VIRGINIA RAILWAY EXPRESS - Is it any good? First Experience

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[@DanHominem]

I should have went into more details about my opinions.
The gallery cars feel really claustrophobic, I think removing the luggage rack from the middle would help a lot. The seats were comfortable enough, but nothing outstanding.
Also, VRE's app is atrocious. I had made my account the night before, but didn't immediatly verify my account, which would let me buy tickets, and I had to dig through the VRE website via Google to get the help I needed. Then it kept declining my card, and I had to buy it with a different card. There's also no option for Google Pay. Honestly and F Tier app.
Service was friendly enough, but I'm not exactly expecting red carpet treatment on a commuter train.
I can tell VRE is trying to improve service, and most of their limitations are beyond their control.

[@TheGAMWolferz]

That app is migraine inducing. I tried using the app to take the Manassas train back to Alexandria. And fell into the same email verification issues. Rather than fight it, I just bought the Tickets at the Kiosk.

[@DanHominem]

@@TheGAMWolferz Further issues were the fact that I didn't know VRE had its own lobby, so i couldnt find a ticket machine until I went to board :/

[@3connory]

At 8:14, the train you are passing is not in service. Because VRE runs just about all their trains in peak direction, they have to find places to park them over the day in DC. That siding just east of L'Enfant station is one of the places they use to do that, along with a yard just north of Union Station. Also, while much of the track VRE runs on is double tracked, because many of the stations (Crystal City, L'Enfant, all of the Manassas Line stations, and at least some of the Fredericksburg Line stations) are single platform, operations in the peak direction are basically single-tracked and the Manassas line off-peak trains are "express" in name only, they spend just as much time sitting on sidings waiting for peak-direction trains to pass as they would if they stopped at every station. But at least we have a couple off-peak trains, and weekend service is coming soon!

[@matthewconstantine5015]

I've never taken VRE. Maybe when (if) it starts adding trains in both directions and runs more service generally. I used to bus into Alexandria a lot, but it was easier/cheaper to grab a Metro into the city, so VRE just didn't happen.

[@susanayers3173]

The VRE is heavily subsidized so it doesn’t make sense to run trains in the opposite direction then most commuters are heading. Ride an Amtrak if the VRE isn’t heading in the direction you need.

[@JaxBrubaker-po8ld]

VRE is the best train from DC to Virginia! I’ve never ridden it before in my life. But My Father has! He’s ridden on it.

[@CaseysTrains]

The seats look the same as the ones on SEPTA Regional Rail.

[@Shortline819]

VRE feels like a transit service that hasn't changed in like two decades, which is hasn't all that much. I do like their future plans to become more of a regional rail style system but 2050!?!? C'mon show some actual ambition and cut that time in half!!!

[@susanayers3173]

As someone that has been riding for over two decades, I can attest that the trains have improved.

[@grahamcracker659]

this is scare my cat sad