The Virginia Railway Express has received final approval for its plan to abandon its 17-year-old relationship with Amtrak and partner with a company based in France to operate its commuter rail system.

On Friday, the Northern Virginia and Potomac and Rappahannock transportation commissions voted in favor of awarding a five-year, $85.7 million contract to Keolis Rail Services America, the U.S. subsidiary of a French company.

The VRE Operations Board approved the plan October 16. The contract has two five-year renewal options and will begin July 1, when Amtrak's contract ends.

A challenge from Amtrak over the VRE board's decision was dismissed. An Amtrak spokesman says VRE's response did not address Amtrak's safety and security concerns.

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