Virginia Railway Express
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER’S
REPORT
April 2012
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
December
January
February
March
21
15
1
0/21
96.5%
10
15
1
0/20
98.3%
21
19
3
0/20
96.5%
17
23
2
1/22
97.4%
10
17
1
96.5%
7
15
1
97.5%
7
16
0
97.5%
10
29
2
96.8%
11
12
0
96.6%
3
16
0
99.1%
14
21
3
95.6%
7
14
0
98.01%
SYSTEM RIDERSHIP
The average daily ridership (ADR) for March was 19,171; a slight drop as compared to previous
months. March 2012 ADR was 2% lower than last March 2011, with almost 400 less trips per
day. That said, year-to-date ridership nine months into the year is still 7.9% higher than last
year. There were also three out of twenty-two days with ridership over 20,000 in March. The
top ten ridership days are below:
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
April 12, 2011
March 23, 2011
December 6, 2011
December 14, 2011
December 1, 2011
April 13, 2011
May 10, 2011
April 6, 2011
October 25, 2011
January 11, 2012
1
21,496
21,136
20,953
20,853
20,824
20,803
20,803
20,791
20,789
20,777
While the system is no longer posting record ridership numbers month after month, a spring
drop in ridership is consistent with years past. ADR has a tendency to level off or decline as
commuters take vacation in the spring and summer months. If history repeats itself, a spike
would then occur in September when commuters return to work. We are, however, watching
trends closely to see if the reduction in the commuter benefit and/or overcrowding may also be
having an impact.
ON-TIME PERFORMANCE
During the month of March, 660 trains operated with only 17 delays. In addition, we achieved
14 days of 100% on-time performance (OTP). System wide OTP was 97.42% in March. The
Fredericksburg line saw 96.75% OTP and the Manassas line saw 98.01% OTP. March is the sixth
straight month of 95% OTP or better. Only one month this fiscal year (September) saw OTP less
than 92%.
BROOKE AND LEELAND PARKING LOT EXPANSIONS
Construction at Leeland is underway and, once complete, will yield an additional 196 parking
spaces. The parking lot will remain fully operational during construction.
Coordination with Dominion Virginia Power to relocate utilities at Brooke is ongoing and actual
construction is expected to begin in July and be completed by December.
GAINESVILLE-HAYMARKET
VRE counsel is reviewing the revised agreement for Gainesville-Haymarket. The award of the
consultant contract for environmental review and preliminary engineering is pending the
execution of this agreement.
SPOTSYLVANIA THIRD TRACK
Work is now underway to finalize the funding plan with the Commonwealth and negotiate an
agreement with CSX on project construction.
2
SUMMONS OVERVIEW
In March, there were 68 cases of fare evasion that were brought before the court. Details are
provided below:
Outcome
Occurrences
Fine
Court
Costs
Continued
4
Guilty with reduced fine
0
$50
$81
Prepaid
Guilty
Guilty in absentia
Dismissed
Dismissed
Dismissed due to passenger
Is under 18 years of age
Waived with Proof of Monthly Ticket
Waived due to defective ticket
Waived because of validation
23
2
17
6
5
0
$100
$100
$100
0
0
0
$81
$81
$116
0
$81
0
9
2
0
MEET THE MANAGEMENT
The annual “Meet the Management” program began at Union Station on April 4. VRE
management visits a different station each week, bringing refreshments and handouts for
passengers. The goal is to meet our riders in person and hear questions, complaints, or
comments. Board Members are welcome to attend any of the events. The schedule is provided
below.
April 18
April 25
May 2
May 16
May 23
May 30
June 6
June 13
June 20
June 27
July 11
July 18
July 25
August 1
August 8
August 15
Crystal City, all evening trains
Alexandria, all evening trains
Franconia/Springfield, all evening trains
Fredericksburg, all morning trains
Broad Run, all morning trains
Leeland Road, all morning trains
Manassas, all morning trains
Brooke, all morning trains
Manassas Park, all morning trains
Quantico, all morning trains
Burke Centre, all morning trains
Rippon, all morning trains
Rolling Road, all morning trains
Woodbridge, all morning trains
Backlick, all morning trains
Lorton, all morning trains
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MONTHLY PERFORMANCE MEASURES – MARCH 2012
MONTHLY ON-TIME PERFORMANCE
ON-TIME
PERCENTAGE
March Fredericksburg OTP Average
96.75%
March Manassas OTP Average
98.01%
VRE MARCH OVERALL OTP AVE.
97.42%
RIDERSHIP YEAR TO DATE
RIDERSHIP
VRE FY 2012 Passenger Totals
VRE FY 2011 Passenger Totals
3,534,898
3,275,243
7.9%
PERCENTAGE CHANGE
RIDERSHIP MONTH TO MONTH COMPARISON
DESCRIPTION
MONTHLY RIDERSHIP
MARCH 2012
421,769
MARCH 2011
449,867
PERCENTAGE CHANGE
-2.0% (NORMALIZED)
SERVICE DAYS (CURRENT/PRIOR)
22/23
4