VRE is THE most non rider-friendly public transportation I've ever come across to. I've been riding it on and off for more than a decade just because there's no other choice. It appears to be a small, friendly, community commuter train operation but it's anything but that - feels more like a big corporation imposing rules only to their benefit.
Here's my experience:
1/VRE service is scarce and meant for commuters in northern VA working regular work days in DC, that is, pretty much a Mon.-Fri., 9-5 schedule. If you need to ride the morning hour train starts from 5am, you won't be able to ride it back unless you work an 11-hour day or have other means to get back to the parking lot, because the afternoon service won't start until after 4pm. Don't expect this to get any better - I've asked because of my early morning schedule and the answer? "We've been like this for all the years and didn't have any complain."
2/Validate tickets!! or go explain to a criminal judge! if you were a little late and trying to catch the train and wouldn't have time to validate, you're pretty much doomed for the court showing because the attendant won't listen to your explanation, won't give you opportunity to validate the ticket on the train like a lot of other train co. will do. VRE used to be not like that but things definitely have changed. Why, the answer they provided is that "some people are taking advantage of the system". while, every system will be taken advantage of by some people, does that mean that all the rest is enemy? And again, most of the VRE riders are government employees who get free ticket subsidized by the government, who would have the incentive to skip a validation or two?
3/VRE tickets expire after one year. they used to do one-time exchange of those expired ticket but suddenly stopped, no warning, no sign. Compare to other public transportation in DC, such as Metro, which the fare cards never expire, VRE feels more like a thief that is ready to get you one way or the other.
the ride itself is fine but be prepared when the train gets late, it's LATE, like 30min and up most of the time. I've waited on a platform in a freezing winter afternoon for more than an hour. the train sometimes gets stuck in the middle of the track to wait for clear passes (VRE lease the tracks, doesn't own any). So, maybe one time ride is impressive enough, but try riding more. read more