AGENDA ITEM 11-A
ACTION ITEM
TO:
CHAIRMAN BULOVA AND THE VRE OPERATIONS BOARD
FROM:
DALE ZEHNER
DATE:
MARCH 18, 2011
RE:
AUTHORIZATION TO INCREASE THE CONTRACT AUTHORIZATION
FOR THE TWO-WAY RADIO COMMUNICATION PROJECT
_____________________________________________________________________
RECOMMENDATION:
The VRE Operations Board is being asked to authorize the Chief Executive Officer to
execute a contract amendment with Bearcom Wireless for the two-way VHF radio
communication system project in the amount of $115,000 for a total contract
authorization of up to $363,400.
BACKGROUND:
On June 15, 2007, the Board authorized $248,400 for the installation of a two-way radio
system that allows VRE staff to monitor CSX, NS and Amtrak train radio
communications from the Communications Room at the VRE Alexandria office. The
system also allows train staff to communicate with the host railroads on the railroads’
designated frequencies. The system is currently operational and is used to monitor
train service.
With the new operating contractor (Keolis), VRE staff now has the opportunity to
communicate directly with Keolis crews using its own frequency. However, the newly
installed radio system must be modified in order to boost frequencies to enable this new
communication capability system wide.
This authorization will allow the purchase and installation of onboard train equipment to
allow handheld radio equipment to be used to also communicate with the VRE
Alexandria office.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Funds for the project are included in VRE’s Capital Improvement Program. Funding is
available from a FY 2005 Department of Homeland Security Grant, for which no local
match is required.
TO:
FROM:
DATE:
RE:
CHAIRMAN BULOVA AND THE VRE OPERATIONS BOARD
DALE ZEHNER
MARCH 18, 2011
AUTHORIZATION TO INCREASE THE CONTRACT AUTHORIZATION
FOR THE TWO-WAY RADIO COMMUNICATION PROJECT
RESOLUTION
11A-03-20011
OF THE
VIRGINIA RAILWAY EXPRESS
OPERATIONS BOARD
WHEREAS, the two-way radio project has been completed and is currently in use to
monitor train traffic at the VRE Alexandria office; and,
WHEREAS, the need for additional equipment for the two-way radio communication
project has been identified to allow two way communications between VRE staff and
train crews.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT, the VRE Operations Board authorizes
the Chief Executive Officer execute a contract amendment with Bearcom Wireless for
the two-way VHF radio communication system project in the amount of $115,000, for a
total contract authorization of up to $363,400.
AGENDA ITEM 11-B
ACTION ITEM
TO:
CHAIRMAN BULOVA AND THE VRE OPERATIONS BOARD
FROM:
DALE ZEHNER
DATE:
MARCH 18, 2011
RE:
AUTHORIZATION TO AMEND THE VRE TARIFF TO REDUCE
THE PRICE OF THE STEP-UP FARE
RECOMMENDATION:
The VRE Operations Board is being asked to authorize the Chief Executive
Officer to amend the VRE tariff to reduce the price of the Step-Up fare from
$10.00 to $5.00, effective May 1, 2011 for a period of one year.
BACKGROUND:
At the January 2011 Operations Board meeting, the Board authorized the Chief
Executive Officer to hold public hearings and solicit feedback on several changes
in the VRE fare policy in an effort to mitigate crowded conditions on VRE trains.
One of those items was a proposal to lower the price of the Step-Up fare to
encourage additional riders to use their VRE tickets to ride under-utilized Amtrak
trains. VRE held public hearings at Fredericksburg, Woodbridge, Manassas,
Burke Centre, Alexandria and Washington, D.C. to give the public the opportunity
to comment on this proposal.
With ridership outpacing the ability to provide additional seats, VRE staff
identified the opportunity to shift additional VRE riders over to the Amtrak trains
as a way to open up capacity on VRE trains. If the cost to a rider for a Step-Up
fare is reduced to $5.00, it is anticipated that more VRE riders will switch to the
Amtrak trains, opening up seats for standees on some of the VRE trains. It is
estimated that VRE ridership on Amtrak trains will increase from about 26,500
trips per year (100 trips/day) to about 60,000 trips per year (250 trip/day).
VRE currently pays Amtrak $10.00 per trip for each VRE rider that chooses to
use Amtrak trains and passes that cost on to the rider in the form of the Step-Up
fare. VRE would continue to pay Amtrak $10.00 per trip, with only a portion of
that cost borne by the rider. The annual cost to VRE would be about $300,000.
HOW THE STEP-UP TICKET WORKS:
Riders choosing to take advantage of the Step-Up program must have two VRE
tickets. First, they must have a VRE multi-ride ticket for the correct zones (10Ride Ticket, Five-Day Pass, Monthly Pass or Transit Link Card). The fare from
this ticket covers the VRE expenses related to their trip such as parking lot
leases, fare collection equipment, facilities maintenance and other VRE services
that the riders use even if they ride an Amtrak train. In addition, riders must have
a Step-Up ticket. The Step-Up fare covers the fee that VRE must pay Amtrak for
each VRE rider using Amtrak trains.
Select Amtrak trains on both the Fredericksburg Line and Manassas Line, as
listed on the VRE schedule, accept the Step-Up ticket. Amtrak trains only stop at
certain VRE stations – Fredericksburg, Quantico, Woodbridge, Manassas, Burke
Centre, Alexandria, L’Enfant, and Union Station – which provides riders on them
a travel time savings over full stop VRE trains (although not all Amtrak trains stop
at Woodbridge and L’Enfant).
Amtrak trains accepting the VRE Step-Up ticket are interspersed with VRE trains
in the morning and afternoon peak travel periods. On the Fredericksburg Line
there are two morning Amtrak trains and three evening Amtrak trains that can
accommodate additional VRE riders and free up seats on VRE trains. There is
also an evening Manassas Line train slotted between VRE trains that could offer
relief to VRE riders. Additional Amtrak trains outside VRE’s peak hours also
accept VRE riders.
Fredericksburg Line Morning Trains
Train
Arrives Union
Station
306
308
AMT 86
310
312
AMT 174
7:37
8:04
8:15
8:42
9:09
9:30
Number of
Seats
Number of
Riders
Number of
Standees
798
975
177
819
1155
236
could accommodate riders from 308
703
565
0
399
435
36
could accommodate riders from 312
2
Fredericksburg Line Evening Trains
301
Departs
Union
Station
12:55
AMT 95
303
AMT 125
305
307
2:30
3:35
3:55
4:10
4:40
309
AMT
93/83
5:15
Train
Number of Seats
Number of
Riders
Number of
Standees
399
172
0
could accommodate riders wishing to travel
between 301 and 303
798
1097
299
could accommodate riders from 303 and 305
819
983
164
1095
1214
119
819
5:50
1214
395
could accommodate riders from 309
Manassas Line Evening Trains
Train
Departs
Union
Station
329
AMT 171
4:25
4:50
331
5:05
Number of Seats
Number of
Riders
Number of
Standees
819
881
62
could accommodate riders from 329 and 331
1107
1129
22
BENEFITS:
There are benefits to both VRE and the rider for buying down the Step-Up fare.
For VRE, this allows VRE to use available capacity on Amtrak trains.
Approximately 250 riders per day are expected to transfer to Amtrak trains using
their VRE tickets should the Step-Up fare be reduced to $5.00.
For the rider, there is increased flexibility, as Amtrak offers trains at times that
VRE does not operate. Most notably, reducing the Step-Up fare could
encourage riders from the 5:05 AM express Train 300 on the Fredericksburg Line
to take Amtrak Train 95 for an earlier return trip home in the evening. Amtrak 95
operates between mid-day VRE Train 301 and Train 303, the first VRE train of
the afternoon rush hour. It departs Union Station at 2:30 PM, nearly an hour
earlier than Train 303, which currently has nearly 300 standees.
3
In addition, there is a substantial time savings to a trip on an Amtrak train since it
does not make all VRE station stops. Of course, riders also enjoy the extra leg
room and café car that is available on most Amtrak trains.
Example of Typical Cost for VRE Riders Assuming a $5 Step-Up Cost
Typical Trip
Fredericksburg –
Union Station
Quantico – Union
Station
Woodbridge –
Union Station
Manassas –
Union Station
Burke Centre –
Union Station
VRE
Ticket*
Step-Up
Ticket
$9.48
$5.00
$7.77
$5.00
$7.20
$5.00
$7.77
$5.00
$6.63
$5.00
Total Cost Comparable Savings to
to Rider
Amtrak Fare Trip Time
per Trip
$14.48
$23.00
15-20
minutes
$12.77
$20.00
10-15
minutes
$12.20
$19.00
10-15
minutes
$12.77
$15.00
10-15
minutes
$11.63
$15.00
10-15
minutes
*Cost of one ride of a 10-Trip ticket, the most expensive multi-ride ticket.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
Public comment on this item was overwhelmingly positive, with 98% of the
responses on this topic in support of reducing the cost of the Step-Up fare.
Eighty-three responses were in support of this proposal, while only two were
opposed. Many riders at stations where Amtrak trains stop commented they
would be much more likely to switch over to an Amtrak train if the cost of a StepUp ticket was lower; the likelihood of a VRE rider switching to an Amtrak train
increased with the decline in the price of the Step-Up fare.
Below are estimates on the numbers of VRE riders that would switch to Amtrak
trains based on various Step-Up fare levels.
Step-Up Cost
Est. Annual Trips on Est. Daily Trips on
Cost to VRE
To the Rider
Amtrak Trains
Amtrak Trains
$10
26,500
100
$0
$7
30,000 **
120
$90,000
$5
60,000 **
250
$300,000
$2
90,000 *
350
$700,000
$0
115,000 *
450
$1,150,000
* estimates based on actual numbers, adjusted to reflect today’s ridership
** estimates
4
FISCAL IMPACT:
VRE staff estimates that the proposed change in the Step-Up fare would cost
$300,000 which is available in the operating budget.
5
TO:
FROM:
DATE:
RE:
CHAIRMAN BULOVA AND THE VRE OPERATIONS BOARD
DALE ZEHNER
MARCH 18, 2011
AUTHORIZATION TO AMEND THE VRE TARIFF TO REDUCE
THE PRICE OF THE STEP-UP FARE
RESOLUTION
11B-03-2011
OF THE
VIRGINIA RAILWAY EXPRESS
OPERATIONS BOARD
WHEREAS, ridership has been growing at a rate that outpaces the ability to add
seating capacity; and,
WHEREAS, VRE riders can currently ride select Amtrak trains with a multi-ride
ticket in conjunction with a $10 Step-Up fare; and,
WHEREAS, Amtrak trains operating in VRE territory are underutilized; and,
WHEREAS, VRE staff has identified the reduction in the price of the Step-Up
fare as a way to mitigate the increased ridership and crowded conditions; and,
WHEREAS, the Chief Executive Officer sought and received authorization to
solicit comments related to a reduction in the Step-Up fare; and,
WHEREAS, public comment supported the reduction in Step-Up fares.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT, the VRE Operations Board
authorizes the Chief Executive Officer to amend the tariff to reduce the Step-Up
fare to $5 for a period of one year beginning May 1, 2011.
6
AGENDA ITEM 11C
ACTION ITEM
TO:
CHAIRMAN BULOVA AND THE VRE OPERATIONS BOARD
FROM:
DALE ZEHNER
DATE:
MARCH 18, 2011
RE:
AUTHORIZATION TO AMEND THE VRE TARIFF TO ELIMINATE
THE DISCOUNTED FARE FOR GROUP TICKETS
RECOMMENDATION:
The VRE Operations Board is being asked to authorize the Chief Executive
Officer to amend the tariff to discontinue discounted group fares.
BACKGROUND:
At the January 2011 Operations Board meeting, the Board authorized the Chief
Executive Officer to hold public hearings and solicit feedback on several changes
in the VRE fare policy in an effort to mitigate crowded conditions on VRE trains.
One of those items was possibility of discontinuing the discounted group fares.
VRE held public hearings at Fredericksburg, Woodbridge, Manassas, Burke
Centre, Alexandria and Washington, D.C. to give the public the opportunity to
comment on this proposal.
VRE currently offers a discount of 50% off the single ride fare to groups with 10
or more fare-paying passengers. Over the years, VRE staff has tried to limit the
group trips to those trains with enough capacity to accommodate the extra riders.
With many of our trains operating over capacity, VRE staff have received
negative comments from long-term riders about the fact that groups are able to
pay half off the ticket price and have a seat if they board at an end of the line
station, while a passenger paying a full fare that boards further down the line may
have to stand.
As part of this recommendation, VRE staff would like to continue to work with
groups who want to ride VRE. Staff that work regularly with the groups feel that it
would be beneficial to have the groups continue to receive full fare
commemorative tickets through the VRE office, which will also allow the number
of groups to be tracked. VRE staff would then be able to provide train crews
advance notice when large groups are expected to be on the train. This also
reduces the potential need for groups to use the ticket vending machines to
purchase and validate tickets, especially when groups of one hundred or more
are boarding at one station.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
The majority of the public who opted to comment on this proposal, 87% (55
people), supported the elimination of the discounted group fare. Approximately
13% (8 people) were opposed to eliminating the discount fare; several people in
that group suggested decreasing the amount of the discount as an alternative to
eliminating it completely.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Minimal fiscal impact is expected as a result of the change to group fares; if there
is any impact a positive impact is expected.
2
TO:
FROM:
DATE:
RE:
CHAIRMAN BULOVA AND THE VRE OPERATIONS BOARD
DALE ZEHNER
MARCH 18, 2011
AUTHORIZATION TO AMEND THE VRE TARIFF TO ELIMINATE
THE DISCOUNTED FARE FOR GROUP TICKETS
RESOLUTION
11C-03-2011
OF THE
VIRGINIA RAILWAY EXPRESS
OPERATIONS BOARD
WHEREAS, ridership has been growing at a rate that outpaces the ability to add
seating capacity; and,
WHEREAS, VRE staff has identified the elimination of the discounted group fare
as a way to mitigate the increased ridership and crowded conditions; and,
WHEREAS, groups of 10 or more fare paying passenger currently can purchase
discounted tickets at 50% off the single-ride fare; and,
WHEREAS, the Chief Executive Officer sought and received authorization to
solicit comments related to a proposed modification to the group fare policy; and,
WHEREAS, public comment supports the elimination of discounted group fares.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT, the VRE Operations Board
authorizes the Chief Executive Officer to amend the tariff to eliminate discounted
group fares.
3
AGENDA ITEM 11-D
ACTION ITEM
TO:
CHAIRMAN BULOVA AND THE VRE OPERATIONS BOARD
FROM:
DALE ZEHNER
DATE:
MARCH 18, 2011
RE:
AUTHORIZATION TO AMEND THE VRE TARIFF TO MODIFY
THE BICYCLE POLICY
RECOMMENDATION:
The VRE Operations Board is being asked to authorize the Chief Executive
Officer to continue to allow full size bicycles on board select trains but amend the
tariff to modify the bicycle policy to allow conductors the discretion to deny
bicycle boarding on crowded trains where the presence of a bike would present
an obstacle or otherwise pose a risk to the safety of other passengers.
BACKGROUND:
At the January 2011 Operations Board meeting, the Board authorized the Chief
Executive Officer to hold public hearings and solicit feedback on several changes
in the VRE fare policy in an effort to mitigate crowded conditions on VRE trains.
One of those items was the possibility of eliminating full size bicycles from VRE
trains. VRE held public hearings at Fredericksburg, Woodbridge, Manassas,
Burke Centre, Alexandria and Washington, D.C. to give the public the opportunity
to comment on this proposal.
HISTORY:
Over the years, VRE has adjusted its bicycle policy several times based on
space availability on board the trains. Prior to the arrival of the new Gallery cars,
VRE only permitted collapsible bicycles on board the trains. Once the new
Gallery cars were in operation, the policy was changed to permit bicyclists to
bring full size bicycles on the last three trains on both lines in the mornings and
the evenings. With ridership increasing and the number of standees growing,
there is little room for bicyclists to safely store their bicycles and still provide
seating for all riders. As a result, staff investigated the possibility of limiting
bicycles once again to collapsible bicycles only.
In February 2011, there were 47 bicycles transported on VRE trains,
approximately 2 per day. The Fredericksburg Line carried more bicycles than the
Manassas Line. In the spring, this number is likely to increase with the good
weather and the potential for higher gas prices.
While the number of bicycles transported per train is not high, VRE staff
continues to have concerns for overall passenger safety when bicycles are
present on overcrowded trains. In order to address this safety issue, it is
proposed that the bicycle policy be modified to give conductors the discretion to
limit or deny boarding of bicycles on a train if they feel the bicycle would present
an obstacle or otherwise pose a risk to the safety of other passengers and/or the
safe operation of the train. All crews would undergo re-training to address this
change to the bicycle policy.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
Only 29% of respondents (67 people) were in favor of eliminating access for full
size bicycles on the trains while 71% of respondents (161 people) were opposed
to prohibiting bicycles on trains. Although there were a greater number of
comments received about the proposed change to the on-board bicycle policy
than the other fare policy issues up for public comment, only 15% of the
respondents opposed to the proposed change were actually VRE riders. In fact,
56% of the people commenting negatively on this issue were not VRE riders, but
members of the public who feel strongly about bicycle accessibility in general, as
indicated below.
In Favor
Opposed
Opposed – VRE Rider
Opposed – Non-Rider
Number of
Comments
67
161
34
127
Percentage of Total
Comments
29%
71%
15%
56%
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no fiscal impact anticipated with modifying the bicycle policy.
2
TO:
FROM:
DATE:
RE:
CHAIRMAN BULOVA AND THE VRE OPERATIONS BOARD
DALE ZEHNER
MARCH 18, 2011
AUTHORIZATION TO AMEND THE VRE TARIFF TO MODIFY
THE BICYCLE POLICY
RESOLUTION
11D-03-2011
OF THE
VIRGINIA RAILWAY EXPRESS
OPERATIONS BOARD
WHEREAS, ridership has been growing at a rate that outpaces the ability to add
seating capacity; and,
WHEREAS, the Chief Executive Officer sought and received authorization to
solicit comments related to a proposed change in the bicycle policy; and,
WHEREAS, VRE staff has identified several other programs to address the
increased ridership and crowded conditions; and,
WHEREAS, public comment supports continuing to allow full size bicycles on
board trains; and,
WHEREAS, VRE staff have concerns for overall passenger safety when bicycles
are present on overcrowded trains.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT, the VRE Operations Board
authorizes the Chief Executive Officer to continue to allow full size bicycles on
board trains but amend the tariff to modify the bicycle policy to allow conductors
the discretion to deny bicycle boarding on crowded trains where the presence of
a bike would present an obstacle or otherwise pose a risk to the safety of other
passengers.
3