VRE could end youth fare discount today

Despite an overwhelming majority who oppose the plan, the Virginia Railway Express operations board is expected to vote Friday on a measure that would effectively end a policy of discounting youth fares.

The policy, which gives riders aged 11 to 21 a 50-percent discount on their rail fare, could be eliminated today after claims of fraud and abuse. The agency previously noted a rise in adults purchasing reduced youth fares and said elimination of the policy could bring $100,000 in annual fare revenue.

Along with the change, the agency would raise the maximum age of children who ride free with a paying adult from 6 to 10 years old.

A full, one-way fare on VRE's Fredericksburg line costs $10.30. On the Manassas line, a full, one-way fare costs $8.45.

VRE earlier this month held public hearings on the matter and 70 percent of those who responded in person or via letters were opposed to removing the discount, according to documents released by the transit agency.

"...those opposed represented students who travel on VRE to attend private schools in Northern Virginia or Washington, D.C." the VRE documents stated. "Of those in favor, most felt everyone utilizing a seat should pay the full fare."

By VRE's count, 80 youths on average use the system daily, and the agency stated there are no regulations governing required discounts that must be offered to youths.

But not all are onboard with the plan to take away youth discounts.

"As a long time VRE rider and supporter, I fully sympathize with VRE's need to prevent fraud and keep fares as low as possible. However, cancelling youth fares is unfair, regressive, counter productive, ineffective and premature, said Daniel B. Peacock, with the Virginia Association of Rail-way Patrons.

Peacock says the plan could turn potential riders away from using the system once they graduate and begin commuting to work. Officials should also take a closer look at what led to the abuse of the youth fare sys-tem in an effort to prevent it, he added.

Peacock said when he purchased discounted youth tickets for his children 10 years ago, he was forced to present a birth certificate before the agency issued the passes. That policy, he said, has become increasingly less stringent.

Similar to a teen bus pass distributed last summer by a local bus service in Prince William County, Peacock suggested VRE issue special youth fare cards in place of the current system.

The VRE operations board meets at 9:30 a.m. at the offices of the Potomac and Rappahannock Transporta-tion Commission in Woodbridge. The meeting is open to the public.

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