FLS: VRE ridership slips
The Free Lance-Star reports Fredericksburg area commuters aren't so approving of VRE as some might wish:During the first three months of 2006, ridership was down an average of 4.2 percent compared with the first three months of 2005.
Last year, from July through November, trains were late on the Fredericksburg line 30 percent-40 percent of the time. Then the service had its first derailment in January, which shut down service for the rest of the day. Passengers already in Washington were brought home on buses.
...
VRE knows there is a connection between the dip in passengers and delays, spokesman Mark Roeber said.
"There's only so much people can take before they're like, 'OK, I've got to try something else,'" Roeber said. This despite efforts of Chancellor District Supervisor Hap Connors to raise the gas tax to pay for VRE.
Add this to the stack of evidence that Spotsylvania does not want the VRE, much less wants to pay for it.
|
 |
Mark Gardner 
1 Comments:
Not being a rider then, I don't know how it would affect my attitude of today. Since I've been riding (about 5 months) I think the 77% performance seems low. I know that they are considered late if it is 5 minutes past, but when I drove, I was probably "late" 95% of the time if I was driving in rush "hour"
My guess is that most of the riders that were lost live in the Woodbridge area and north, and thus can justify driving/slugging a bit more. From VRE's website Freds parking lot is at 121% capacity, and Leeland Road is at 96% capacity.
With Gas prices rising, I would expect to see the numbers peak back up a bit in the coming months, however hopefully is is on the later trains because the first two trains in the morning are at 96% and 97% capacity.
I can understand why some in Spotys wouldn't want a station, pay for taxes, etc. From my standpoint, I hope they don't get it, because I want to make sure I keep getting a seat.
Post a Comment
Home