WOODBRIDGE, Va. – Virginia Railway Express (VRE) plans to propose a 5% fare increase in Fiscal Year 2027 to address growing operating costs and a slow return to pre-pandemic ridership levels. If approved, the fare hike would take effect on July 1, 2026, and apply to all ticket types, including single-ride, day passes, 10-trip, and monthly passes.

The VRE Operations Board is expected to review the proposal in September 2025 as part of the draft FY2027 budget. The plan would trigger a public participation process in fall 2025 before any final vote.

Current Fares and Impact

VRE’s current fare schedule—effective since July 1, 2024 (start of FY2025)—includes one-way tickets ranging from $5.00 to $12.80, and monthly passes up to $354.80, depending on travel distance. A 5% increase would raise the highest single-ride fare to approximately $13.45 and the most expensive monthly pass to more than $370.

This would mark VRE’s second fare hike since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. The first was implemented at the start of FY2025, following a multi-year fare freeze.

Justifying the Increase

During the July 2025 board meeting, VRE Chief Financial Officer Mark Schofield told board members that although fare revenue has improved—thanks in part to federal return-to-office mandates—it remains insufficient to cover the agency’s structural budget gap.

“Our insurance costs continue to rise, despite VRE’s excellent safety record,” Schofield said.

The year-to-date operating ratio as of April 2025—defined as the share of costs covered by fare revenue—was only 20%, far short of the typical 50% target.

VRE is also seeing escalating costs in liability insurance, as federal mandates gradually raise the coverage cap required for commuter railroads. Schofield said even modest fare increases can help VRE keep pace with inflation and maintain service reliability.

Ridership Still Below Pre-Pandemic Levels

While ridership is trending upward, it remains well below pre-pandemic averages. In June 2025, average daily ridership was 9,863, a 54% increase from the same month in 2024 but still less than half the pre-COVID benchmark of 20,000 daily trips recorded in February 2020.

The dip from 11,358 in May to 9,863 in June reflects a normal seasonal decline, VRE officials said.

Board Reactions and Rider Concerns

Board members expressed mixed views on the proposal. Several raised concerns about the impact on riders without federal commuter subsidies. Others emphasized the importance of continuing to grow ridership by focusing on reliability, affordability, and access.

City of Manassas Councilwoman Sonia Vasquez Luna encouraged VRE to enhance outreach and marketing to attract new customers and families. Prince William County Supervisor Andrea Bailey urged the board to look at both cost control and affordability options.

Suggestions discussed included:

• Adjusting pricing for multi-ride and monthly passes.
• Exploring income-based fare discounts.
• Promoting VRE’s value compared to toll road commuting costs.

Saturday service, which has been approved but not yet launched, was also discussed as a way to attract new riders and generate weekend interest.

The Operations Board is expected to review the preliminary FY2027 budget—including the proposed fare hike—in September 2025. If the proposal moves forward, the public will be invited to comment through hearings and outreach efforts in the fall. A final decision would come in December, with adoption by the Northern Virginia and Potomac and Rappahannock transportation commissions in January 2026.

Dynamic Foot and Ankle Center marked two major milestones with a ribbon-cutting celebration hosted by the Fredericksburg Regional Chamber of Commerce.

The practice is celebrating 10 years of serving patients across Virginia and five years at its Fredericksburg-area office, located on Lafayette Boulevard in Spotsylvania County. Founder Dr. Danielle VonDerLinden shared that her team has helped more than 16,000 patients over the past decade — totaling nearly 60,000 visits. “We think of our mission — exceeding our patients’ expectations when they choose us to be part of their health care team,” she said during the ceremony.

In a Facebook video, Chamber President and CEO Susan Spears praised the clinic for opening its Fredericksburg office in 2020 — during the height of the pandemic — and continuing to grow. “They are doing fantastic work helping our community with all needs, foot and ankle,” she said.

Virginia Delegate Bobby Orrock also attended the celebration, calling the practice a vital part of the area’s health care network.

Dynamic Foot and Ankle Center has offices in both Fredericksburg and Lorton, serving patients across Northern and Central Virginia. The practice specializes in podiatric care, sports injuries, and mobile wound care for patients of all ages.

FREDERICKSBURG, Va. – State and local officials plan to widen a key stretch of Route 2/17 in Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania County, a move aimed at reducing traffic congestion, improving safety, and enhancing travel options for pedestrians, cyclists, and bus riders.

The proposed $70.6 million project would expand Dixon Street (Route 2) and Tidewater Trail (Route 17) from two to four lanes between Dixon Park and Imboden Street, just south of Shannon Airport. Funded through Virginia’s SMART SCALE program and local contributions, the project combines two separate applications from Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania into one construction contract.

What’s included in the project?

According to Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) spokeswoman Kelly Hannon, the improvements will:

• Add a travel lane in each direction to reduce delays for more than 28,000 drivers who use Dixon Street and 24,000 who travel Tidewater Trail daily.
• Lengthen several turn lanes at the busy Dixon Street and Lansdowne Road intersection to increase vehicle storage and prevent backups into through lanes.
• Add a 10-foot-wide shared-use path along the eastern side of Route 2/17, helping close a critical gap in the East Coast Greenway trail network.
• Build a new crosswalk and pedestrian signals at Shannon Park Drive and Mansfield Street.
• Install a bus shelter at an existing Fredericksburg Regional Transit stop at Dixon Park.

Why now?

“Stop-and-go congestion is a contributing factor to a pattern of rear-end crashes,” said Hannon. “Widening Tidewater Trail to increase vehicle capacity will improve traffic flow and reduce stop-and-go congestion.”

Local leaders, including those at the George Washington Regional Commission, say the project aligns with long-term goals outlined in the Fredericksburg Area Metropolitan Planning Organization’s 2045 Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan. The planned improvements are also expected to support future feeder bus service between Spotsylvania’s Bowman Center and downtown Fredericksburg’s train station.

Construction still years away

While the public is invited to weigh in at a design public hearing scheduled for Wednesday, July 23, 2025, at the Elks Lodge on Tidewater Trail, actual construction won’t begin anytime soon.

Hannon said VDOT expects to advertise the project for construction bids in 2029. Once work begins, crews will need 24 to 30 months to complete the widening. The road will remain open throughout the construction period, with most lane closures scheduled during off-peak travel times.

Access to driveways will be maintained, and VDOT does not expect any long-term detours. However, residents should be prepared for temporary traffic disruptions once construction starts.

Property impacts still under review

Some business and residential relocations are likely. Hannon said a final count won’t be known until the project moves into the right-of-way phase after design plans are finalized.

Comments on the project will be accepted at the public hearing and online through Saturday, August 2. Residents may email feedback to [email protected], referencing “Route 2/17 Widening” in the subject line.

The public hearing will be held in an open house format from 5 to 7 p.m. at Elks Lodge #875, 11309 Tidewater Trail. In the event of inclement weather, the meeting will take place the following Wednesday, July 30, at the same time and location.

SPOTSYLVANIA, Va. – Spotsylvania Regional Medical Center recently marked its 15th anniversary with a celebration honoring the hospital’s long-standing commitment to the community.

In a Facebook post following the event, the hospital highlighted the milestone with special recognition for 30 employees who have been with the hospital since its opening day on June 7, 2010. CEO Ryan DeWeese and Berkeley District Supervisor Kevin Marshall spoke at the event, applauding the hospital’s growth and dedication to patient care.

Since its opening, the hospital has admitted more than 93,000 patients, delivered over 11,000 babies, performed 23,000 surgeries, and handled over 628,000 emergency room visits — impressive figures that reflect the hospital’s impact in the region.

Spotsylvania Regional Medical Center is a 133-bed acute care facility located on a 75-acre campus just south of Fredericksburg, near Interstate 95. As part of HCA Virginia, the state’s largest healthcare network, the hospital offers a broad range of services, including emergency care, cardiac and vascular care, oncology, orthopedics, maternity services with a Level III NICU, behavioral health, and advanced imaging. It also operates the Spotsylvania Regional Cancer Center in collaboration with VCU’s Massey Cancer Center.

The hospital is known for its community-focused approach, with all rooms being private and a leadership team rooted in the local area. It contributes over $1 million annually in local taxes and provides significant charity care to uninsured and low-income patients.

What started as a separate movie theater and bowling alley with a myriad of names is now “Hooky,” an entertainment destination at Spotsylvania Town Centre that offers something for everyone, even if you’re playing hooky from another obligation.

One aging sign in the window reads “We’re Evolving, Paragon Village is now EVO Entertainment,” but above the door, it’s labeled “Hooky Now Open.” It was also called “Muvico,” at one time.

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VDOT Travel Alerts: June 29 – July 5, 2025

As we head into the July 4 holiday weekend, here’s what to know before you hit the road.

Heads up! VDOT will suspend many highway work zones and lift lane closures on interstates and other major roads starting at noon Thursday, July 3, through noon Monday, July 7. But here’s what’s happening before and after the break:

Stafford County

• Route 3 (Kings Highway): Expect single-lane closures through Thursday, 9 a.m.–3 p.m. for fiber work.
• Route 17 Southbound: Right lane closures from Village Parkway to Hartwood Church Rd., Monday–Thursday, 9 a.m.–3 p.m. (waterline and sewer installation).
• Garrisonville Road (Route 610): Overnight lane closures Sunday–Thursday, 10 p.m.–5 a.m., for utility repair.
• New Hope Church Rd. & Hollywood Farm Rd.: Daytime resurfacing, Monday–Thursday, with flaggers alternating one-way traffic.
• Subdivision resurfacing: Work happening in Country Wood Estates and Roseville Plantation, expect alternating one-way traffic.

Spotsylvania County

• I-95 northbound and off-ramps near Exit 126: Nighttime lane closures Sunday–Wednesday for paving. Some ramp closures to Route 1 northbound, use Exit 118 or 130 as detours.
• Route 1: Expect alternating closures, resurfacing, and signal work from Southpoint to Roxbury Mill Rd. and beyond.
• Route 3: Signal and guardrail repairs between Gordon Rd. and Orange Plank Rd., Monday–Thursday.
• Route 17 (Mills Drive): Southbound right lane closed near Massaponax Church Rd.
• Route 610 (Old Plank Rd.) & Route 620 (Harrison Rd.): Daytime closures for widening and water main work.
• Subdivision resurfacing in Rivers Bluff and Sunset Harbor neighborhoods.

City of Fredericksburg

• Fall Hill Avenue: Daytime lane closures Monday–Wednesday, 9 a.m.–3 p.m., between Route 1 and Bridgewater Street. Flaggers will be on site.
• Ongoing projects:
  • Route 1 intersections at Fall Hill and Princess Anne/Hanson – overnight lane closures as needed.
  • Lafayette Blvd. at Twin Lakes/Kensington – shoulder work for new bicycle/pedestrian path.

King George County

• Route 301 Northbound: Left lane closed near Route 218 for guardrail repairs, Monday–Thursday.
• Route 602 (Chapel Green Road): Resurfacing from the Stafford line to Fletchers Chapel Rd., Monday–Thursday. Flaggers alternating traffic.

Project Reminders

• Spotsylvania: Work continues on I-95 Exit 126 area improvements, including turn lane expansions, noise barriers, and ramp widening.
• Route 606 (Mudd Tavern Rd.) widening continues through June.
• Stafford: Route 620 (Harrison Rd.) widening underway with pedestrian upgrades.
• Fredericksburg: Intersection projects and the Lafayette Blvd. connector project will continue through 2025–26.

🛻 Need a better commute?
GWRideConnect can help you carpool, vanpool, or find transit. Visit gwrideconnect.org or call (540) 373-7665.

🗺️ For real-time updates, check 511Virginia.org or use the 511 mobile app.

Drive safely this week!

WOODBRIDGE, Va. –A surge in riders across OmniRide commuter bus routes is triggering overcrowding issues on several key lines, prompting officials at the Potomac and Rappahannock Transportation Commission (PRTC) to weigh how and where they can expand service — especially as the region heads into a busy fall season.

Speaking during the June 5 PRTC Board of Commissioners meeting, Executive Director Dr. Bob Schneider said ridership dipped slightly in May due to seasonal factors like Memorial Day and rainy weather, but overall remains strong.

“Ridership is still fantastic… We are hitting that beginning of the summer seasonal adjustment,” Schneider told the commission.

Among the standout performers is Route 981, which runs from Lake Ridge to the Pentagon and downtown D.C. — ridership on that route has doubled since January. Western express routes that operate from the University Boulevard commuter lot are carrying more than 40,000 monthly riders, while southern routes serving Stafford, Fredericksburg, and Spotsylvania counties have topped 30,000 riders a month.

Still, the agency is confronting the downside of growing demand: overcrowded buses.

Schneider said OmniRide recorded 74 overcrowded trips in May, all of them in the afternoon as commuters returned from D.C. to Northern Virginia.

“The issue isn’t the number of people going in — it’s everyone leaving at the same time,” he said.

The biggest pinch points are on the following routes:

• Route 612 – Warrenton/Gainesville to Pentagon/Navy Yard
• Route 943 – Stafford to D.C.
• Route 953 – Montclair to D.C.
• Route 971 – Dale City to D.C.

Routes 612 and 943 are grant-funded, giving the agency more flexibility to add trips if needed. However, Routes 953 and 971 are locally funded, and Schneider cautioned that OmniRide currently lacks dedicated funding to expand service on those lines.

Commissioners raised questions about how ridership trends align with overall population growth. Staff explained they track commuter lot capacity and development trends — not just raw population figures — to guide service decisions. That includes monitoring ongoing residential growth along I-66 and Route 28, as well as major developments like the planned Manassas Mall redevelopment.

Officials expect to have a clearer picture of ridership patterns by mid-July.

“If the summer dip is minimal, we’re concerned that overcrowding will worsen in the fall,” Schneider added.

FREDERICKSBURG, Va. – Regional transportation planners took a major step toward building a new bridge over the Rappahannock River, aiming to reduce traffic congestion west of Interstate 95. However, Spotsylvania County officials voiced significant reservations.

On June 16, the Fredericksburg Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (FAMPO) Policy Committee approved Resolution 2550, selecting Option C—a route connecting Celebrate Virginia Parkway in Stafford County with Gordon W. Shelton Boulevard in Fredericksburg—as the preferred corridor. The approval allows consultants to complete cost estimates and finalize documents ahead of a federally required environmental review (NEPA).

Fredericksburg officials supported Option C with a 6-1 vote, and Stafford County unanimously endorsed it. Spotsylvania County declined to endorse a specific route, raising concerns about potential impacts on local roads such as Fall Hill Avenue, Bragg Road, and River Road.

“Our board didn’t take a position because the impacts to Spotsylvania haven’t been clearly outlined,” said Supervisor Chris Yakabouski. “We felt left out of the process, even though our road network is likely to bear the weight of new cut-through traffic.”

Residents and environmental groups also expressed concerns. David Caprara, a Fredericksburg resident, noted the need for a thorough environmental assessment, emphasizing that Option C could threaten a pristine area of the Rappahannock watershed.

Representatives from Friends of the Rappahannock opposed western bypass routes but indicated openness to routes closer to the city center, provided they remain involved in discussions.

FAMPO Administrator Ian Ollis clarified that selecting Option C does not commit the region to a specific alignment. The upcoming NEPA review will consider the preferred corridor, a no-build option, and at least one alternative route.

“You’re not locking yourself into anything tonight,” Ollis stated. “The NEPA study will reassess the route, compare it to alternatives, and include full public participation.”

Committee members recommended further studies to assess broader regional impacts, including how the project would affect Spotsylvania and Stafford counties, potentially exploring additional connections.

“This is just one piece of the puzzle,” said Stafford Supervisor Crystal Vanuch. “We need to start thinking now about what happens on both ends of that bridge—before the traffic gets here.”

With the resolution approved, consultants will finalize their studies and return to FAMPO for final approval in August. Spotsylvania’s “no” vote underscored the county’s insistence on a regional approach.

“We need to make sure this is a regional solution, not just a Stafford and Fredericksburg project,” Yakabouski added. “We’re willing to be part of the conversation, but we need to see more clarity and commitment.”

FAMPO leaders promised continued engagement with local governments, environmentalists, and residents throughout the federal review process.

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SPOTSYLVANIA, Va. – A chaotic Friday afternoon in Spotsylvania County saw both a small plane crash and a road rage shooting just minutes apart, prompting two separate investigations by Virginia State Police.

At around 2:15 p.m. on June 20, a road rage incident on Interstate 95 southbound escalated when shots were fired near the 122-mile marker. Police say the confrontation involved a black Tesla and a black pickup truck, possibly a Toyota Tacoma. The Tesla was struck multiple times by gunfire, but no one was injured. Authorities are asking anyone with information to call Virginia State Police Division II Dispatch at 804-750-8778.

Just 20 minutes later, at about 2:34 p.m., a small single-propeller aircraft crashed in a field along Spotswood Furnace Road. The plane had taken off from Shannon Airport but reportedly suffered engine trouble shortly after takeoff. Both occupants of the plane sustained only minor injuries. The FAA has been notified, and the crash remains under investigation.

FREDERICKSBURG, Va. – Virginia State Senator Tara Durant (R) announced her campaign for Congress on June 18, 2025, setting up a high-stakes showdown with incumbent Rep. Eugene Vindman (D) in Virginia’s 7th Congressional District.

“As a mom, Marine wife, and conservative fighter, I’ve spent my life standing up for faith, family, and freedom,” Durant said in her announcement. “As a State Senator, I partnered with Governor Glenn Youngkin to cut taxes, back the blue, and fight back against the far-left agenda. Now I’m running for Congress to take that same fight to Washington and work with President Trump to secure our border, fully fund our police, end the reckless spending, and restore common-sense leadership.”

Durant, who currently represents Virginia’s 27th Senate District—including Fredericksburg, Stafford County, and Spotsylvania County—won her seat in 2023 with 48.28% of the vote, defeating Democrat Joel Griffin and Independent Monica Gary. She did not represent Prince William County, which is not part of her state Senate district but is the largest locality in the 7th Congressional District.

In contrast, Prince William County played a decisive role in Vindman’s 2024 congressional victory. Vindman carried the county with 63.63% of the vote, defeating Republican Derrick Anderson by more than 36,000 votes there. While Anderson won Spotsylvania County (53.52%) and came within a percentage point of Vindman in Stafford County, it wasn’t enough to overcome Vindman’s large margin in Prince William. Vindman ultimately won the district with 50.20% of the vote, compared to Anderson’s 47.38%.

Durant’s base of support in Stafford and Spotsylvania—two of the three largest jurisdictions in the district—helped her win her state Senate seat in 2023. In that race, she carried both counties while losing in the city of Fredericksburg. Now, she’ll need to expand her support into Prince William County, which leans heavily Democratic and helped power Vindman’s win.

Vindman, a retired Army colonel and ethics attorney who rose to prominence during the Trump impeachment inquiry, took office in January 2025. Since then, he’s opened a district office in Fredericksburg, faced scrutiny over campaign spending tied to a book tour involving his twin brother, and made headlines for an apology after posing with a historical Virginia flag linked to the Confederacy.

The 2026 race for Virginia’s 7th District is shaping up to be one of the most competitive in the country, drawing national attention and likely millions in campaign spending.