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Virginia Railway Express plans to begin final migration to its new fare collection system Aug. 14, featuring touch-screen technology, a faster communications network and magnetic-stripe, credit card-size fare media.



The new ticket-vending machines are designed to accept a variety of debit and credit cards, issue receipts, and inform the purchaser how many rides are left on the ticket when it’s validated.



In addition, the tickets would be sold by origin and destination, rather than by zone number.



However, the new machines are not yet equipped to accept Metrocheks, which are employer-issued media used to purchase public transit.



VRE officials plan to be available at destination stations (Union Station, L’EnFant, Crystal City and Alexandria) Aug. 13 to answer questions patrons might have regarding the new system. Additional information also is being offered at VRE’s Web site at www.vre.org/service/farecollection.htm.