WASHINGTON — Riders could be paying more to ride the Virginia Railway Express.
Officials said the proposed 3 percent fare hike is needed to pay for rising operating costs. With the increase, Amtrak Step-up tickets, which riders can use in conjunction with a VRE ticket, would also go up, from $5 to $7.
The rate hike, if adopted, would take effect July 1, 2017, which is the beginning of the fiscal year 2018. The last rate increase was a 4 percent jump across the board in July 2015.
The public has numerous chances to weigh in on the proposed increase. VRE is holding a series of hearings in March on the issue.
Below is a list of public hearing times and locations.
Tuesday, March 7, 2017 at 12 p.m.
Crystal City Marriott, 1999 Jefferson Davis Highway, Arlington, Va. 22202
Tuesday, March 7, 2017 at 7 p.m.
“The Commons” Community Center, Burke Centre Conservancy, 5701 Roberts Parkway, Burke, Va. 22015
Wednesday, March 8, 2017 at 12:00 p.m.
Meeting Room: House Holiday Inn [L’Enfant] 550 C. Street, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20024
Thursday, March 9, 2017 at 7 p.m.
City Council Chamber Room, Manassas City Hall, 9027 Center Street, Manassas, Va. 22110
Tuesday, March 14, 2017 at noon
VRE Offices, 1500 King Street, Suite 202, Alexandria, Va. 22314
Tuesday, March 14, 2017 at 7 p.m.
P.R.T.C. Board Room, 2nd Floor, 14700 Potomac Mills Road, Woodbridge, Va. 22192
Wednesday, March 15, 2017 at 7 p.m.
Stafford County Government Center, Board Chambers, 1300 Courthouse Road, Stafford, Va. 22554
Thursday, March 16, 2017 at 7 p.m.
F.A.M.P.O., 406 Princess Anne Street, Fredericksburg, VA 22401
VRE is accepting written comments through Friday, March 17, 2017. Mail your comment to the attention of “VRE, Public Comment,” 1500 King Street, Suite 202, Alexandria, Virginia 22314.
Email comments to publiccomment@vre.org. Fax comments to 703-684-1313.
