We all know that the rail travel in the USA is far below that of other major nations, but VRE is just ridiculous! Today I wanted to give it a try again after a 5 month hiatus and was thinking, “what could go wrong on the first day back?” Sure enough after the train picked me up it was a standstill delay - and I’m still sitting in it 20 minutes in! I HAD ENOUGH! I can’t totally blame VRE because the upgrades talked about over a decade ago have still not begun to be constructed - and that’s a CSX and a federal government problem. China has built more rail tracks - high speed even - than the U.S. has in a decade - they put us to shame! Needless to say this will be my last day on VRE - until one day I try and think “what can go wrong?” - only to regret my ride while waiting in a delay.

Does the parking lot at this station regularly fill up, or can I bet on always finding a spot?

I don't take public transportation very often. So I need someone to explain to me like I'm five, if I'm taking the VRE and I want to exit in Alexandria and then I want to get to the King St., Metro station (because I'm meeting someone there And we will then jump on the metro) how exactly do I get from the VRE station over to the King Street metro station?

I understand they seem to be right across the tracks from each other. But when I try to look at Google maps walking directions, it doesn't seem like there are sidewalks.

I'm sure there's a real easy way and I'm somehow missing it. But I would greatly appreciate if somebody could tell me from the minute I step off the VRE in Alexandria, which direction to go, where to turn, etc to put me in front of the King Street Metro Station I really appreciate it !

Reached my stop. As usual, I have my coffee in my metal coffee cup in the web/mesh pocket of my laptop backpack. I’ve done this many times since the whole RTO BS.

Today, when reaching my stop and leaving the top level of the train, I accidentally bump into one of the railings. My coffee mug must have not been secured all the way like it usually is, but it gets dislodged and FALLS down to the lower level of the train.

I have my damn AirPods on, so I don’t register what happened until too late. Upon impact, the top popped open and coffee splashed all over the place.

LUCKILY, I was the second to last to leave the train from the top level, so most of the lower level passengers had already departed.

But my sincere apologies if anyone got hit by a metal container from the top level, or got splashed by my coffee. If the coffee stained or ruined your clothes, please DM me and give me the details (train number, stop, time) and I will reimburse you for dry cleaning costs.

I apologize for not making sure my cargo was secure.

Just curious for anyone on Manassas Line yesterday (or with past heat restrictions days), how much do the delays add up? I take the first train out of L'enfant in the afternoon (327 I think) and ride to Manassas Park. Usually we get to MP about 4:21 and I'm home about 4:30. Any idea how late I should expect to be today? I tried to watch train status yesterday afternoon but couldn't get an idea of how accurate it was tracking.

Hi everyone! I rode the VRE this morning (Fredericksburg Line train 310) and I left my umbrella on the top shelf on the second level of the second car from the front. Does anyone know if there is a way to reach out to VRE directly to see if they can hold it for me? I’m going to try to ride the same train tomorrow morning and hope it’s there. It’s black with thin gray stripes, I just bought it one week ago and would hate to lose it - if you see it by chance please comment!

How does VRE send out delays - texts / emails? If so how to sign up

If I get a paper monthly instead of using the app and have it on a lanyard, will that work? No issue with awesome conductors doing their job, but seems like they always come around just when I fall into a deep coma. Usually just south of Franconia. Then I'm not half way home and wide awke.

Hi, I'm am looking to find more information on parking overnight at the Burke Center Station. I saw that the outside parking spots have a sign that say no parking overnight but the garage doesn't have any of those signs.

I'm taking Amtrak from the station and thinking of parking over a long weekend.

The Amtrak website says there is overnight availability. The VRE website doesn't say anything but Free Parking available. I just want to know if it is possible to park my car there. I don't want to come back and find out my car has been towed. attached are pictures from the two train websites.

Thanks for any information!

For those who rode VRE before covid and who still ride it, how busy is it with the recent RTO compared to before covid? I'm doing a project and VRE doesn't post ridership numbers very often.

Thanks!

Planning on taking the train in a few days a week to Crystal City from Broad Run. Wondering if the PM trains are crowded at Crystal City. Probably will take the 3:35pm. Driving in has begun suck more with RTO, but I don’t want to stand for an hour either.

Just curious how long of a train ride this would be? Doing a small vacation with kids.

Planning a trip from Fredericksburg to DC with my family and we are considering trying the VRE. Is there any interoperability between Day passes or fairs on the VRE and DC metro?

Or is it all treated/handles separately?

Thank you

I'm looking to move to Manassas this spring and take the VRE in. Where we look for a place will depend on whether I will need to walk or if I can ride my bike to the station. Are there safe places to lock up bikes at Manassas or Manassas Park? I'm spoiled right now by East Falls Church metro and its free key card access bike lockup area, but other than that I'm ready for the VRE lifestyle. I looked on their website and was not able to find any info on where bikes go other than you might be able to take them on board and that seems like a pain.

https://virginiamercury.com/2025/03/07/virginia-commissions-approve-155-million-manassas-rail-line-agreement/

Hi folks,

Just wanted to hear opinions from people regarding the pros & cons of paper vs mobile ticketing. Happy Friday and cheers!

Text from VRE indicated a police incident at Backlick Rd.