VRE, Amtrak disputing transfer of workers for train operations

A company slated to take over the operations of Virginia Railway Express has only hired one conductor or engineer away from Amtrak, according to the commuter train agency, prompting concerns among riders that the new operator will not be ready to run the trains next month.

French-owned Keolis beat out Amtrak, the current operator, for a contract to run the commuter train service that shuttles Northern Virginia residents into downtown D.C. for jobs each weekday. The switchover is slated for June 28.