VRE to recommend another fare hike

ALEXANDRIA, Va -- Fresh off a fare hike in July, Virginia Railway Express riders should once again brace themselves for higher prices.

At a board meeting this Friday, VRE CEO Dale Zehner will recommend that the board of directors authorize a fare increase of 7 percent, starting January 1, 2009.

VRE staff say the increase is needed to cover escalating costs like fuel and maintenance at a time when ridership is at an all time high.

The 7 percent figure is actually lower than the original 15 percent increase that was being debated. Agency officials believe it will provide the most return as far as revenue, while at the same time not driving a large amount of customers away.

If fares are not increased, service may have to be cut, particularly during the middle of the day. A survey of VRE riders found that the majority oppose any possible service cuts during that time period.

Here are some sample fares if the 7 percent fare increase goes into effect on VRE:

A one-way trip from Fredericksburg to Union Station would increase about 60 cents, from $9.10 to $9.70. A monthly pass between those two locations would increase about $17, from $252.30 to $270.00.

A one-way trip from Manassas Park to L'Enfant Plaza would increase about 55 cents, going from $7.45 to $8.00. A monthly pass between those two locations would increase about $15, from $206.50 to about $221.00.

VRE fares increased 3 percent across the board in July.

(Copyright 2008 by WTOP. All Rights Reserved.)