Buses Beat Trains
Monday, August 21, 2006; Page A14
It is not true that "every rider who forsakes a seat on VRE . . . adds to the growing congestion on Washington area roads" ["Va. Commuter Rail Losing Passengers," Metro, Aug. 17].
I stopped riding the Virginia Rail Express a year ago. The problems were not only delays and breakdowns but also the lack of professionalism and effective communication on the part of VRE train and office staffers. They invariably took the attitude that "it isn't our fault" or answered in an unprofessional manner. The fares kept going up, and the quality kept going down. At a certain point, one must start looking at value for money, and VRE is still not providing it.
Yet I do not drive into the District. I now use the Potomac and Rappahannock Transportation Commission's OmniRide. It is in every way superior to VRE. On good days, I also have the choice of catching a slug ride at my bus stop, and on the rare occasions I do have to drive, I pick up slugs. What could be easier?
NANCY E. KING
Woodbridge
