VRE

Virginia Railway Express (VRE) is a commuter rail system serving Northern Virginia and the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. It operates two lines, the Fredericksburg Line and the Manassas Line, which connect communities in Northern Virginia with downtown Washington, D.C., and regional employment centers. The service uses tracks owned by freight railroads and provides access to Union Station in Washington. Major operating corridors include the Fredericksburg corridor to the south and the Manassas corridor to the west.

VRE was established in the early 1990s as a joint venture funded by the Commonwealth of Virginia and the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission (NVTC). Operations are contracted to Amtrak under a long-standing arrangement, with trains running on tracks owned by CSX Transportation and Norfolk Southern. The system is designed to integrate with the wider national rail network and to complement other regional transit services.

Rolling stock for VRE consists of diesel locomotives and bi-level passenger cars. The equipment has undergone modernization through capital programs intended to improve reliability and passenger comfort. Trains typically operate during weekday peak periods with additional mid-day and limited weekend service, providing connections for commuters traveling to and from the Washington area and its outer suburbs.

Ridership and service levels reflect regional growth and transportation policy. From time to time, VRE plans capital improvements and service expansions to address capacity constraints, reduce congestion, and improve frequency. Proposed developments often include increased service on existing lines and potential future extensions, subject to funding and environmental reviews.