by davinp
According to the May's Board meeting minutes, someone their says the article in the local newspaper that says VRE/Keolis will not be operate come June 28 is wrong and he doesn't know where the reporter got his information.
Here is an email from VRE that I just received insuring us they will be ready to go:
In just about one month, a significant event in VRE history will occur. Keolis Rail Services Virginia will assume operations of VRE trains. An update on the progress that has occurred over the last several months is provided below. We want to reassure you that VRE and Keolis are working hard to ensure that your commute on June 28 and beyond will be as safe, efficient and comfortable as you have come to expect from VRE
Last May, VRE issued a Request for Proposals for the Operations and Maintenance of VRE trains. This was done in order to be compliant with Federal and State regulations requiring us to competitively bid all of our contracts. In November 2009, our two parent commissions approved VRE’s recommendation to award the contract to Keolis. A Notice to Proceed was issued on December 21, 2009. Since that time, Keolis has been in a mobilization phase in order to provide service on June 28, 2010.
What is required in this mobilization phase? There are really three main components. The most highly visible to you, our riders, is the hiring of the train and engine (T&E) crews that operate the trains. At the request of our Operations Board, Keolis made a concerted effort to hire the current VRE T&E crews. All but one of them opted to stay with Amtrak. While we respect their decision to stay with Amtrak, that has provided an opportunity for Keolis to hire qualified railroad personnel who can’t wait to join you on your daily commute.
So will you see new faces on board the train? Yes, absolutely! These crews come from a variety of backgrounds, both passenger and freight. Many of them have experience on the VRE territory, while others are coming from other commuter rail agencies that are decreasing their service and furloughing employees. All of them are experienced railroad personnel who are truly looking forward to serving VRE and its riders.
The other two components of the mobilization are training and deliverables, both regulatory to the Federal Railroad Administration and contractual to VRE. With the exception of one item on noise monitoring to the FRA, Keolis has submitted every deliverable to both agencies. Training on the VRE equipment and territory is ongoing. This training is being done on special trains that operate during the day, outside of the VRE rush hour, and on weekends. While your first experience with the Keolis crews will be on June 28, it won’t be the first time for the Keolis T&E crews to operate our trains, the wheelchair lifts, and P.A. systems.
Our top concern is continuing to provide you with safe, reliable service, and we believe that Keolis is on the right track, pun intended!
Here is an email from VRE that I just received insuring us they will be ready to go:
In just about one month, a significant event in VRE history will occur. Keolis Rail Services Virginia will assume operations of VRE trains. An update on the progress that has occurred over the last several months is provided below. We want to reassure you that VRE and Keolis are working hard to ensure that your commute on June 28 and beyond will be as safe, efficient and comfortable as you have come to expect from VRE
Last May, VRE issued a Request for Proposals for the Operations and Maintenance of VRE trains. This was done in order to be compliant with Federal and State regulations requiring us to competitively bid all of our contracts. In November 2009, our two parent commissions approved VRE’s recommendation to award the contract to Keolis. A Notice to Proceed was issued on December 21, 2009. Since that time, Keolis has been in a mobilization phase in order to provide service on June 28, 2010.
What is required in this mobilization phase? There are really three main components. The most highly visible to you, our riders, is the hiring of the train and engine (T&E) crews that operate the trains. At the request of our Operations Board, Keolis made a concerted effort to hire the current VRE T&E crews. All but one of them opted to stay with Amtrak. While we respect their decision to stay with Amtrak, that has provided an opportunity for Keolis to hire qualified railroad personnel who can’t wait to join you on your daily commute.
So will you see new faces on board the train? Yes, absolutely! These crews come from a variety of backgrounds, both passenger and freight. Many of them have experience on the VRE territory, while others are coming from other commuter rail agencies that are decreasing their service and furloughing employees. All of them are experienced railroad personnel who are truly looking forward to serving VRE and its riders.
The other two components of the mobilization are training and deliverables, both regulatory to the Federal Railroad Administration and contractual to VRE. With the exception of one item on noise monitoring to the FRA, Keolis has submitted every deliverable to both agencies. Training on the VRE equipment and territory is ongoing. This training is being done on special trains that operate during the day, outside of the VRE rush hour, and on weekends. While your first experience with the Keolis crews will be on June 28, it won’t be the first time for the Keolis T&E crews to operate our trains, the wheelchair lifts, and P.A. systems.
Our top concern is continuing to provide you with safe, reliable service, and we believe that Keolis is on the right track, pun intended!
