Virginia Railway Express
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER’S
REPORT
September 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
May
June
July
August
70
13
6
0/20
87.9%
145
18
19
5/22
76.9%
229
18
30
4/21
63.0%
112
26
24
3/22
82.7%
34
16
5
86.9%
63
20
10
77.4%
125
19
16
55.8%
65
23
8
77.9%
36
11
1
88.8%
82
16
9
76.4%
104
18
14
69.1%
47
32
16
86.7%
SYSTEM RIDERSHIP
Average daily ridership for the month of August was 17,053, which marks the eighth
consecutive month where average daily ridership was above 17,000. While August ridership
has not broken daily records like earlier in the year, cumulative and monthly ridership continue
to be higher than at the same time last year. Comparison of the monthly ridership for August
2009 to August 2010 indicates an increase of 12%, while year to date ridership is 8.5% higher
than last year.
ON-TIME PERFORMANCE
System-wide on-time performance for the month of August was 82.7 %. On-time performance
on the Fredericksburg Line for the month of August was 77.9 % and the Manassas Line was
86.7%. Performance rebounded from July after Keolis brought in additional maintenance
personnel to reduce mechanical delays. In addition, crews are getting more familiar with the
service requirements and less railroad issues occurred (i.e. brush fires, derailments, heat and
flood restrictions) during late August. When comparing the first half of August to the latter
half, there is a significant improvement in the second half, when on-time performance was over
90% on both lines during the second half.
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NEW LOCOMOTIVE
VRE received the first new locomotive, V50, on June 24, 2010. After a series of static,
compatibility testing with VRE passenger cars, the V50 operated over VRE territory the first
time on July 17, 2010. This started a series of non-passenger test runs to validate performance
characteristics such as acceleration, deceleration and ride quality.
On August 2, 2010, the V50 entered passenger service for the first time on Fredericksburg train
302. Acceptance testing is ongoing along with mechanical and train operations familiarity
training. To-date, the V50 has met VRE performance requirements. We will continue to monitor
and evaluate reliability and performance and look forward to receiving the balance of the order
beginning in December 2010.
VRE SECURITY CAMPAIGN
September is “National Preparedness Month”. As such, VRE is taking the initiative to
implement a new Security Campaign entitled, “Security is No Accident.” The campaign, which
begins this month, consists of a series of station posters, a seat drop card which can be used as a
bookmark, a luggage tag, window decals for inside the trains, and a security page on the VRE
web site. The campaign message is, “If you see suspicious objects, an unattended package, or
strange behavior at the station or in the parking lot, call 911 and give the description and
location. If you’re on the train, inform the conductor immediately.” The funding for this
campaign was provided by a grant from the Department of Homeland Security.
WOODBRIDGE STATION EXPANSION
The second platform on track 3 at the Woodbridge VRE Station became operational on August
31, 2010. VRE, along with Amtrak, can utilize the platform. Passengers will use the overhead
pedestrian bridge to gain access to the platform and garage on the track 2 side. Both stairs and
an elevator provide passengers access. An inter-track fence prevents the use of the asphalt cross
walk.
GAINESVILLE-HAYMARKET
DRPT staff is completing the final review of an Addendum to the Rail Enhancement Fund (REF)
agreement for the Gainesville-Haymarket Extension project. The award of the consultant
contract to conduct the environmental review and preliminary engineering for VRE is pending
the execution of this Addendum.
BROAD RUN PARKING
Prince William County has developed plans to add approximately 150 spaces to the Broad Run
VRE station. This action is in response to overcrowding at the station and as an interim solution
until the parking garage project is completed. The County expects site plan approval this
month and construction to begin early October of this year. The lot expansion is expected to be
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completed by this winter. The parking garage project is currently in the planning stages and an
RFP for design services is being developed.
BROOKE AND LEELAND PARKING UPDATE
VRE is currently working with Stafford County on the plan review process and obtaining the
necessary permits for the Brooke parking extension. The final bid set will be ready for
procurement in spring 2011. This site will add an additional 200 parking spaces.
VRE is also working with Stafford County on the plan review process for Leeland. 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.
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MONTHLY PERFORMANCE MEASURES – AUGUST 2010
MONTHLY ON-TIME PERFORMANCE
ON-TIME
PERCENTAGE
August Fredericksburg OTP Average
77.9%
August Manassas OTP Average
86.7%
AUGUST OVERALL OTP AVERAGE
82.7%
RIDERSHIP YEAR TO DATE
RIDERSHIP
VRE FY 2010 Passenger Totals
VRE FY 2009 Passenger Totals
726,115
669,524
PERCENTAGE CHANGE
8.5%
RIDERSHIP MONTH TO MONTH COMPARISON
DESCRIPTION
MONTHLY RIDERSHIP
AUGUST 2010
365,362
AUGUST 2009
326,594
PERCENTAGE CHANGE
11.9%
SERVICE DAYS (CURRENT/PRIOR)
21/21
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