advertisement

---

Virginia Railway Express (VRE) has proposed changes to its fare structure — increasing some fares, but offering discounts on others.

Although VRE’s zone increment and base fare would increase, the agency would introduce a five-day pass at a 20 percent discount. Eighty-eight percent of the agency’s passengers take the train four or more consecutive days, according to a prepared statement.

The agency then would decrease the discount for 10-ride passes to 5 percent because the five-day pass would be more cost efficient for passengers, according to a prepared statement.

VRE also would discount monthly tickets 33 percent and extend expiration dates from six months to one year.

As VRE focuses more on its core business — providing commuter service to the Washington, D.C., business district — the agency plans to revise its cross-honorship agreement with Amtrak. VRE has proposed eliminating cross-honorship for Amtrak weekend service, and implementing a $1 to $3 fee for weekday VRE ticket holders who want to transfer to Amtak trains. Currently, the agency pays Amtrak $10 for each ride a VRE passenger takes on an Amtrak train — totaling about $1 million annually.

VRE plans to hold public hearings on the proposed fare changes from late March through early April. If approved, fare changes would go into effect June 28.