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Virginia Railway Express could introduce 5:05 a.m. train on Fredericksburg Line in 2010; train would be express to Northern Virginia, D.C. after Stafford stops Date published: 2/21/2009
BY KELLY HANNON WOODBRIDGE-- Early birds in the Fredericksburg area may finally get their wish for a Virginia Railway Express train that leaves before 5:15 a.m.Railroad track improvements funded with state and federal money have opened up slots for new VRE trains to operate beginning in late 2009 or early 2010. Yesterday, VRE chief executive officer Dale Zehner recommended using one of the slots on the Fredericksburg Line for a 5:05 a.m. express train. Train 298 could leave Fredericksburg at 5:05 a.m. and stop only at Leeland Road and Brooke before becoming an express to Alexandria, Crystal City, L'Enfant Plaza and Union Station. The earliest train now departs Fredericksburg at 5:15 and makes all stops along the line. It is VRE's most popular train, and by Woodbridge some boarding passengers must stand. If approved, Train 298 would arrive in Alexandria at 6:07 a.m. It would pull into Crystal City at 6:15, L'Enfant Plaza at 6:33 and Union Station at 6:29. Funding the train would require a one-time $200,000 payment to staff the train, and $628,000 in annual operating costs. Zehner thinks VRE would gain at least 200 new riders by starting this train. He said he has heard from more than 400 riders who have expressed interest in riding an earlier morning train. That may be enough people to fund the train on ticket fares alone, and it would probably not increase the local subsidy VRE member communities pay, Zehner said. Subsidies are based almost entirely on ridership in a community. Also, Train 298 would free up seats on Train 300, making that ride more pleasant for later riders. The VRE Operations Board heard about Train 298 as part of a informational presentation yesterday during its monthly meeting in Woodbridge. The Operations Board has not approved this train yet. That vote would occur later this year, when Zehner makes 2010 budget recommendations.
Date published: 2/21/2009
One reason why the first train is overcrowded is VRE's unrealiable arrival history in getting into DC. The 3 hour cushion usually covers the "unexpected" delays in mechanical problems, fires, and broken CSX trains. If 300 is over 2 hours late - VRE Fredericksburg schedule is disfunctional and makes commuters late. If an early EXPRESS train is started will a late evening past southbound 7:30 train also be instituted? Commuters also have late days.
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