MARC/VRE FORCE MAJEURE: MARC BRUNSWICK/CAMDEN LINES, ALL VRE SERVICE

Got this in MARC Alerts mail:

To All MARC Riders:

As a result of an ongoing labor dispute between CSX Transportation and its labor unions, CSX has notified MDOT MTA that there is the potential for a labor strike starting the morning of Friday, September 16. Since CSX owns and maintains the Camden and Brunswick lines in addition to dispatching MARC trains, any labor strike would result in the immediate suspension of all MARC Camden and Brunswick Line service until a resolution is reached.

MDOT MTA recommends MARC Camden and Brunswick Line passengers plan for alternate travel options in the event of a strike.

Penn Line service will not be impacted on Friday, September 16, and will operate full service as scheduled.

A list of alternative transit options for Camden and Brunswick Line passengers can be found at www.mta.maryland.gov/marc-csx-strike-options. If there is a strike, riders should note that MTA Commuter Buses listed would honor all MARC tickets during this service disruption. WMATA and RideOn buses always honor MARC weekly and monthly passes and Camden Line tickets are always cross-honored on the Penn Line.

As this situation develops, MARC Train will provide service updates for the Camden and Brunswick Lines. Service alerts will be sent by email, listed on our website (www.mta.maryland.gov), and posted on Facebook www.facebook.com/mtamaryland and Twitter @mtamaryland. Service alerts also will push through to the Advisories feature in the Transit app.

Thank you for riding MARC Train.

WTOP reporting on MARC and VRE being impacted, plus Amtrak

VRE reportedly sent out an alert as well but it has not been publicly posted anywhere.

When we talk about MARC, we shouldn't forget about VRE.
CSX owns VRE's Fredericksburg Line and Norfolk Southern the Manassas Line
If they go on strike, their would be no one to dispatch the trains
Some Metro riders are using VRE while the Blue/Yellow line is shut down in Virignia

At least *in the future, VRE will dispatch Fredreicksburg line.

MARC is making parking free at BWI Amtrak station, but only Garage 1, per alert sent earlier today.

Guess this would mean no Metro (due to maintenance) and now no VRE for riders in the Route 1 corridor.

KTHW wrote: ↑Wed Sep 14, 2022 7:40 pm Guess this would mean no Metro (due to maintenance) and now no VRE for riders in the Route 1 corridor.

Maybe. They struck a deal as of two hours ago (see the national thread). Until we know the details, things are on hold.

From MARC Alerts:

CSX Transportation has notified MDOT MTA that the potential strike by CSX labor unions in response to the ongoing labor dispute will not occur on Friday, September 16. MARC Camden, Brunswick and Penn Line trains will operate regularly scheduled service tomorrow.

Due to significant freight train congestion caused by the potential work stoppage, passengers should expect delays and possible train cancellations for several weeks on the Camden Line.

https://www.mta.maryland.gov/marc-csx-strike-options has been updated with the latest news.

Camden Line temporary service adjustment due to severe freight train congestion

In short:

• Trains 841/840/857/858 are canceled until the end of the month.
• Train 843 will stop at Greenbelt
• Train 852 will run
• Commuter buses 305,315,335,345 (Columbia area to DC) will honor all MARC tickets.
• BWI Amtrak train station Garage 1 is free for Camden Line passengers.

This is on top of the cross-honoring of Camden Line tickets on the Penn Line.

Hopefully by now all MARC and VRE Service along freight owned ROWs is back in full service since the freight rail strike was averted

Robert Paniagua wrote: ↑Mon Sep 26, 2022 7:55 pm Hopefully by now all MARC and VRE Service along freight owned ROWs is back in full service since the freight rail strike was averted

Not until the end of the month. Next week will be full service.

Oh I see. Thats good, STrRedWolf