Virginia Railway Express Fares To Increase In July

BURKE, VA—Virginia Railway Express, a commuter train connecting various towns with DC, is set to increase fares by an average 3 percent starting on July 1, 2019.

VRE cited increased operational costs as the main factor for the increase. Customers can purchase a July monthly ticket at the current rate through June 30.

Prices are based on which zones the origin station and destination are located in. For example, a single ride from Burke Centre or Rolling Road (zone 4) to Union Station or L'Enfant Plaza (zone 1) will go up from $8.40 to $8.55. A ten-trip pass increases from $76 to $78.70 and a monthly pass from $229.40 to $237.

For trips from Franconia-Springfield or Backlick Road (zone 3) to Union Station or L'Enfant Plaza (zone 1), a single trip goes up from $7.65 to $7.80. A ten-trip pass increases from $69.50 to $71.80 and a monthly pass from $209.60 to $216.20.

The announcement drew ire from commenters on Facebook.

Fares stayed the same last year. VRE's last fare hike happened on July 1, 2017.

The full fare chart with the new rates is available at www.vre.org/service/fares.

The VRE fare increases will come in the midst of the summer shutdown of six Blue and Yellow Line stations. The closed King-Street-Old Town and Franconia-Springfield Metro stations are located near VRE stops. VRE has temporarily cut the cost of single-ride Amtrak step-up tickets to $4 for riders with multi-ride VRE passes.