Community Corner

VRE Issues Weather Advisory in Advance of Predicted Snow

Virginia Railway Express provided information and guidelines for railway commuters in winter weather.

Virginia Railway Express (VRE) issued the following weather advisory Tuesday evening in advance of the expected rain and snow.Β  The railway plans to run full service Wednesday, but said any changes to service will be announced Wednesday by 4 a.m.Β 

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By now we expect that all of you are aware of the weather machine enroute for our area. While no one is completely clear on how severely this will impact the VRE service area, we'd like to remind you that regardless of snow, rain or otherwise - you and your safety are our number one priority.

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Therefore, while sit[ting] awake watching radar and making phone calls to determine how we will have to respond tomorrow morning, we'd like to share some safety tips with you before you head for bed.

Tonight -

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  1. Prepare - is your car's gas tank and windshield washer fluid tanks topped off? Have you treated your walks? And for those without garages, have you lifted your windshield wipers at the hinge?
  2. Check your alarm clock's battery backup and have a flashlight handy. Its spring and the tree sap is flowing. While this is good news for Pennsylvanians who like Maple Syrup, we're Virginians and we like a functioning power grid. Add heavy, wet snow in the mix and the likelihood of undesired tree/power-line interaction is a reasonable possibility.

Tomorrow -

  1. Be careful - whatever snow falls tonight will be spring snow. Therefore it will be wet and heavy. Please do not expect to quickly tackle it on your way out tomorrow. Strains and cardiac events have been widely experienced in these cases. Take your time.
  2. Clean your car off completely. Not only will a clean car be more visible, but if any of what gets left on your car turns to ice, it can prove deadly to those behind you when you get out on the highway and it finally breaks free.
  3. Lastly, our crews will be working all night to keep the stations, parking lots and other facilities in the best shape possible. This does not relieve you of the responsibility to look out for your safety and the safety of your fellow passenger. Be very careful when entering parking facilities and especially on stairs and when boarding trains. Always stand back from the edge of the platform.

Having said that, please stay tuned to your Train Talk account, our website www.vre.org and local media, as these are the media we plan to use to make announcements about our service tomorrow.

Stay Safe!

Virginia Railway Express Passenger Safety Team



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