Fares increase on Virginia Railway Express

WASHINGTON -- Add a trip on Virginia Railway Express to the mix of things that now cost more.

Single trip fares went up about 3 percent across the board Tuesday.

A trip from Fredericksburg, Va., to Union Station, which used to cost $8.80, will now cost $9.10. A one-way trip from Manassas Park, Va., to L'Enfant Plaza, used to cost $7.20, and now costs $7.45.

Rates for monthly passes were adjusted on Sunday. A monthly pass between Fredericksburg and Union Station increased about $9. It now costs $252.30.

"I think that is a reasonable rate given the additional costs that we have had to incur," says Mark Roeber, spokesperson for VRE. "Higher fuel prices really have ramped up the operating costs more than almost any other factor."

The rate increase comes at a time when ridership on VRE is swelling.

"We have seen a significant increase in ridership comparing this June to last June. Ridership is up well over 11 percent over that time."

VRE has been flirting with 17,000 weekday trips during some days recently, but is averaging about 16,500 trips per weekday, according to the transportation agency.

While prices are going up and ridership is soaring, the extra revenue generated likely won't be piling up.

"It is very much the yin and the yang," says Roeber. "While we have more people, more energy is being spent pulling the extra riders, adding to fuel costs."

VRE does have plans to expand service, but much of that hinges on what happens with the legislature's special session on transportation funding.

If much needed transportation dollars are restored in the state, Roeber says VRE may purchase additional locomotives and add service.

To see a full list of the new VRE fares, click here.

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