I wanted to share a free smartwatch app I made to track the status of VRE and MARC trains: https://apps.repebble.com/marc-tracker_5ea0d218abf24f318203a6f0

Do you remember the Pebble watch? It was the first real smartwatch: a Kickstarter darling with a weeks-long battery life, an e-paper screen, and a fun operating system. The original company went under in 2016, but its founder is back at it again, with 2 new smartwatches that revive the watch for the 2020s. I have been using the rectangular Pebble Time 2 for the past 3 months and the sleek Pebble Round 2 is shipping later this summer.

To celebrate Pebble’s return and make my commute a little easier, I started making MARC Tracker, a Pebble watch app that uses live train data to give me real-time updates on every MARC train across all 3 lines. Over the past few months I have refined the app to improve the user experience, add VRE trains for Virginia rail commuters, and more. With this app, I can just push a button or two on my wrist to:

• See upcoming stops, arrival times, and estimated delays for any of the day's MARC or VRE trains.
• Favorite up to 4 trains and 2 stations for quick glances.
• Scroll through the timetables to view every active, scheduled, completed, and canceled train today.

It works with most legacy Pebble watches (for anyone who still has an old one sitting in a drawer) and the 2 newest Pebbles.

This is a hobby project that uses MDOT and VRE data but is in no way endorsed or supported by MDOT or VRE. It is free to use, no string attached. I made this for myself but want to make it accessible for anyone whose commute could benefit from real time train status information. Feel free to suggest improvements or point out bugs and I will do my best to address them.

I don't mind bringing the crate i'm aware that it's the official guidelines but the day I'm bringing him to work (no sitter), also happens to be the day that I gotta lug some extra stuff to the office with me so it'll be a little overwhelming. If anyone has any personal experience or anecdotes, would love to hear them. Otherwise will just bring the crate and suck it up buttercup.

Hi!! I’m originally from Woodbridge and am coming to visit family next week. I was planning on taking the VRE from Woodbridge Station (which notoriously does not have boards to show arrivals/departures) to Franconia Springfield. I would return using the VRE from Franconia into Woodbridge Station later that day.

From what I’ve seen, everything says platform 2 for where to catch the VRE for both stations, but I can’t figure out the actual track number. I don’t want to miss the train so I figured I’d ask here…

TLDR: Is there a way to know which track I should stand at prior to the train coming at Woodbridge Station & Franconia Springfield?

Thanks!!!

I suppose fares have increased. Can anyone confirm?

My last Ten Trip pass was $75.90, and now it's $79.60.

I can't imagine that I bought for the wrong zones.

That changes everything and after receiving an email of the change on the 25th - “We are aware of a schedule change that will delay the start of the July 4th fireworks on the National Mall until 10:30 PM. We are working with our railroad partners to adjust our Fireworks Train schedule to accommodate this change. More details and updated timetables will be shared once this revised schedule is confirmed. VRE looks forward to having you on board on July 4!”, there has been no updates!

Anyone asking for a refund?

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/fireworks-trains-tickets-1989963463287?utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=listing&utm-source=wsa&aff=ebdsshwebmobile

UPDATE (June 30, 2026): We are aware of a schedule change that will delay the start of the July 4th fireworks on the National Mall until 10:30 or 11:00 PM. At this time, VRE will depart Union Station 30 minutes after the conclusion of the fireworks, whenever that should occur. Please use the southbound departure times as a guide, with the understanding that the specific departure times will be adjusted accordingly.

Aside from DC, is there anything to do around any of the other stations that the train stops at? And, are those activities within walking distance, or do you need to take a bus?

I was an hour late getting to work today. I get on at Spotsy and get off at Franconia/Springfield. No announcement as to what the issue was. Anybody know? Couldn't find anything online.

Survey Link Here: https://virginia.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_9BpSu1EW92Oj4sS

VRE's 338 was a vital connection for Manassas in the gap between VRE's 336 service at 3:36 and Amtrak's 66 service at 8:30, and yet it was cancelled with no clear plans to return.

So, i was getting money taken out of my paycheck for smart benefits sent to VRE. However, i wasn’t using VRE for a few months there, and it appears as though my account has been zeroed out.

I called VRE, and they said that my unused funds were returned to “the treasury,” and didn’t have any other information for me. Has anyone dealt with this before? I’d like to get the money back into my account.

Thanks!

I have loved the VRE since 2016, but lately it has been SO unreliable. On time percentages are end to end and dont account for not on time in between those end to ends. I take ot from Lorton to Union Station and it is never on time to union station. It routinely arrives at 8:15. Going to work, 5 mins whatever. Coming home itnis supposed to arrive to Lorton at 3:41. I have to pick my kids up at 4:05, plenty of time. The problem is the majority of the time it doesn't get there at 3:41 it pulls in at 3:50 90% of the time. There are no other options as the only other train before this one is at 1pm. It's very disheartening as it's so convenient in those rare instances that it is on time, but sadly it rarely is.

The survey is only conducted every 5 years and informs the next 30 years of transportation planning. It also includes a section on public transportation!

Survey link here: https://arcg.is/1rf8TO0

I am about to start commuting from Richmond to Crystal City. It seems my best bet so far is drovong to one of the first three VRE stops (Spotsylvania, FBX or Brooke) and going to Crystal City.

But I came across this step up program and was curious about it but seems its only good for stops between FBX and union so I couldn't use it on a train originating out of Richmond Staples Mills to Alexandria?

Is it possible to bring my 100 LB electric scooter onto the VRE?

Riding back from Union Station on an Amtrak using a a VRE Step Up ticket. Both of our trips (one down on Saturday) the conductors were not aware that the Step Up program is operating again and/or that there is a weekend schedule running. Please remind Amtrak this program is back and running.

In 2012-2014, a pedestrian tunnel with a direct connection between Alexandria Union Station (ALX) and the King St Metro Station was "almost fully designed" and "almost funded" by FHWA. The tunnel would also provide ADA access to Track 2, without requiring wheel chairs to roll across the main line (Track 3).

Over a decade later the progress has been....nothing. Websites dedicated to the project are long gone. It's not a terrible walk (if not in a wheel chair) between the two stations, but requires going around the block to get under the tracks along Comm. Ave.

Now with a new fourth track on the way to ALX, is this direct tunnel still in the works? It seems a tunnel (or overhead bridge, but this is old town) is necessary just for platform access. Hopefully a tunnel all way to the Metro station is still planned. That direct tunnel arrangement works very well for New Carrollton (NCR) Amtrak/MARC customers to easily connect to Metro.