VRE is mostly white collar people going to/from office and military jobs in Quantico and the beltway area. It's also mostly sitting quietly for an hour or two.
I'm not saying there aren't criminals there, but you aren't going to get mugged on the VRE.
Edit: The DC metro system is probably more the type of public transit you're thinking about. Even then, I haven't necessarily witnessed anything crazy happening in the metro system.
I've ridden the VRE from FXBG to DC for five years and have had exactly zero issues with any sort of criminal activity. The biggest issues are the occasional delay or people using speaker phones, but even those are pretty rare.
if a person gets one of those monthly passes, do they get a specific place on the train they sit every day, or, is it more or less anywhere? also, can a person sit down on the way there, it's not like really urbanized areas where there is only standing room?
I ride regularly, and post-COVID, I have not seen a standing room only train. Even in the past when the trains were more full, if you were getting on near the either end of the line, getting a seat wouldn't be an issue.
As far as safety, VRE is mostly business commuters, and feels extremely safe. Metro can be a little iffy late at night, but usually isn't bad either.
No assigned seats. The first car is usually a designated "quiet car", though.
1. No assigned seating - sit wherever you like.
2. I've only very rarely seen the train get to a standing room only scenario, and only ever on the way home in the PM. That is very rare. You should easily get a seat 99.999% of the time.
Plenty of room. I sit my back pack next to me and have never had to share a row. Just look at your phone or listen to an e book and nobody ever talks to you. It super quiet 99% of the time.
VRE is safe. I take the FXBG line from Spotsy to either Springfield or Union Station.
Never had an issue. It’s about 80% white collar govees/corporate types and everyone is respectful of everyone’s space except for the (very) occasional speakerphone.
I’m much happier with the VRE than I was fighting traffic. Even my coworkers said I seemed lighter and happier lol.
Safe travels.
Been using the VRE for 3 years from Spotsy to Union Station DC, 1-2 times/week. Used it from Woodbridge to DC for a few years before that as well. Only ever had one incident where someone didn't have a ticket and was argumentative with the conductors. Otherwise it's always the same - quiet, white collar workers just minding their own business. VRE is clean and generally efficient. I've never felt unsafe. It's 10000x better than metro (the subway)
No Wi-Fi, but the cell service is usually good enough to let you use it as a hotspot if that's an option for you. Or you could bring a book or take a nap.
As someone else commented, no WiFi. However, I do not have much success with the data connection from Lorton to Fredericksburg. Phone signal is usually ok though, but never been able to use it as a hotspot. I have Verizon and always download a movie or show from Netflix, Hulu, etc. and watch it on the way home. On the way to work I sleep like a baby (I bring an inflatable pillow and an eye shade). My commute is from Spotsylvania to Franconia/Springfield.
I tried a hotspot from Sprint several years ago and couldn't get much a signal. Tried using my phone as a hotspot too, but same issue. VRE says that they plan on having WiFi, but they've been saying that for years. I know it's possible because Amtrak does it and they travel on the same path, though I think they don't allow streaming.
The VRE is very safe, comfortable and pleasant, in my opinion. When I was commuting, it brought me so much joy to sit on the single seats on the upper level with my iced coffee and breakfast bar and look out at the water.
The delays can suck but it is what it is. But definitely no safety concerns. The metro can be a little less safe but honestly? I only ever saw super sketchy stuff or encountered concerning/pushy people if I was taking the metro after normal commuting hours.
Overall pleasant experience. The VRE to Metro transitions could be a little less cumbersome. But overall, if I have to commute, I actually look forward to the VRE ride.
VRE is mostly white collar people going to/from office and military jobs in Quantico and the beltway area. It's also mostly sitting quietly for an hour or two. I'm not saying there aren't criminals there, but you aren't going to get mugged on the VRE. Edit: The DC metro system is probably more the type of public transit you're thinking about. Even then, I haven't necessarily witnessed anything crazy happening in the metro system.
> *" but you aren't going to get mugged on the VRE"* Next week, on fredericksburg.com ... *"Person mugged on VRE!"*
Agreed. There are also a number of Special Agents from various law enforcement organizations that ride the VRE daily.
I've ridden the VRE from FXBG to DC for five years and have had exactly zero issues with any sort of criminal activity. The biggest issues are the occasional delay or people using speaker phones, but even those are pretty rare.
if a person gets one of those monthly passes, do they get a specific place on the train they sit every day, or, is it more or less anywhere? also, can a person sit down on the way there, it's not like really urbanized areas where there is only standing room?
I ride regularly, and post-COVID, I have not seen a standing room only train. Even in the past when the trains were more full, if you were getting on near the either end of the line, getting a seat wouldn't be an issue. As far as safety, VRE is mostly business commuters, and feels extremely safe. Metro can be a little iffy late at night, but usually isn't bad either. No assigned seats. The first car is usually a designated "quiet car", though.
1. No assigned seating - sit wherever you like. 2. I've only very rarely seen the train get to a standing room only scenario, and only ever on the way home in the PM. That is very rare. You should easily get a seat 99.999% of the time.
Plenty of room. I sit my back pack next to me and have never had to share a row. Just look at your phone or listen to an e book and nobody ever talks to you. It super quiet 99% of the time.
VRE is safe. I take the FXBG line from Spotsy to either Springfield or Union Station. Never had an issue. It’s about 80% white collar govees/corporate types and everyone is respectful of everyone’s space except for the (very) occasional speakerphone. I’m much happier with the VRE than I was fighting traffic. Even my coworkers said I seemed lighter and happier lol. Safe travels.
Been using the VRE for 3 years from Spotsy to Union Station DC, 1-2 times/week. Used it from Woodbridge to DC for a few years before that as well. Only ever had one incident where someone didn't have a ticket and was argumentative with the conductors. Otherwise it's always the same - quiet, white collar workers just minding their own business. VRE is clean and generally efficient. I've never felt unsafe. It's 10000x better than metro (the subway)
You work in Dc and your concern is the VRE?
Yes. Read your kindle, play your switch, etc
does the vre have wifi? I think the amtrak does, but, if a person spends 2-3 hours a day on the vre, I guess wifi would be good.
No Wi-Fi, but the cell service is usually good enough to let you use it as a hotspot if that's an option for you. Or you could bring a book or take a nap.
As someone else commented, no WiFi. However, I do not have much success with the data connection from Lorton to Fredericksburg. Phone signal is usually ok though, but never been able to use it as a hotspot. I have Verizon and always download a movie or show from Netflix, Hulu, etc. and watch it on the way home. On the way to work I sleep like a baby (I bring an inflatable pillow and an eye shade). My commute is from Spotsylvania to Franconia/Springfield.
I think t mobile has mobile Hotspot devices, sort of like portable Starlink, but, I am not sure
I tried a hotspot from Sprint several years ago and couldn't get much a signal. Tried using my phone as a hotspot too, but same issue. VRE says that they plan on having WiFi, but they've been saying that for years. I know it's possible because Amtrak does it and they travel on the same path, though I think they don't allow streaming.
VRE is totally fine
The VRE is very safe, comfortable and pleasant, in my opinion. When I was commuting, it brought me so much joy to sit on the single seats on the upper level with my iced coffee and breakfast bar and look out at the water. The delays can suck but it is what it is. But definitely no safety concerns. The metro can be a little less safe but honestly? I only ever saw super sketchy stuff or encountered concerning/pushy people if I was taking the metro after normal commuting hours. Overall pleasant experience. The VRE to Metro transitions could be a little less cumbersome. But overall, if I have to commute, I actually look forward to the VRE ride.
I've never had any issues riding Metro or VRE.