www.
vre.org. In planning the new website, VRE reviewed
the most requested information from our riders to
provide and create an intuitive, user-friendly experience
that works on devices such as desktop, mobile and tablet. The
website includes a responsive design and a mobile-friendly
strategy with auto-detection capabilities for smartphones,
tablets and geo-locations services. We also renamed “Rail
Time” to “Train Status” and “Daily Download” to “Daily
Performance,” so that new riders could easily find key items
on our site.
The new website will provide you easy and efficient access
to the most requested service information and create effective
communications for real-time alerts and news plus important
information that may affect your commute.
We have sought to simplify the site’s navigation through
new visual elements and maps and made it compatible with
major browsers with a load time of less than two seconds. It
is designed to integrate with social media and is accessible
for people with physical, sensory or cognitive disabilities. The
website also has a multi-language translator powered by Google
Translate, and in the near future, we will integrate a trip planner
powered by Google Transit.
Please visit the new website at www.vre.org and let us know
what you think. If you have comments or suggestions for the new
site, please email newwebsite@vre.org.
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Positive Train Control Update
VRE is implementing Positive Train Control (PTC)
technology, as it will further enhance the safety of our
passengers and service. President Obama signed a short
term surface transportation funding authorization bill
that includes a three year extension to the December
31, 2015 deadline for implementation of PTC. This
means that there will be no service disruption to VRE
due to this issue. VRE continues to work with our host
railroads to fully implement PTC.
Get Noticed With VRE Advertising
VRE carries 20,000 passengers every workday and
70 percent of passengers have an annual household
income of more than $100,000.
Reach our passengers with advertising opportunities
on our platforms, in our trains and through our
award-winning RIDE Magazine.
For more information go to www.vre.org/advertising
or contact advertising@vre.org or (703) 838-5417.
8 RIDE Magazine | December 2015/January 2016
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RIDE Magazine | December 2015/January 2016 9