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VRE fares could increase 15 percent in January; public hearings scheduled this month Date published: 9/6/2008
By KELLY HANNON Like most American households, the Virginia Railway Express is spending more on fuel than it planned this year. And now it may ask commuters to help cover the bill. Public hearings this month are scheduled on a proposal that could raise fares as much as 15 percent in January, and as much as 10 percent next summer. VRE officials have cautioned that the percentage increases could be lower than 15 percent and 10 percent, but the VRE Operations Board wants to get public comment on the highest possible increases. Traditionally, fares for train service from Fredericksburg and Manassas to Washington have been raised only in midsummer--the beginning of VRE's fiscal year. This July, fares were raised an average 3 percent. But VRE's diesel fuel expenses have risen 78 percent over the past year. The $4 million VRE allotted to spend per year on fuel in 2009 and 2010 will not be enough, the agency acknowledged in a message to riders. State and federal funding levels for the commuter service are set, and a "windfall" from the Virginia General Assembly is not likely, said Mark Roeber, VRE's manager of government relations and public affairs. "Nobody expects or believes that is going to happen," Roeber said. Area localities that support VRE--Stafford County and Fredericksburg--pay a subsidy, and levy a 2 percent gas tax. But some jurisdictions have indicated they are unwilling to pay more, Roeber said, and the increased gas-tax receipts will not be enough to cover fuel costs. The only remaining options are raising fares or cutting service, he said. A 1 percent fare increase raises an extra $200,000 to $250,000 a year. So a 15 percent fare increase could raise $3 million to $3.75 million. VRE has taken several cost-cutting steps.
Date published: 9/6/2008
Should be held liable for failing to perform its fiduciary duties to the Virginia taxpayer. Roads, traffic, transportation suck! WTF are all our taxes paying for? Oh if you voted for that douchebag Howell, you don't get to complain.
First, the 2% subsidy supposed to benefit Stafford's transportation issues and not to be spent 100% for VRE. Supervisor Milde should never have been placed on the VRE Board if he beleives all that earned money belongs to the VRE. I hope that he will be an ex-Superviosr with the end of this term, He is no friend of Stafford residents
serving a few at a price many others pay.
With the proposed locality subsidy (not the 25% fare increase) Stafford taxpayers will have seen a 415% increase in 3 years of their subsidy. Its time to spend our gas tax revenue on our roads not subsidizing Spotsy riders.
VRE could balamce their shortfalls but dropping an up and back run from both the Manassas and Fredericksburg lines. The excess cars could be rationed to the other consist and perhaps VRE could actually make it on-time better than today. Constantly raising prices which they have done so for the past few years has not improved their service on a regular basis. VRE should not provide a major increase of fares at this particular time.
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