Virginia Railway Express, the commuter line that ties Washington, D.C., to the Virginia suburbs, has narrowed a review of its six-figure PR and advertising pact to three firms.

Burson-Marsteller, Pulsar Advertising and Sparky’s Garage will compete as finalists for the railway’s account, valued at $200K/year.

VRE, established 19 years ago, carries about 18,500 passengers each workday via 18 stations.

Alexandria-based Williams Whittle Associates is winding down a pact through the end of the VRE’s fiscal year. It has worked with the railway for the past six years.