FRED Fare Increases Go Into Effect July 1, 2009. Fredericksburg City Council and participationg FRED jurisdictions have approved the first across-the-board FRED fare increase in its 12-year history. The increases are designed to generate additional revenues for FRED, which will be used to offset a greater portion of the system's expenses. Over 90% of FRED's expenses are covered by Federal and State grants and payments by FRED's local government partners (the City of Fredericksburg and the counties of Spotsylvania, Stafford, Caroline and King George) and contributions from other major partners (see the "Prepaid" list below).
Current FRED Fares and Passes
| Rider | Fares | Monthly Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Adults -- Regular Service | 50¢ | $25.00 |
| Adults -- VRE Feeder | $1.25 | $40.00 |
| Children under 3 years | FREE | FREE |
| MediCorp Health System | Prepaid (Must Show ID) | |
| Univ. of Mary Washington | Prepaid (Must Show ID) | |
| Star Radio Group | Prepaid (Must Show ID) | |
| The Free Lance-Star | Prepaid (Must Show ID) | |
Exact Fare is Required. FRED drivers cannot make change. Please have Exact Fare, Bus Pass, MediCorp Health System Identification, University of Mary Washington Identification or WFLS or Free Lance-Star Identification ready before boarding a bus.
VRE Feeder Service Fare Options. The one-way single fare for VRE feeder buses is $1.25. You can also purchase a 4-ticket booklet for $5.00 and a monthly pass for $40.00. All payments must be in cash (exact fare only, please). Multiple ride tickets may be purchased from your driver or at FRED Central. You can also purchase monthly passes for VRE feeders using Smart Benefits Vouchers; Smart Benefits Vouchers can be redeemed at FRED Central and at the offices of the Geroge Washington Regional Commission across from the train station on Princess Anne St. In addition, your monthly pass entitles you to ride all of FRED's other services at no additional charge.
Transfers
Each Boarding Costs 50¢. Transfers between FRED buses can be done at any point at which routes intersect, but are most easily done at our main transfer locations (see below). When transferring between buses, you will have to pay another 50¢. Your driver can help you to accomplish the transfer. For instance, should a driver be running a few minutes late, he or she may be able to radio ahead to request that your connecting bus wait for you. If you need assistance in making a transfer, please tell your driver as soon as you board the bus.
Transfer Locations
FRED's main tranfer points include: FRED Central, Spotsylvania Towne Centre, Lee's Hill Center, the AMTRAK/VRE train station, Olde Forge Plaza, Bowling Green Community Services Center, Stafford Marketplace, Stafford Courthouse, and The Shops at King George.
Holiday Service
There is no FRED bus service on the following observed City holidays: New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day. FRED will not operate VRE feeder service on days that the VRE does not operate (check www.vre.org for details).
Inclement Weather
During bad weather, please stay tuned to the local radio stations -- especially FRED Partner WFLS, 93.3 -- to find out if service will be offered that day or modified in any way, or visit www.rideFRED.com. If the City of Fredericksburg's government offices do not open, FRED will not run. Please call FRED Central at (540) 372-1222 and touch "0" to talk to staff or to hear our updated recording on the status of FRED service.
Sherry Ann Jett joined FRED in January 2002. You can see her most often on the City's routes, but she drives occasionally in Stafford and Spotsylvania as well. She was recently recognized as FRED's Driver of the Quarter for her outstanding service and spotless safety record. Sherry Ann enjoys getting to know her passengers and considers them "family." "Most of all, FRED has helped the area's elderly and mobility challenged achieve a degree of independence. I'm proud to be a part of the caring FRED team," says Sherry Ann.