Webb Dedicates New VRE Locomotives to Improve Transit Service in Northern Virginia

In Alexandria, Senator Webb and members of the Virginia Railway Express (VRE) Operations Board ceremonially dedicated the arrival of the first new Tier-Two locomotive into VRE’s fleet. The new trains were made possible through more than $5 million in federal funding appropriated by Senator Webb, as well as nearly $9.8 million in funding through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), supported by Webb.  The remaining balance was drawn from VRE formula funds and matching contributions from the community.

The event represents the culmination of a promise that the VRE Ops Board made two years ago when it pledged to bring new locomotives to the fleet as a way to improve service.

“These new locomotives will not only benefit the immediate need for stronger and more reliable trains to service current ridership levels, but also allow for the expansion of service by permitting the Virginia Railway Express to lengthen existing trains,” said Webb. “The growth of the VRE since its inception in 1992 is one of the real success stories we have in Northern Virginia’s transportation system during the past two decades.”

That sentiment was echoed by VRE Operations Board Chairman, Paul Milde, who has ridden the trains and has seen firsthand why these new locomotives are so important to the service. “These new locomotives were one of a series of initiatives that this Board took over the past few years to ensure that VRE service would improve,” said Milde. “I am fully confident that when these new locomotives are all in place that VRE will be better positioned to continue our mission of easing congestion, decreasing pollution and improving the quality of life for not only our riders but really all the people who live in our region.”

“I am proud to support VRE with so many state and local officials.  This is truly a positive example of how government can work together at every level to benefit Virginians.” continued Senator Webb. “With increasing energy costs and traffic congestion in Virginia’s main arteries, it is critical to invest in VRE as well as other integrated transportation solutions.  It is also encouraging that this purchase coincided with new federal rail safety efforts, and will provide increased efficiency and safety for riders.”

To date, the Operations Board modified their existing contract with MotivePower to increase the contract to $76.7 million for the purchase of nineteen locomotives. They are tentatively scheduled to start arriving on the property in October 2010 – timed to meet anticipated ridership growth over the next decade. 

VRE is the nation's tenth largest commuter rail system, providing more than 3.8 million passenger trips per year on two rail lines and 31 commuter rail trains per day.