In 1989 the two Commissions, NVTC and PRTC, entered into the Virginia Railway Express Master Agreement which, among other things, established an Operations Board to coordinate the creation, development, and operation of the Virginia Railway Express.The Commissions’ each perform management of state and federal assistance to VRE, the support of the VRE Operations Board, and the apportionment of local contributions. The Commissions also share responsibility for regional planning of the VRE commuter rail system. NVTC and PRTC approve VRE policies, fares, major investments and legislative initiatives, authorize expenditures greater than $1,000,000 and approve the annual VRE budget and multi-year capital improvement program.

VRE operates 30 trains each weekday and provides up to 21,000 daily trips, offering significant relief in the highly congested I-66 and I-95/395 commuting corridors of Northern Virginia. 

NVTC appoints four of the 15 members of the VRE Operations Board, one each from Alexandria and Arlington, three from Fairfax County, as well as three alternates. NVTC and PRTC (Potomac and Rappahannock Transportation Commission) members rotate responsibility for chairing the Operations Board. The VRE Operations Board, consisting of 15 board members, oversees all operating aspects of the VRE under authority delegated by the two Commissions and consistent with the terms of the VRE Master Agreement.