Commuter rail is being reinvented—and at Virginia Railway Express (VRE), that shift starts with one big idea: becoming a true regional rail system.

Katie Choe, CEO of VRE, joins Paul Comfort to explain how the agency is moving beyond its traditional peak-hour, commuter-focused model toward a more flexible, all-day, bi-directional network designed for today’s travel patterns.

At the center of that transformation is VRE’s System Plan 2050, a roadmap to expand service, increase frequency, and serve a broader mix of riders—from daily commuters to evening, weekend, and recreational travelers.

In this episode, Katie breaks down:

What it really means to shift from commuter rail to regional rail
How VRE plans to deliver a 60% increase in service by 2030
The challenge of operating on shared freight corridors—and how new capacity changes the game
Why diversifying beyond federal commuters is critical to long-term growth
How agencies can make incremental service improvements now, before major infrastructure is complete

The conversation also highlights one of VRE’s biggest differentiators: customer experience. From meeting first-time riders at the station to achieving more than 60% participation in annual rider surveys, VRE has built a level of trust that directly informs how the system evolves.

With a background spanning Massport, the City of Boston, and the MBTA, Katie brings a systems-level view to the role—balancing infrastructure, operations, and rider needs as VRE navigates this transition.

What’s next?

While major expansion is on the horizon, VRE isn’t waiting. The team is already exploring extended evening service, special event trains, and new ways to attract riders in the near term—all part of the shift toward a more dynamic, regional system.Credits

Host and Producer: Paul Comfort

Executive Producer: Julie Gates

Producer: Chris O’Keeffe

Editor: Patrick Emile

Associate Producer: Cyndi Raskin

Brand Design: Tina Olagundoye

Transit Unplugged is brought to you by Modaxo, passionate about moving the world’s people.

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this program are those of the guests, and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Modaxo Inc., its affiliates or subsidiaries, or any entities they represent (“Modaxo”). This production belongs to Modaxo, and may contain information that may be subject to trademark, copyright, or other intellectual property rights and restrictions. This production provides general information, and should not be relied on as legal advice or opinion. Modaxo specifically disclaims all warranties, express or implied, and will not be liable for any losses, claims, or damages arising from the use of this presentation, from any material contained in it, or from any action or decision taken in response to it.

Reinventing Commuter Rail for a Post-9-to-5 World

Transit Unplugged

Reinventing Commuter Rail for a Post-9-to-5 World