News Coverage

Published by The News & Advance, March 17, 2010
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It’s OK to cheer about the news from the passenger platform at Kemper Street Station. A few naysayers were less than enthusiastic about the state subsidizing the new Amtrak rail passenger service from Lynchburg to Washington. They said it would be a waste of public money and that not enough passengers would board here to make the service economically feasible.

The new Amtrak train between Lynchburg and Washington had twice as many passengers as expected during its first month of operation in October, state rail officials said Wednesday. Revenues from passenger fares were strong too, despite low introductory rates, said Kevin Page, rail transportation chief for the Department of Rail and Public Transportation.

The Roanoke Times
www.roanoke.com
Amtrak is to roll out its new passenger rail service originating in Lynchburg with a stop in Washington on Oct. 1, but the hopes of some supporters already have been sidetracked.
A later-than-expected departure time will make it unlikely that the added service will be a boon for business travelers along the U.S. 29 [...]

By Sean Tubbs
Charlottesville Tomorrow
Published: August 28, 2009When a three-year pilot project for a new daily train from Lynchburg to Washington was approved by state officials earlier this year, area rail activists celebrated. But when the departure schedule for the Amtrak train was announced in March, supporters quickly grew concerned that its long-term viability was [...]

WDBJ
www.WDBJ7.com
Civic leaders on the Lynchburg to D.C. route are working to keep the train on track.
When a second, daily passenger train pulls into Kemper Street station this fall, many are convinced it will have support.
“There already is a lot of excitement building in Lynchburg about this new service,” says Corrin Hoffmann with Lynchburg Regional Chamber, but [...]

The News & Advance
Published: April 2, 2009
For the most part, members of the General Assembly look out for the interests of their districts while at the same time keeping an eye out for the overall best interests of the state. It’s a big job.
Give state Sen. Mark Obenshain an “F” for failing to keep the [...]

By Ray Reed
News & Advance
A who’s-who list of political leaders and executives filled a tent at the Kemper Street Station in Lynchburg on Wednesday to watch Gov. Timothy M. Kaine and Norfolk Southern Chairman Wick Moorman sign Virginia’s first agreement to support passenger trains.
“We are entering a new era” in passenger rail service, Kaine said, [...]

Published by The News & Advance
Last Thursday was a momentous day for enhanced passenger rail advocates in Virginia: The Commonwealth Transportation Board OK’d spending $25.2 million over the next three years to run two new trains to Washington, D.C.
Under the three-year pilot program, two trains a day will between Lynchburg and Washington and Richmond and [...]

Published by The News & Advance
A decade ago, who in his right mind would have thought expanded rail service in Central Virginia possible.
Today, the dream of additional passenger service to Washington, D.C., is tantalizingly close to becoming a reality.
The state Department of Rail and Public Transportation has recommended to the Commonwealth Transportation Board that [...]