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For every cent per gallon that gas prices rise, Virginia Railway Express’ (VRE) monthly fuel costs go up $1,600. That’s partly why the commuter-rail agency is proposing a fiscal-year 2009 across-the-board fare increase of 3 percent, which also would help cover rising insurance and maintenance costs.

VRE will conduct public hearings during the next several weeks to obtain comments on the proposal, which calls for maintaining the current ticket discount structure. The agency also will seek comments on a proposed fare indexing policy.

If VRE approves the fare hike, it would take effect during the first week of July.