AGENDA ITEM 9-D
ACTION ITEM
TO:
CHAIRMAN MILDE AND THE VRE OPERATIONS BOARD
FROM:
DALE ZEHNER
DATE:
FEBRUARY 19, 2010
RE:
AUTHORIZATION TO CONDUCT PUBLIC HEARINGS RELATED
TO A PROPOSED SERVICE AMENDMENT
RECOMMENDATION:
The VRE Operations Board is being asked to authorize the Chief Executive
Officer to solicit comment through public hearings related to a proposed change
in service in which an express train would be added and two morning and two
evening trains per day would terminate and originate at the L’Enfant VRE station.
BACKGROUND:
As part of the FY 2011 budget presentation in December, VRE staff proposed
that beginning in July, two morning trains (one on each line) and two evening
trains (one on each line) would terminate and originate at the L’Enfant VRE
station. As such, these particular trains will not serve Union Station. This
proposal will open up mid-day storage which will allow the following to occur:
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
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Addition of a new express train to leave Fredericksburg at 5:05am and
make stops at Fredericksburg, Leeland Road, Brooke, Alexandria, Crystal
City, L'Enfant, and Union Station
Addition of two cars to Manassas Line trains 326 and 329
Addition of one car to Fredericksburg Line trains 308 and 311
Addition of two cars to Fredericksburg Line trains 300 and 307
As it is challenging to determine which trains would terminate at L’Enfant, VRE
initiated a public outreach campaign on February 1, 2010 to seek comment on
the proposal. VRE staff suggested Manassas Line train 330 and Fredericksburg
Line train 304 would terminate at L’Enfant in the morning and Fredericksburg
Line train 301 and Manassas Line train 333 would originate at L’Enfant in the
evening.
VRE received numerous comments both supporting and opposing the proposal
as well as many questions. After a preliminary review of the comments, it
became obvious that a full comment period would benefit both VRE and the rider.
VRE staff felt that the complexity of the proposed service changes as well as the
types of questions being asked would be most efficiently addressed in a setting
where an open dialogue could occur.
Public hearings will be held in Alexandria, Woodbridge, Fredericksburg,
Manassas, and the Union Station area. VRE staff will report back to the
Operations Board with a summary of comments and recommendation for action
in April.
FISCAL IMPACT:
VRE staff estimates that these proposed changes will have a positive impact on
revenue. Details will be provided once a final plan has been formulated.
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TO:
FROM:
DATE:
RE:
CHAIRMAN MILDE AND THE VRE OPERATIONS BOARD
DALE ZEHNER
FEBRUARY 19, 2010
AUTHORIZATION TO CONDUCT PUBLIC HEARINGS RELATED
TO A PROPOSED SERVICE AMENDMENT
RESOLUTION
9D-02-2010
OF THE
VIRGINIA RAILWAY EXPRESS
OPERATIONS BOARD
WHEREAS, as part of the FY 2011 budget presentation in December, VRE staff
proposed a service amendment 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 amendment would not only allow VRE to add an express train,
but also to lengthen several existing trains to provide more seats; and,
WHEREAS, VRE initiated a public outreach campaign on February 1, 2010 to
seek comment on the proposal; and,
WHEREAS, VRE received numerous comments both supporting and opposing
the proposal as well as many questions; and,
WHEREAS, after a preliminary review of the comments, it became obvious that a
full comment period would benefit both VRE and the rider.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT, the VRE Operations Board
authorizes the Chief Executive Officer to solicit comment through public hearings
related to a proposed change in service in which an express train would be
added and two morning and two evening trains per day would terminate and
originate at the L’Enfant VRE station.
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