Adjusting to the evolving realities of commuting in a post-Covid world—where four in ten jobs allow some remote work—is imperative for our region’s transit systems. Operators are striving to match service to demand, not only during traditional commuting hours, but instead scaling to provide all-day, all-week, bi-directional service. In this new commuting landscape, the Virginia Railway Express (VRE) recently adopted its System Plan 2050, a forward-looking, pro-growth investment that advances a more competitive and connected super region.

The intention of a more seamless and frequent regional rail network has been core to the Greater Washington Partnership’s Regional Mobility & Infrastructure (RMI) initiative, notably leading to the creation of the Capital Region Rail Vision (the Rail Vision) in 2021. The Rail Vision establishes an ambitious quarter-century agenda for passenger rail investment, expansion, and improvement that would boost the region’s economic competitiveness and expand access to opportunity. More directly, it responded to the growing need—laid bare and accelerated by the pandemic—for all-day, bi–directional service across the VRE and Maryland Area Regional Commuter (MARC) networks.

VRE’s System Plan 2050 comes on the heels of generational investments in our region’s passenger rail infrastructure, like the $6 billion Frederick Douglass Tunnel and the $2 billion Long Bridge megaprojects—two priorities outlined in the Rail Vision. This investment coincides with record demand for state-sponsored Amtrak service in Virginia, as the Commonwealth has hit ridership records over the last three years and Richmond’s Staples Mill Station was again named Amtrak’s busiest in the Southeast. Virginia’s momentum also correlates with an increasing nationwide call for increased investments in passenger rail (read more here and here) and transit expansion, similarly reflected in the Maryland Transit Administration’s MARC Growth and Transformation Plan for significantly expanded service and new extensions into Virginia.

By harnessing this energy and achieving the service goals outlined in the Rail Vision, our region could bring its network squarely into the 21st century and deliver a globally competitive system that elevates the region as a world-class rail hub. VRE’s System Plan 2050, which has been in development since June 2022, is a significant milestone towards realizing that comprehensive regional vision.

VRE System Plan 2050 Details 

The plan and correlating actions are guided by a vision statement: “VRE will grow to serve the region as the transportation service of choice, creating meaningful connections and economic opportunities in a safe, sustainable, reliable, and equitable manner.” To accomplish that vision, VRE established four distinct goals: maintaining a record of safety and reliability, growing the market and increasing financial stability, integrating into the regional system and implementing more equitable service, and prioritizing sustainability and resiliency.   

Safety and Reliability  

VRE is dedicated to maintaining a strong record of safety and reliability through proactive maintenance, continuous monitoring, and strategic investments. Further, VRE is committed to ensuring the system, including its capital assets and rolling stock, remains in a state of good repair, which can reduce infrastructure-related delays and interruptions and is critical for delivering safe and reliable service. To meet its 2030 service goals, VRE is procuring 21 new railcars in the second half of 2027. Not only will the new trains enable higher frequencies, but they will also provide safer and more reliable service while enhancing the customer experience, elevating VRE’s service as a mode of choice.  

Market Growth & Expanded Levels of Service   

Adjusting to the changes in commuting and anticipated population growth in Northern Virginia and Fredericksburg, VRE will boost service by 63% by 2030, adding 10 new round trips a day, 3 weekend round trips on each line by 2026, and more bi-directional service. By 2050—enabled by major Transforming Rail in Virginia investments—VRE expects to be running trains at 20-minute frequencies during peak periods, 30-minute frequency for reverse- and off-peak service, and at least hourly service at all times of day, including weekends. This would significantly increase current service levels and have a transformational effect on residents’ mobility options.  

Through implementing frequent and user-friendly service enabled by significant capital investments, VRE would grow its overall ridership and revenue, and the region’s residents would have enhanced access to opportunity.    

Regional System Integration & Equitable Service  

VRE is a critical component of our region’s transit and passenger rail landscape. Currently, VRE does have existing connections to other operators such as Amtrak, Metrobus, and MARC. However, as noted in the Partnership’s Blueprint for Regional Mobility: 5-Year Refresh, there is great potential in more fully integrating multimodality, innovation, and new technologies to promote efficiency, especially at major transportation hubs. The VRE 2050 System Plan highlights the opportunity for increased transit connections at significant VRE stations—such as Fredericksburg and Manassas—which currently serve as commuter hubs. Additionally, the plan highlights the importance of increased pedestrian and bicycle access to VRE stations throughout the region and acknowledges that these improvements will require collaboration and partnership with local jurisdictions and transit operators. The graphic below shows proposed connections to VRE service by 2050, recognizing that this plan is not a budgetary document and additional analysis and investment is required to make this vision a reality.

VRE is also targeting increased service to emerging communities in Equity Emphasis Areas, which are census tracts identified by the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments that have a high concentration of low-income individuals. This goal aligns closely with the Rail Vision’s emphasis on fostering a more accessible and equitable transportation system.    

Sustainability & Resiliency 

Efficient and seamless multimodal infrastructure can provide greater resilience by diversifying regional mobility options for residents. Additionally, commuting via rail is generally more energy-efficient than other modes of transport, supporting regional initiatives to reduce the environmental impacts of transportation. In identifying sustainability and resilience as a core goal in the System Plan, VRE moves the region closer to a more connected, seamless rail network that is reliable, positioned to leverage existing and planned infrastructure assets and adaptable in an ever-changing mobility and energy landscape.

What’s Next 

VRE’s System Plan 2050 directly advances the Partnership’s Rail Vision, bringing the region one step closer to the reality of a network that better serves the region’s workforce and meets the needs of the region’s leading employers, all while strengthening regional economic resilience and vitality. Completing the Long Bridge, Frederick Douglass Tunnel and other Phase 1 projects of Transforming Rail in Virginia will be critical first steps in enabling significant VRE service growth and scaled-up daily operations.

“Mobility in the region is critical for continued, sustained economic growth. The investment in a robust and multimodal transportation network has never been more important – for both the region and its leading employers.” 

— Robert D. Moser, Jr., Chief Executive Officer, Clark Construction Group, Blueprint for Regional Mobility: 5-Year Refresh

As construction of these critical infrastructure projects kicks off, service impacts are anticipated. VRE and its regional partners are working to reduce, mitigate, and communicate work-related outages and delays. For the most timely and accurate updates, riders should sign up for VRE’s email and text alert service, Train Talk.

Virginia’s passenger rail investment and long-range planning come as our region approaches a transit funding crossroads. Without adequate funding, VRE’s System Plan—as well as MARC’s Growth and Transformation Plan—cannot be fully realized. VRE relies on finite local, state and federal funding, and farebox revenues to support both operational and capital spending. Looking ahead to Virginia’s 2026 legislative session, lawmakers are expected to respond and act upon the recommendations emerging from the DMV Moves Task Force and Joint Subcommittee Northern Virginia Growing Needs of Public Transit, some of which will likely impact VRE funding levels. The Greater Washington Partnership continues to be engaged in these efforts, which will provide clarity for the future of transit funding in the region.

VRE’s bold network transformation plan reflects the reality of how our region is moving today and where it is headed in the years to come. The plan addresses growing demand for reliable, bi-directional service throughout the day and on weekends, and meets the emerging mobility needs of our growing, economically vibrant corridor.