That might happen after the new Spotsylvania station opens in the Crossroads Industrial Park off the U.S. 17 bypass. Officials hope to have the station open in late 2013.

While there are parking issues, as with downtown Fredericksburg, VRE and its member jurisdictions are expanding the lots.

Work to add spaces is going on now at the Leeland and Brooke stations in Stafford. The new Spotsylvania station also will add more parking for VRE riders.

If recent years are any indication, ridership likely will keep growing, which is something VRE officials expect to happen.

Back in 2002, VRE's 10-year anniversary, the average daily ridership stood at about 12,000. Two years later, that figure jumped to about 15,000.

Now there are days when the rider trips regularly hit 20,000 and sometimes top 21,000.

"Our success is due in part to the quality and convenience of the ride," said Milde, who sometimes uses the trains to commute. "VRE is a class act."

Scott Shenk: 540/374-5436
Email: sshenk@freelancestar.com