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7 Percent Fare Increase Approved for VRE Riders
A 7 percent fare increase for Virginia Railway Express riders will start in January, two transportation commissions determined last week.
The increase, proposed as high as 15 percent, was approved Wednesday by the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission and Thursday by the Potomac and Rappahannock Transportation Commission.
The increase is needed to cover rising fuel, labor and maintenance costs, VRE officials said. Although ridership has been at an all-time high -- 16,213 passenger trips daily in September and 16,150 in October -- it is not enough to cover the $1.6 million shortfall in the fiscal 2009 budget, they said.
VRE officials held several public hearings on the increase and, at one point, discussed possible service cuts. After hearing from the public, officials rejected service cuts.
VRE riders could see another fare increase as high as 10 percent in July to account for a projected $1 million budget shortfall in fiscal 2010. VRE's operations board will address that increase date.
Electric Utility Collecting Food for Needy Families
The Northern Virginia Electric Cooperative has kicked off its Operation Turkey project, accepting food donations for needy families in Prince William County.
NOVEC, a not-for-profit corporation that distributes electricity and energy services, will accept donations through Nov. 17 at locations in Manassas, Dumfries and Woodbridge. Suggested donations include pasta, rice, boxed muffin and bread mixes, canned meats, sweet potatoes, applesauce, graham cracker pie crusts and sugar.
Drop-off sites and times are from 8:15 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the NOVEC offices in Manassas and Woodbridge, 10323 Lomond Dr. and 14500 Minnieville Rd., respectively; from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at SERVE, 10056 Dean Dr., Manassas; and from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at ACTS, 3900 Acts Lane, Dumfries.
For information, visit http:/
Organization Needs Literacy Volunteers
Literacy Volunteers of America-Prince William is looking for tutors.
According to the organization, more than 10 percent of adults in the county can't read. Volunteers do not need experience. Training will be from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m. to noon Nov. 22. For information, call 703-670-5702 or visit http:/
Schools to Host Event About Disabled Students
Prince William County schools will host a workshop Nov. 18 for parents of students with disabilities.
