Virginia Railway Express
Many of you have asked what should you do if you use VRE to get to work and, while there, Washington, DC/Northern Virginia is evacuated. More importantly, you have inquired what are VRE’s plans should there be a danger and people need to go home immediately.
For “standard” service disruptions, VRE has contracted with PRTC/OmniRide to be our agent for emergency bus service. This service, as many of you have experienced previously, operates from Franconia-Springfield and West Falls Church Metro Stations. However, a service disruption for a terrorist incident does not lend itself to emergency bus service because the need to evacuate would be immediate and buses could not handle the load
Upon notice of an emergency situation, VRE passengers should first check the VRE website and/or their Train Talk for emergency updates. Information will first be posted there telling passengers what steps VRE is undertaking to get them home. It is distinctly possible that evacuation process by train may be complicated by the fact that the rails we operate on go under various congressional buildings and may be shut down by law enforcement personnel. While we do have secondary plans in place, they take more time to implement. Given that possibility, VRE recommends passengers develop one or two alternate plans to get home. One that involves public transportation and one that does not.
Scenario I: If the bridges and tunnels are open, VRE will begin service southbound immediately. Schedules, if possible, will be posted on the VRE website, sent via Train Talk and downloaded to the message boards at the station.
Scenario II: If you cannot get information or train service is halted in the Washington, DC area, VRE passengers should exit the city by the quickest means possible and make their way home via their alternate method. Those dependent upon VRE should go to Crystal City or Alexandria. Shuttle train service from one or both of those stations will be initiated at the earliest possible time. In this scenario, service across the Potomac River is not contemplated.
Again, if possible, schedules will be posted on the VRE website, sent via Train Talk and downloaded to the message boards.
Please let us know if you have any questions or comments regarding this plan. We can be reached at gotrains@vre.org.