VRE SYSTEM PLAN WEBINAR

1. VRE SYSTEM PLANWEBINAR October 9, 2013 Christine Hoeffner, VRE Foster Nichols, Parsons Brinckerhoff

2. Webinar Overview Introduction of presenters Format of webinar Participant questions

3. SYSTEM PLAN OVERVIEW

4. What is a System Plan? • Re-set the vision for VRE’s future • Evaluate alternative future scenarios • Ridership growth • Capacity needs • Capital project requirements • Funding and partnership strategies • Develop decision-making framework

5. What is a System Plan? • The VRE System Plan will not • Be prescriptive • Develop fully-designed capital projects • Guarantee funding availability • Compel other entities to act • Be a regional transportation plan

6. VRE’S ROLE INREGIONAL TRANSPORTATION

7. Sustained Ridership Growth Total Ridership has tripled since inception and doubled in last decade 18,880 System Total 13,950 11,510 Fredericksburg 15-year trend: +8% per year 9,780 7,370 9,100 Manassas 6,260 6,590 5,250

8. VRE Ridership Market Share Core Markets • Fredericksburg Line to Core • Fredericksburg – Brooke >50% • Quantico – Woodbridge 10%-50% • Lorton <10% • Manassas Line to Core • Broad Run – Manassas Park 10%-50% • Burke Centre – Backlick Rd. <10% Future growth in VRE ridership will result from: • Population growth in the Outer Zone • Increased service in the Inner Zone Inner Zone Markets Middle Zone Markets Outer Zone Markets

9. PROPOSED SYSTEM PLAN INITIATIVES

10. Potential VRE Service Initiatives Group CImplementRegionalRail ServiceConcepts Group BExpand Servicein Core VRE Territory Group AMaximize Service Within Existing Operating Capacity & Agreements 10

11. Definitions • “Group” • A set of “initiatives” that share similar characteristics and level of complexity • The differences among groups are not entirely hard and fast • The System Plan is likely to combine ideas from all three groups • “Initiative” • A VRE service concept • Composed of a set of capital projects that enable the service • May require changes to railroad operating agreements or other agreements • “Project” • The building block of initiatives, such as additional track, station parking or train storage capacity

12. Group A: Longer Trains • 8 car trains (ultimately 10 cars) • Increase size of fleet • Increase station and yard capacity Mid-Week PM Peak Passenger Loads and Seating Capacity by Train, 2013  Capacity with Train Lengthened to 10 cars Fredericksburg Line Manassas Line Passengers at Peak 12

13. Group A: Additional Peak Trains • Limited opportunities to grow • Cap on daily trains • Constrained train storage • 1-2 additional round trips on each line • Relieve overcrowding on existing trains 14 VRE 2 2 Available 16 VRE 2 2 Available Daily train slots per MOU: VRE Manassas Trains VRE Fredericksburg Trains Virginia Intercity Trains Available Unused Slots

14. Potential core system expansion projects Additional station parking Station access improvements Longer station platforms Additional rolling stock Increased train storage capacity Group A Initiatives

15. Group B: Increase Peak Period VRE Service • More weekday peak trains(AM inbound, PM outbound) • Service options • 20 minute headways • Outer zone express service • Expand peak service windows

16. Group B: Gainesville-Haymarket Extension • Within existing VRE service area • Provides I-66 congestion relief • Potential multi-modal hubs and reverse commute opportunities Haymarket Gainesville Sudley Manor

17. Group B: Reverse Commute Service • New travel market for VRE • Smaller market but locally significant • More efficient use of trains and DC mid-day storage • Requires additional system capacity • Operating slots • Additional track • Second platforms at stations

18. Group B: Off-Peak Service Mid-day, Evening, and/or Weekends Provides flexible travel for commuters and others Taps additional markets Requirements similar to Reverse-Commute service

19. Group B: All-Day Bi-Directional Service • Maximizes VRE ridership potential • Supports efficient operations • Provides regional transportation benefits • “Whole is greater than the sum of the parts” M M M M M 19

20. Group B Initiatives • Additional core system investments beyond Group A • Second platforms at VRE stations • Railroad infrastructure to support bi-directional passenger operations • Long Bridge/Alexandria to DC rail corridor • Additional triple-tracking on Fredericksburg Line • Manassas-Haymarket rail line capacity

21. Group C: Regional Rail Concepts • VRE run through to MARC Camden and Brunswick Lines • Service to Silver Spring, Rockville, College Park, Savage (Ft. Meade) and Baltimore • Potential mid-day storage opportunities

22. Group C: Regional Rail Concepts • MARC run through to Alexandria • Significant travel market • MARC trains supplement or replace VRE service • Requires station and yard improvements in Virginia

23. Group C: Regional Rail Concepts • Combined VRE & MARC run through service • Reverse-commute service as Initial Step • Ultimate Potential • Fully-integrated regional rail network • Frequent service between Union Station and Alexandria

24. Basic capital needs similar to Group B Rolling Stock and Station Platforms Initial step can use existing VRE and MARC fleets Ultimate potential realized with a uniform fleet Station platform considerations for ADA compliance Washington Union Terminal Run through service reduces train storage needs Investment to increase capacity for through service (TBD) Expanded operating agreements Package C Initiatives

25. NEXT STEPS

26. Next Steps • Analysis of Improvement Initiatives • Ridership market impact • Capital cost and incremental operating costs • Benefits and implementation considerations • Adoption by VRE Operations Board – December 2013 • Priority projects included in VRE annual budget and CIP • Ongoing stakeholder and interagency outreach

27. QUESTIONS

28. Thank You! Additional information about the System Plan http://www.vre.org/about/strategic/strategic_plan.htm Submit questions about the System PlanVRESystemPlan@vre.org