French company to operate VRE

A French company will have its first shot at operating rail service in the U.S. following a decision Thursday by transit officials.

Keolis Rail Services of America, a subsidiary of a French company, was awarded a five-year, $85-million operations contract for operating and maintaining Virginia Railway Express locomotives and rail cars.

The agreement will take effect July 1 and has an option for two five-year renewals.

VRE expects to save as much as $1.2 million with the new contract, which VRE's parent agency, the Potomac and Rappahannock Transportation Commission, approved.

VRE last month chose not to renew their operations contract with Amtrak, which the national rail provider held for 17 years. VRE then recommended PRTC to approve the Keolis contract.

Amtrak, however, is not pleased to see the contract approved.

Last week, Amtrak said they were challenging VRE's decision and cited Keolis' lack of experience as a rail provider in the U.S., which they say could pose safety and security concerns.

The agency also filed a Freedom of Information Act request asking for copies of the proposal Keolis made to VRE, as well as the scorecards the commuter rail agency used during the decision process. Amtrak said VRE may have used improper scoring when they decided to choose Keolis as the operator, especially when it came to passenger safety.

"Amtrak remains focused on larger concerns involving the safety and security of all passengers and employees who will access Washington Union Station on trains operated by Keolis, a foreign-owned railroad with no operating experience or safety record in the United States," stated Amtrak spokesman Steve Kulm in an e-mail. "The National Capital Region is a unique area and the safety and security plans of potential rail operators deserve special review and scrutiny to ensure they are in compliance with all federal regulations."

VRE spokesman Mark Roeber said Amtrak's claims are unfounded, as VRE hopes to retain at least 70 percent of the current Amtrak employees contracted to work at VRE.

If they choose to stay with VRE, employees will not lose benefits, seniority or time off, said Roeber.

Additionally, VRE's Chief Executive Officer Dale Zehner responded to Amtrak's protest letter, stating Amtrak had 10 days to file a protest following VRE's Oct. 16 decision to award Keolis the contract.

VRE did not receive the letter, dated Oct. 29, until Oct. 30, stated Zehner.

Zehner, in his letter, stated the materials Amtrak requested wouldn't be made available until after the PRTC vote Nov. 5.

"On October 16 … I personally offered you a debriefing, which is a standard practice in all VRE procurements. To date, Amtrak has not requested to obtain this information," stated Zehner.

Staff writer Uriah A. Kiser can be reached at 703-878-8065.