Local
VRE tickets selling fast
By: Kytja Weir
Examiner Staff Writer
January 13, 2009
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| The Virginia Railway Express reports that tickets to get into D.C. are selling quickly, as driving is not an option and Amtrak is already sold out of tickets. (Examiner File) |
People crowded into the Virginia Railway Express offices in Alexandria on Monday, VRE spokesman Mark Roeber said, as many as 25 people at a time. Buyers had gotten word they had received scarce inauguration tickets but realized they needed a way into the city.
Driving isn’t an option as the bridges leading from Virginia toward the capital will be closed to personal cars Jan. 20. Amtrak has already sold out its tickets from the commonwealth to the capital. Walking or biking wouldn’t work for many who live too far away.
Thus, the VRE tickets are selling briskly.
“Now it's truly a steady stream,” Roeber said.
The commuter rail service offered 8,750 special round-trip tickets on its lines, which start in Manassas and Fredericksburg. By Monday afternoon, Roeber said, the agency had about 2,400 left. Some trains are already full and officials expect to sell out within days.
Those in Maryland have more options since their routes into the city will remain open.
Amtrak still has some tickets available along the Northeast Corridor into D.C. because the passenger railroad added more trains and cars in late December to accommodate all the interest on its Jan. 20 service along the corridor, which runs from Boston to Washington.
But MARC, the commuter train service in Maryland, has already sold out all 30,000 special round-trip tickets for Jan. 20. Those who still need a way in can take special commuter buses that will shuttle riders to Metrorail stops.
Metrobus and rail will run special service for the inauguration, but officials anticipate packed rides.
To order the remaining VRE tickets, buyers can purchase them in person at VRE’s headquarters in Alexandria or online at vre.org. Those who live far away will need to pay $16 extra for express mailing, on top of $25 tickets, to get them in time, Roeber said.
