AGENDA ITEM 9-D
ACTION ITEM
TO:
CHAIRMAN MILDE AND THE VRE OPERATIONS BOARD
FROM:
DALE ZEHNER
DATE:
APRIL 16, 2010
RE:
AUTHORIZATION TO APPROVE THE ADDITION OF AN EARLY
MORNING EXPRESS TRAIN ON THE FREDERICKSBURG LINE
RECOMMENDATION:
The VRE Operations Board is being asked to authorize the Chief Executive
Officer to add an early morning Express Train on the Fredericksburg line
beginning July 19, 2010.
BACKGROUND:
As part of the FY 2011 budget presentation in December, VRE staff presented a
service expansion proposal designed to mitigate crowding on trains, fully utilize
VRE equipment, provide expanded service, and increase ridership.
The proposal included lengthening trains and adding an express train which
required two morning trains (one on each line) and two evening trains (one on
each line) to terminate and originate at the L’Enfant VRE station.
A public outreach campaign seeking comments on the proposal commenced on
February 1, 2010. Survey Monkey was also launched on March 12 to collect
information on specific scenarios posed to the passengers. After preliminary
review of the comments received, a modified proposal with three options was
presented to the public and the deadline for comments was extended to March
31, 2010.
The modified proposal included the following options:
Option 1 - Add two railcars to trains 300/307
Option 2 - Option 1 plus add an express train on Fredericksburg Line to store at
L’Enfant
Option 3 - Option 2 plus store another consist at L’Enfant, to add railcars to
Manassas Line 326/329 and Fredericksburg Line 308/311
PUBLIC COMMENT:
Public hearings were held in Alexandria, Burke, Woodbridge, Fredericksburg,
Manassas, and the Union Station area. Sixty-eight people attended the hearings
and 2,744 surveys were completed on Survey Monkey.
Nearly 45% of the official comments received, summarized below and samples
also attached, expressed concern regarding the origin and termination of trains at
L’Enfant. The consensus from these passengers was that reducing the amount
of service available to them in order to provide seats to other passengers was
unjust. The majority of passengers attending the hearings stated that they would
prefer overcrowding to terminating or originating any trains from the L’Enfant
station. They felt that the delay in their schedules and inconvenience would far
outweigh the benefits received. Many riders also indicated that they would move
to trains on either side of the train proposed to terminate or originate at L’Enfant,
furthering the crowding on those trains. It is estimated that at least 400 to 600 of
the current VRE riders would be disadvantaged or inconvenienced by terminating
and originating VRE at L’Enfant
A summary of the e-mails, faxes and letters sent to “Public Comment” at VRE is
provided below:
Not Happy with Proposed Changes re: L’Enfant
Happy/Okay with Proposed Changes re: L’Enfant
Thrilled with Express Train
Want Express Train on Manassas Line
Happy/Okay with All Proposed Changes
Not Happy/Okay with any of the Proposed Changes
Want Woodbridge added to Express
Want Quantico added to Express
Want Union Station to Remain Station on Express*
Total
216
23
93
16
111
3
11
11
11
495
*Number low because discussions regarding elimination of Union Station from Express train did
not occur until after the comment period began.
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While we found that the majority of all riders completing the Survey Monkey
supported the concept of adding railcars, it was not surprising that the support
was predominantly to passengers not traveling to Union Station. The Survey
Monkey questionnaire and summary of the results are attached. Please note
that any comments received as part of Survey Monkey were reviewed and
considered but not included in the summary of official public comment.
RECOMMENDED PROPOSAL
After presenting riders with several options and evaluating the collective
comments made, VRE staff is recommending a modified proposal in which an
express train would be added to the Fredericksburg line. While initial thoughts
were to have the express train terminate at L’Enfant, requiring an evening train to
also originate at L’Enfant, the proposal is now to run a short express train that
can be stored on the existing tracks at Ivy City.
If approved, the express train would depart Fredericksburg at 5:05AM and make
stops at Fredericksburg, Leeland, Brooke, Woodbridge, Alexandria, Crystal City,
L’Enfant and Union Station beginning July 19, 2010.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The annual cost for operating the express train is estimated at $386,000. If 200
new trips are made on VRE, the train will be cost neutral. If only 160 new trips
are made on VRE, the annual net cost would be $106,000. We estimate a
minimum of 160 new riders of VRE and expect the number to be closer to 200
after one year. The cost is included in the FY 2011 budget, as presented to the
Operations Board in December.
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TO:
FROM:
DATE:
RE:
CHAIRMAN MILDE AND THE VRE OPERATIONS BOARD
DALE ZEHNER
APRIL 16, 2010
AUTHORIZATION TO APPROVE THE ADDITION OF AN EARLY
MORNING EXPRESS TRAIN ON THE FREDERICKSBURG LINE
RESOLUTION
9D-04-2010
OF THE
VIRGINIA RAILWAY EXPRESS
OPERATIONS BOARD
WHEREAS, as part of the FY 2011 budget presentation in December, VRE staff
proposed a service expansion plan in which an express train would be added
and two morning and two evening trains per day would provide service only as
far as the L’Enfant VRE station; and,
WHEREAS, this proposed plan included adding an express train and lengthening
several existing trains to provide more seats; and,
WHEREAS, VRE initiated a public outreach campaign to seek comment on the
proposal on February 1, 2010, which was extended until March 31, 2010; and,
WHEREAS, following public comment, a modified proposal is now being
recommended.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT, the VRE Operations Board
authorizes the Chief Executive Officer to add an early morning Express Train on
the Fredericksburg Line beginning July 19, 2010.
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SAMPLE OF COMMENTS RE: PROPOSED SERVICE CHANGES
I like your idea of making the express train terminate at L’Enfant – less impact on
current riders
Having trains terminate and originate at L’Enfant Plaza will make my riding experience
worse. I already avoid departing from L’Enfant because it is overcrowded. I strongly
prefer continuing the 5pm departure from Union Station on the Manassas Line. Thank
you.
Great ideas and options for service capacity due to the high demand for VRE rail
services.
There has to be a better way to add cars to prevent crowding without eliminating stops
for others. By eliminating stops to Union Station, you are providing an inferior service to
others.
VRE does a great job and the service is much appreciated. However, both VRE and
Metro need to closely watch their fare costs as it is increasingly becoming more
expensive to take mass transit than it is to drive. It is great that parking at VRE is for
the most part free. I’ve been using VRE for over 10 years and have always wished
there would be a train arriving into Union Station at 9:30am and leaving Union Station at
8pm.
PLEASE do not screw your customers by your success. I stood with you when your on
time % was in the 50’s. Now I’m standing most mornings. Take care of me!
I think the idea of eliminating the deadheading train in the middle of the day is a good
idea and the addition of the express train in the morning. Any thinking “outside the box”
to better serve the riders is a good thing.
1
Thank you for the awesome service! These proposed enhancements will only improve
a great service. I was thinking this morning how much I take VRE for granted – and that
is strangely perhaps. . . the greatest compliment I can give! That is, I know you’re going
to get me to work and back safely, reliably, well informed, courteously, and mostly right
on time. NOT minor accomplishments, particularly given that you don’t own the rails we
ride on!!!
I love riding VRE. You are incredibly responsively and genuinely try to make VRE the
best it can be. I ride to Union Station on the Manassas Line every day. I work at the
US Capitol. While terminating at L’Enfant would be difficult, I would support it if less
people had to stand in the mornings. Thanks for all that you do!
Ending trains at L’Enfant is a terrible solution from my point of view. It means fewer
trains that I can take to get to and from work. Seems like a big benefit of your proposal
is to add a train to the Fredericksburg line by hurting Manassas line riders. If you end
trains at L’Enfant, please adjust the schedules of other trains to reduce the time gap
between trains that serve my stations (Burke to Union Station). PLEASE STOP
advertising for more VRE riders until you can adequately serve the customers you have
now. Thank you.
Your proposed plan would result in my no longer using VRE for my commute.
Terminating a train at L’Enfant is OK, but not originating from Union Station is not.
Boarding at L’Enfant is already extremely overcrowded and difficult.
People affected by the trains that will terminate at L’Enfant can always take the metro
from Union Station to L’Enfant. Please make decisions that affect the most riders in a
positive way, not just the few. Also, VRE rocks. Thanks for the continued safe ride to
work!
It would be an inconvenience to have to switch trains when taking Manassas 330 in the
morning. One large reason I rider VRE over Metro is the straight shot between home
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and Union Station – not having to switch trains. With 1/4 of your ridership, at least,
heading to Union Station, it’s a disservice to have to change trains. Thanks for your
consideration.
I very strongly do NOT support changes in service which include ending train service at
L’Enfant. I would prefer to stand.
As a rider, I feel I am continually having to make adjustments to my schedule to
accommodate something from VRE. I take an earlier train than I used to due to the
parking situation at Broad Run. I have now had to switch to the Manassas station in
order to get parking. Now, I may have to adjust schedules again because of the trains
not going all the way into Union Station. I realize that VRE is trying to improve service,
but for any passengers who need to detrain and wait for another train, it is an additional
inconvenience and adds more time to an already lengthy trip. Would VRE consider
taking all trains into Union Station and then returning a train set back to the storage
yard? When will VRE start making adjustments for its passengers instead of the
passengers making adjustments for VRE?
Some points to look at are as follows:
1. The number of people who use the VRE to get to Ft. Belvoir in the morning and
evening
2. The new DOD facility which is being built south of Springfield and will open in
2011 and will increase ridership
3. How many stops do you add before it is no longer an express train
Thx Much for the great service you all provide. Keep up the good work and don’t get
frustrated by the limited number of unhappy riders who usually also happen to be the
most vocal.
Although I travel from Lorton to Union Station 5 days a week, I can adjust my schedule
around the trains that terminate at L’Enfant. I would prefer less crowding by adding
more cars and timely arrival to work are most important to me.
3
Take the bikes off the train until you get a handle on the overcrowding please.
I appreciate your work. VRE does an outstanding job obtaining customer input, both
through these types of surveys, your CEO chats, etc. I think that is the sign of a mature,
respectable organization who truly wants to give back to the community.
An earlier morning express will allow me to switch to a four day work schedule. I’m very
much supportive of your efforts to improve the quality of service. Thank you very much.
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Survey Monkey Results
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Total of 2,744 surveys completed.
Majority of responses from Fredericksburg and Broad Run station riders in the
morning and L’Enfant and Union Station riders in the evening.
Majority of responses from Manassas line riders (53%) over Fredericksburg line
riders (45%).
Fifty-seven percent of Fredericksburg line riders surveyed do not want to see an
earlier train added to the Fredericksburg line.
o Majority of those responding “no” currently travel to Union Station.
o When asked what was needed instead, 91.3% said a morning train and
92.5% said an evening train.
Sixty percent of riders did not feel additional stops should be added to the
express train beyond Fredericksburg, Brooke and Leeland. However, if one was
added the majority thought it should be at Woodbridge.
Over half of all passengers have standees on their morning train and over 70%
have standees on their evening train.
Majority of Union Station passengers did not have standees on their morning
trains but did on their evening trains, although they personally found a seat
90.5% of the time in the evening.
Over 95% of passengers on both lines would support the addition of railcars to
reduce crowding.
o Nearly 70% of Union Station passengers would not support additional
railcars if it meant terminating at L’Enfant.
o Majority of non-Union Station passengers on both lines would support
additional railcars even if it means terminating trains at L’Enfant.
Nearly eighty percent of all Fredericksburg line riders would support the addition
of an express train if it could only be added by terminating trains at L’Enfant –
although nearly 90% of these responses where from passengers who don’t travel
to Union Station.