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Amtrak Virginia: Ridership has almost doubled
All of this under a Republican administration and legislature too. It proves one thing - “If you build it, they will come.”
The reason these are such great successes is they are NEC extensions. They tie VA into the NEC.
If you look at the Newport News ridership vs Norfolk, you do see some cannibalism, but it’s still a pretty big net “win.” If you look a the Crescent and Lynchburg train, it looks like every seat freed up by the Lynchburg train was filled by some other rider.
The really interesting extension will be when NC and VA finally get their head and money around the HrSR link from Richmond to Raleigh/Durham/Cary. Both states have a feel for rail passenger service now - it wouldn’t be a big leap of faith…
Things will be even better for passenger rail in Virginia after the upcoming election.
This how it should work!
Excellent news. Having travelled In Virginia it is great to see this positive news. I believe that there is so much potential for rail to ease the congestion on the roads in this area. Next thing as a Brit I d like to see is regular interval trains along some of the corridors. Keep up the good work.
When Roanoke starts up the service should carry sleepers and a diner.
Democrats are not always the passenger train’s guardian angel (eg Texas Chief)
Where’s the anti-Amtrak idiotic nonsense criticism from the Goose???
The article states that “Virginia supported” passenger traffic is up. True, but I understand the existing Crescent service also has experienced significant growth in Virginia passenger boardings and alightings, as the Lynchburg train has freed up capacity on the Crescent.
It’s great to see successes like this, and I hope it’s a vision of things to come! Passenger Rail Service is needed all along the Eastern US Coast where traffic congestion is a source of heartburn day after day!
Great job Joe Boardman! You have turned things around for Amtrak, keep up the good work!
Robert Carter, you are correct. The Demise of the Texas Chief a.k.a. Lone Star along with the Floridian, North Coast Hiawatha, and The Broadway Ltd. happened under Jimmy Carter’s watch. And during the Clinton Administration, we lost The Desert Wind along with the Pioneer, and a couple of other trains. Perhaps, the “benign negligence” is the way to go for train haters. At any rate, that SUCKS!
Let’s not stop at Roanoke, why not stop at Bristol!
What would really be great is if the existing services get more trains on them. Isn’t there some wayimplentation of service to Roanoke could be sped up?
I agree - bring the train to Bristol(& maybe even Chattanooga).
We’ve pretty much given up driving from the Boston area to Maryland and Virginia to visit family, in favor of Regional coaches to DC and Richmond. It’s a lot more restful than fighting traffic and weather, and far less stressful than flying. My Amtrak Guest Rewards card gets us free rides, too.
I do wish they’d bring the sleeping cars back on the Corridor.
/Mr Lynn
Great that passengers are exceeding expectations.
But let’s check what we are paying for this success.
Last year, the Lynchburg train required $40 per ticket in subsidies taken from the Virginia taxpayers. Has that gone down or up?
The Virginia government website indicates that subsidies to Amtrak Virginia will top $39 Million/yr in 2021 and still increasing.
Having ridden the Lynchburg train and the Crescent through Virginia, and driven from DC to Lynchburg a number of times, I can see why that train does well. The road is decent, but not like an interstate the whole way. If it were, the train might not be quite as great an alternative. But then there is still the issue of parking in DC or driving anywhere beyond there.
I wish writers like Mr. Sweeney would scrutinize subsidies for air and road travel just as painstakingly as for rail. There is no such thing? Ahh, mhm, interesting…
I am so glad to hear that passengers flock to the existing train services nationwide. There is huge potential and I admire the efforts made by individuals and institutions to promote passenger rail.
I happily see my tax franc spent on such an efficient system as we have it (and take for granted) in Switzerland.