ALEXANDRIA, Va. -- When will enough be enough for Virginia Railway Express riders?
Fares are scheduled to increase by 7 percent on Jan. 5, but officials are proposing another 6 percent hike in the summer.
VRE officials are relying on commuters to offset cuts in financial subsidies from the state and the local governments that support the service.
The proposed increase is part of next year's proposed $79 million budget. It includes cuts to marketing costs and cost-of-living raises.
Chief Executive Officer Dale Zehner said fare revenue will be critical to balancing the budget. He's concerned that riders who began using the train when gas prices soared this year might switch back to driving now that gas prices have fallen.
