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Reduced Fare Qualifications
You cannot purchase reduced fare tickets at station platform Ticket Machines.
Senior Citizen
Senior Citizens are defined by this policy as persons who are age 65 or older. Rider's will need a VRE issued Reduced Fare ID to purchase discounted tickets.
Persons with Disabilities
Anyone who is in possession of a current VRE Reduced Fare ID or valid Medicare Card.
Youth
Beginning July 1st. 2024, youth 18 years old and younger can ride VRE for free.
- Children 10 and under must be accompanied by an adult during all travel, and no ID is required.
- Youth 11-18 who are accompanied by an adult do not need an ID.
- Unaccompanied Youth aged 11-18 may present a school ID or state issued ID or Driver's License as valid identification for eligibility
- Unaccompanied Youth aged 11-18 who have no other acceptable form of ID may apply for a VRE issued ID
Submit your application in one of the following ways:
Email:
Mail:
Virginia Railway Express
Attn: Reduced Fare
1500 King Street, Suite 202
Alexandria, VA 22314
In Person:
Drop off your application at VRE Headquarters.
Processing Time
Applications are processed within 10 business days from the day all required documents are received. Disability reduced Fare ID applications may take long. See FAQ below for details.
Important Reminder
Once you have obtained your VRE Reduced Fare ID or Medicare card, carry it with you when you board the train. Conductors have the right to examine the ID used to purchase discounted tickets.
Disability Reduced Fare Additional Information.
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The application for the VRE Reduced Fare ID card needs to be filled out by both the rider and the rider's physician who can best give information about the nature of the disability.
PLEASE NOTE: ALL REQUESTS FOR A REDUCED FARE ID (TO INCLUDE NEW APPLICATIONS AND RENEWALS) MUST NOW GO BEFORE A REVIEW PANEL FOR CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL. ACCORDINGLY, PROCESSING TIME FOR ALL REQUESTS IS AN ESTIMATED TWO TO THREE WEEKS FROM THE DATE ALL NECESSARY DOCUMENTATION IS PROVIDED AND IN THE ORDER THAT THEY ARE RECEIVED. SUBMISSIONS FOR REDUCED FARE ID’S HAS INCREASED CONSIDERABLY IN THE LAST FEW MONTHS WHICH, UNFORTUNATELY, IS DELAYING THE PROCESS FURTHER. WE APPRECIATE YOUR PATIENCE AND UNDERSTANDING.
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Passengers who require assistance from their origination station to their destination station may have a certified assistant ride with them for free. A disabled attendant pass is available for those persons needing an attendant to help them navigate the VRE system. This pass is valid for any single attendant assisting a rider holding a valid VRE ticket.
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To apply for a disabled attendant pass, the following must be submitted to VRE:
A request letter from the disabled rider that includes their name, address, daytime telephone number and their current boarding and alighting stations.
A letter from the disabled person's physician on his or her official letterhead explaining the nature of the disability and why special assistance is needed for commuting on VRE trains.
The letter must be mailed to Virginia Railway Express at the address below:1500 King Street, Suite 202
Alexandria, VA 22314
Attn: Disabled Attendant PassUpon receipt and verification, VRE will create a special fare exempt flash pass for an attendant. This process usually takes 10 working days from receipt.
An attendant fare exempt pass may be used only when the attendant is riding with the disabled person using a valid ticket. The attendant cannot have a disabling injury that negates the benefit of their being an attendant. The pass will be valid through the calendar year and can only be renewed at the request of the disabled patron. All passes expire on December 31 of each year. To renew a pass for the next year a new letter and request must be received by VRE no later than November 15 to avoid delays in processing.
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After you have purchased your discounted ticket and arrived at the station you are planning to depart from, make sure that you validate your ticket in the validating machine on the platform. If you require the use of the on-board wheel chair lift, board at the far North end of the platform where you see the accessibility logo as the rail car equipped with the chair lift will stop there. The conductors will operate the chair lift. VRE also has visual public address systems at every station. If you need any further assistance, our conductors are always very helpful and available. Just make them aware of your need.