Commuter Trains and Busses

Submitted by terri_stocke on Mon, 11/23/2009 - 01:51

COMMUTER TRAINS AND BUSES operate on weekdays during morning (in one direction) and evening (in reverse direction) hours, there is no service in either direction from (approximately) 10:00 a.m. till 2:00 p.m. Parking lots at most stations are free for use all day, but need to be cleared by the end of the day in most cases; if you leave your car overnight – it is “at your own risk.” City of Manassas just came out with a requirement to display a free commuter parking permit that makes it impossible to obtain unless you live or work in the area. So check the rules before you travel.

 
Weekday service only; service between Virginia and D.C.; two lines - one originates from west (Manassas), and another from south (Fredericksburg). VRE trains share tracks and stations with Amtrak, and can be used as a local addition to Amtrak service. 
Metro stations served: Franconia Springfield, Alexandria, Union Station.
Fares: based on “to-from” zone table.
Tickets: you have to have ticket before boarding; can be purchased with credit/debit card from the vending machines at the station (very easy touch-screen navigation), or over internet. Make sure to “validate” the ticket before boarding.
Schedules: see website.
 
Help
Ask locals, station workers.


 
Commuter bus service from Virginia (eastern Prince William County and the Manassas area) to downtown Washington, the Pentagon, Crystal City, Rosslyn/Ballston, Capitol Hill and Washington Navy Yard. Most of its OmniRide bus routes use 14th Street Bridge to get from Virginia into D.C. and continue on 14th Street – they stop just 2 blocks away from the Washington Monument (at the intersections of Constitution or Independence Ave. and 14th Street) – which makes them great routes to consider. On the way back, buses pick up passengers at marked stops on the opposite side of the street. This service is heavily used by locals – be prepared to have to stand on the bus if all seats are taken. Also, number of buses on each day are limited according to the posted schedules.
 
Metro stations served: Blue Line – Franconia Springfield; Blue and Yellow - Pentagon, Crystal City; Orange Line - Vienna, West Falls Church, Ballston; and Rosslyn (both Orange and Blue line). 
Fares: One Way cash fare between Northern Virginia and Washington - $6.50. If you use SmartTrip card, you will be charged a discounted rate of $4.75. If you pay in cash, make sure to have exact change for the cost of the ride; if you pay more you will not get a change from the bus driver.
Schedules: refer to website for all possible routes and times. I can help you choose a route if you need help. We might be considering taking this option of travel if we travel on Monday morning.
 
PRTC also provides Metro Direct weekday connecting services – from Prince William county to the Franconia-Springfield and from Manassas area to West Falls Church Metro stations, they pick you up in Virginia from about 4-5 a.m. till 11:30 p.m. and take you to those two metro stations; and from about 12:00 p.m. till 9-10 p.m. they take you from those two metro stations back to Virginia. 
 
Service Routes: there are AM and PM route maps – make sure you review both and carry them with you. Do not miss the last bus in the evening – you will have to find an alternative transportation back to your car (i.e., cab ride). Maps show the bus route, street names and nearby landmarks that can give you an idea where you are. When you look at the maps, there are “numbered/timed” stops (large black circles) and not-numbered (black squares along the route). The difference is – the bus will stop, drop off and pick up passengers at all timed/numbered stops. It will pick up passengers only at timed stops (that’s why there is time assigned to them – so that people know when the bus will come to that bus stop). Buses leave on time, so be prepared to arrive to the station early. Do not wait for the bus at not-numbered stop. The un-timed stops will be served for drop off only. You have to push the red “request to stop” button (above each seat) in advance of bus arrival to your stop to let the driver know you want to get off. Don’t push it too early – just after the previous stop and before the one you need. When you push the button, you will hear a chime and “stop requested” sign will light up above the driver’s seat. If no one pushed the “request to stop”, the bus continues to next numbered stop. Once the bus completes its route in one direction, it goes back to the bus garage empty, it cannot have any passengers on board by the end of the route. 
 
Help
Ask locals, driver of any bus, or contact me.
 
 
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Maryland has similar transportation systems – MTA commuter bus services and MARC commuter trains. I would refer you to their website, or we can hope that some Maryland folks on the forum can chime in. 
 
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