VRE Rail group hosts Lynchburg, TDX delegation
Successful passenger rail service shares best practices
LYNCHBURG, Va.,— In anticipation of the new Lynchburg to Washington D.C. service, a local delegation visited the Alexandria headquarters of the Virginia Railway Express. Chamber President and CEO, Rex Hammond was accompanied by Lynchburg City Councilman Turner Perrow, Charlottesville TransDominion Express Committee Member Rebecca White and Chamber staff Corrin Hoffmann.
The delegation rode the morning train from Broad Run into the city and was then treated to a tour and presentation by VRE’s CEO, Dale Zehner. The conversation mostly focused on best practices and lesions learned in VRE’s 17 plus years of service.
“This was an excellent chance to get to know several VRE employees and dialogue with them about the service. VRE has an excellent reputation in Virginia and has been helpful and supportive in promoting other passenger rail services in the Commonwealth,” said Rex Hammond, President and CEO of the Lynchburg Regional Chamber of Commerce.
The Chamber is currently working closely with the Department of Rail and Public Transportation, the City of Lynchburg, and the Committee to Advance the TransDominion Express to ensure the new service is a success.
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I hope the new proposed service can become a reality from Lynchburg or Roanoke (in the future) to Washington. There are many people who would take advantage of an earlier train with less need for reservations, or a train from Lynchburg to Richmond that continued to Washington on an early schedule.
I’m very glad that it’s excellent benefits for Passengers who reside in Va that actually need a TransDominion Express.I would like to recommend a time schedule starting at 5am because Some passengers who work at 8 or 8:30am at Washington,DC. Is There any possible to extend schedule as far as 5am?
Greg Simms
Over the first 4 months of service the new Lynchburg Train has experienced more than double the expected riders. If this continues, the Amtrak/Virgina June 2, 2009 Agreement establishing the new train allows for the possibility of a connecting bus from Bristol, if revenue/cost projections are favorable.
We all need to work hard to increase ridership on the new train. That is the quickest way to get rail extended to Bedford, Roanoke, Christiansburg, Radford, and beyond.
I love the new train to and from Washington DC. I only wish that they would extend it to either Radford or Christinasburg.
I live in DC and I grew up in Blacksburg. Service to Christiansburg would be a big help for me as I travel between the two often to tend to my parents. Having to still find transportation to Lynchburg is often dificult.
I think Christiansburg to DC train would be a huge sucess. Just think of all those VT students from Northern VA that would no longer use I81. Less traffic on the highways and a more mobile community would be great for southwestern VA. Not to mention the savings from less wear and tear on the highways.
Come on Blacksburg. Come on VT. Get on board and show your support for a much need asset for VA. Do it sooner not later.