Keolis North America has been awarded a new contract to continue operating and maintaining the Virginia Railway Express (VRE) commuter rail service, following a competitive procurement process. The agreement extends a partnership that began in 2010.
The new contract is due to commence in July 2026 and includes options that could extend the term to 15 years. Under the agreement, Keolis will remain responsible for train operations and maintenance across the VRE network, which serves Central and Northern Virginia and the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area.
Virginia Railway Express
© Virginia Railway Express
Virginia Railway Express operates 32 weekday trains on two lines covering approximately 90 route miles. The fleet comprises 20 diesel locomotives and around 100 passenger coaches. More than 100 Keolis employees will be assigned to the service, carrying out train operations, equipment maintenance, selected facilities maintenance and lifecycle maintenance activities.
VRE cited Keolis’ performance during the current contract period as a factor in the decision. Since taking over operations in 2010, Keolis has overseen service delivery that has included high levels of punctuality and a strong safety record. The operator reports that there have been no train accidents during its tenure and that several work groups have achieved long periods without workplace injuries.
Since 2015, operations under Keolis have been certified to the ISO 9001 quality management standard, reflecting the use of formal processes for continuous improvement in service delivery, safety and maintenance.
Brad Thomas, president and CEO of Keolis North America said:
We are honoured that VRE has once again placed its trust in Keolis. This renewal underscores the operational excellence our teams deliver each day, and we remain committed to the highest standards of safety, reliability, and customer service as we support the DMV region’s mobility needs.
Keolis has operated public transport services in North America since 2002. The company provides bus, paratransit, tram and commuter rail services across 21 cities in the United States and Canada, carrying around 110 million passengers each year. It employs approximately 9,000 people across the region.