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New VRE modifications may push price tag past $86M
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WASHINGTON (Map, News) - A fleet of 61 new train cars expected to modernize the Virginia Railway Express fleet could cost more than expected thanks to cost-cutting measures and surprising additions. Adding wheelchair restraints and outdoor key access to the first 11 cars could cost an extra $350,000, and VRE directors want to know how much those extras will cost on the remaining 50 cars.
Stretching dollars to make the initial batch of cars affordable, the original buy did not include wheel, chair restraints because the Americans with Disabilities Act does not require them, VRE Chief Dale Zehner said.
But since their launch this year, disabled passengers have been asking why the restraints are absent and the VRE is now forced to spend more to add the devices, at $15,000 a pop.
"These are always more expensive after the fact," Zehner said.
The smart thing would have been to bite the bullet and install the devices initially, said Arlington County Board Member Chris Zimmerman. "If you had asked, I would have said, 'Put 'em in,' " Zimmerman said.
More than half of the price will go to designing the devices at a firm in Japan, which rankled some board members.
New locks on the car doors will also cost about $15,000 per train and a new software system will cost $15,000 total.
With 10 more cars under construction now, board members want to add the restraints during the construction process, while expressing concern the modifications could push the $86 million price tag higher.
The oversight of the rail car purchase allowed board members to express their cost concerns with the purchase of 20 new locomotives at close to $80 million expected in coming years.
Comments from Examiner Readers
12:27 PM MST on Tue., Aug. 28, 2007 re: "VRE ridership up; commuters likely to ask for later trains"
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3:56 PM MST on Sat., Aug. 18, 2007
re: "New VRE modifications may push price tag past $86M"
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3:49 PM MST on Sat., Aug. 18, 2007
re: "New VRE modifications may push price tag past $86M"
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3:40 PM MST on Sat., Aug. 18, 2007
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5:12 AM MST on Wed., Aug. 15, 2007
re: "VRE ridership up; commuters likely to ask for later trains"
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6:06 AM MST on Thu., May. 3, 2007
re: "Fairfax would save $1.2M under VRE restructuring"
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Examiner Reader said:
I think that we need more funding of rail. The big cost to the state is more roads. Rail is a cheaper and greener alternative and a relaxing way to travel.
242 agree | 232 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
Japan? JAPAN? WHAT?, Americans can`t figure out how to keep a wheelchair from rolling? I guess it`s our great public school educational system! VRE IS NUTS! CORRUPTION! SOMEBODY HAS TO BE STEALING! JAPAN???
237 agree | 230 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
$350,000 for seat belts and a door lock? Where are buying this stuff; form the same people who charged U.S. DOD $1,000,000 for TWO LOCK WASHERS? HAVE YOU LOST YOUR MIND?
261 agree | 239 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
"cost-cutting measures"!?! What COST-CUTTING MEASURES? WHO'S RUNNING THE ZOO? ARE YOU GUYS INSANE? Usually when you CUT COSTS things COST "LESS" NOT "MORE"!!!! GOOD GRIEF!
241 agree | 243 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
I used VRE, and I have stopped, by the time it got to the Rippon or Woodbridge station , they was no seats and I refused to stand, when people asked for longer trains the answer was the platform was not long enough, wrong answer!! many times I have had to walk back from the quiet car to exit the train so that no problem. the problem is it grew to fast too quick and they were not ready for the growth. So now I ride the bus I allways get a seat.
260 agree | 266 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
Local Governments need to immediately initiate construction of high-density housing within walking distance of the VRE Stations. More vehicles would be taken off of the road and old commercial structures and outdated housing could be torn down and upgraded. It is time to bring Route One out of the 50's.
271 agree | 385 disagree
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