VRE to offer FREE rides during Metro's Yellow/Blue line shutdown in September & October

Virginia Railway Express will be offering free rides system-wide in September and between select stops in October, as Metro shuts down portion of the Yellow and Blue lines for major construction projects.

The VRE’s board approved the measure on Friday, giving fare-free rides across the entire system during the month of September. During October, rides will be free between the six stations most-impacted by the closures: Alexandria, Crystal City, L’Enfant, Union Station, and Backlick Road on the Manassas Line and Franconia-Springfield on the Fredericksburg Line. Parking is free at most VRE stations, and according to a VRE statement, WMATA is considering offering free parking at the Franconia-Springfield parking garage while the station is closed.

https://dcist.com/story/22/07/15/vre-fr ... -shutdown/

I was kinda expecting VRE to advertise the alternative, but free fares to get into DC? The only step they could do next was to negotiate w/CSX and Amtrak to do express shuttle service.

I didn't think there were any free slots yet on long bridge, for it.
Otherwise, I bet it would be popular, if regular enough.