Discounted Tickets for Persons with Disabilities

Questions, Answers and Policies

Access: Trains, stations, and support systems operated by the Virginia Railway Express are designed to be accessible to persons with disabilities.

Who Qualifies?

Anyone who is in possession of a valid disabled identification card issued by the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (Metro), a valid Veterans ID or a valid Medicare Card. Effective November 16, 2009, all riders wishing to purchase reduced fare tickets must present a VRE Disabled ID card.

How Do I Obtain A VRE Disabled ID Card?

The application for the VRE Disabled 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.

The application must be submitted in person so that a photo can be taken. IDs will be mailed to the patron within 10 business days of receipt of the application.

How much is the discount?

The discount is 50% off the cost of a regular priced VRE ticket, with the exception of the VRE-TLC ticket. Visit our reduced-fares page to view all discounted ticket prices.

Only the vendors at Franconia/Springfield, Alexandria, Crystal City, L’Enfant and Union Station (as well as Commuter Direct) will be able to sell discounted tickets. See our vendor pages for vendor locations.

Carry ID With You On The Train

Once you have obtained a Metro Disabled ID card or Medicare card, carry it with you when you board the train. Proof of eligibility must be available when using a discounted ticket.

Does VRE offer a disabled attendant pass?

Passengers who require assistance from their origination stations to their destinations stations 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.

How do I Apply for a Disabled Attendant Pass?

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 also stating the need for special assistance by an attendant while riding the train.

The letter must be mailed to Virginia Railway Express at the address below:

1500 King Street, Suite 202
Alexandria, VA 22314
attn: Disabled Attendant Pass

Upon receipt and verification, VRE will create a special fare exempt flash pass for an attendant. This process usually takes 10-15 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 pass will be valid through the calendar year. All passes expire on December 31 of each year and must be renewed by the rider. To renew a pass for the next year a new letter and request must be received by VRE no later than November 15.

What Do You Do When You Get To The Station?

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. All stations are also equipped with manual chair lifts. The conductors will operate the chair lift and lock the chair in place securely on the train. We also have installed 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.