MARC and VRE are talking about working together, extending each service into the other’s state, giving riders more options and improving their commutes.
The plan would mean MARC and VRE trains wouldn’t have to turn around at Union Station, creating a true regional rail system that no longer looks at borders as stopping points.
VRE and MARC leaders are quick to point out that there are still a lot of hurdles that would have to be cleared, including expanding railroad capacity and building a new Potomac River crossing, but transit leaders say those improvements could mean as much as two lanes of rush hour traffic on Interstate 95 or 66 could be shifted to the rails.
Of course the plan would cost more money and require political will, but In northern Virginia this week, some transportation leaders were lobbying to fund this kind of rail network.
