University students and Charlottesville residents could soon benefit from a recently approved initiative meant to provide increased rail transportation to Washington, D.C. from central Virginia.
The Commonwealth Transportation Board authorized the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation to enter into an agreement with Amtrak, Norfolk Southern and the Virginia Railway Express last Thursday for a new state funded service in Virginia. The new agreement would allow for one new train running from Lynchburg to Washington and one running from Richmond to Washington, said Jennifer Pickett, chief of policy and communication at DRPT. Overall funding for the new trains, in addition to the cost of refurbishing two additional trains, will cost $25.2 million over a period of three years, Pickett said.
Corrin Hoffmann, the program manager for legislative affairs and advocacy at the Lynchburg Regional Chamber of Commerce, said Amtrak has had a service that comes through Lynchburg and goes to Washington. With the current service, however, the train is generally full, which can make it difficult for passengers to find availability on the train in Lynchburg. Hoffmann suggested that the approved funding could help alleviate some of these concerns.
Charlottesville Mayor Dave Norris also said it is difficult to find a seat on trains leaving Charlottesville.
“By having a train especially for the 29 corridor, it will give people in Charlottesville a much higher chance of getting on the train and getting on, on time,” he said.
Hoffmann said not only will the availability and timeliness of the Virginia railway improve but that the changes in the railway will improve the affordability of transportation in Virginia.
“What is interesting about the trains, is both of them offer service as far north as Boston, and Virginia will get the revenue credit for all along the line,” Pickett said, adding that the lines originally only traveled to Washington.
Hoffman echoed Pickett’s sentiments, noting that the new trains will benefit Charlottesville in several ways.
“Anything that can help travel and bring commerce and tourism and help the transportation of those who are working in businesses here is good for the community, it is good for the education here, it is good for business, and overall good for the economy,” Hoffmann said.
Norris also added that the easier access to the city provided by the improvements in the Virginia railway system “helps to make the University a more attractive destination.”
From a less positive perspective, however, Norris said he has heard some concern about Charlottesville becoming a “bedroom community” for people working in Washington, which could result in unwanted development. Such concerns do not strike him as being realistic, though, he said.
“I just don’t see people commuting two hours to work everyday,” Norris said.
Pickett said Amtrak’s board is expected to put the new agreement into action at the company’s April 23 meeting. Virginia, meanwhile, has already approved the new trains, and the department has established a tentative time schedule that is awaiting further input from Amtrak, Pickett said.
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