[ALUmnus]

http://www2.newsadvance.com/news/2010/n ... ar-660436/

The Amtrak Virginia train from Lynchburg to Washington and Boston was a runaway success in its first year, the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation said Wednesday.

Ridership and revenues were almost 2½ times better than goals that were set when the service began.

The state Department of Rail and Public Transportation said ridership for the train, which began Oct. 1, 2009, totaled 126,072 passengers as of Sept. 30. That figure exceeded Amtrak’s target of 51,000 riders by 147 percent.

The service also exceeded the annual revenue goal of $2.58 million by generating almost $6.4 million, which was 145 percent over the goal.

This is pretty good news. Anyone on here use this service yet? I've been wanting to. How much is it typically, and how long is the trip to DC? Seeing what a huge success this route has been, I hope they consider adding a route to Richmond as well.

[From the class of 09]

Did it actually make money?

[ATrain]

http://www2.newsadvance.com/news/2010/n ... ar-660436/

The Amtrak Virginia train from Lynchburg to Washington and Boston was a runaway success in its first year, the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation said Wednesday.

Ridership and revenues were almost 2½ times better than goals that were set when the service began.

The state Department of Rail and Public Transportation said ridership for the train, which began Oct. 1, 2009, totaled 126,072 passengers as of Sept. 30. That figure exceeded Amtrak’s target of 51,000 riders by 147 percent.

The service also exceeded the annual revenue goal of $2.58 million by generating almost $6.4 million, which was 145 percent over the goal.

This is pretty good news. Anyone on here use this service yet? I've been wanting to. How much is it typically, and how long is the trip to DC? Seeing what a huge success this route has been, I hope they consider adding a route to Richmond as well.

Its about 4 hrs to DC, I've taken the train twice from Lynchburg to Philadelphia. Not a bad ride, some nice scenery along the way. Round trip to Philly was $160 if I remember correctly. They need WiFi though. Also, a Lynchburg-Richmond route isn't likely...they tore up the tracks going through Farmville. Personally, I'm just hoping they upgrade the tracks and expand to Roanoke.

[Hold My Own]

Have you seen the ticket prices? I'd never pay that to go to DC

Atrain....I guess I'm starting where you came up with your name....seriously you'd take a train from Lynchburg to Roanoke?


*This might open a can of worms but I'll risk it

[Hold My Own]

Ok, I just looked again at the prices, they are not nearly as bad as they once were....or that I thought they were.


I'd pay $39 each way to go to DC. I was thinking it was $100 each way.

[ATrain]

Have you seen the ticket prices? I'd never pay that to go to DC

Atrain....I guess I'm starting where you came up with your name....seriously you'd take a train from Lynchburg to Roanoke?


*This might open a can of worms but I'll risk it

Need I remind you, I'm originally from the Farmville area. And no, I would not get on a train just to go from Lynchburg to Roanoke. I meant it would be nice to not have to drive to Lynchburg to get on the train for what appears to be my annual trip north to Philadelphia.

As for where the name came from, it started in high school when someone started calling me A-Train and it stuck. That's the whole, non-glorious story. Though no one who met me after my junior year at LU refers to me as A-Train.

[krautmasterflex]

All thanks to the hard work of then House of Delgates member Shannon Valentine to expand that service to Lynchburg...

[ALUmnus]

All thanks to the hard work of then House of Delgates member Shannon Valentine to expand that service to Lynchburg...

NEWSFLASH: She lost.

[ATrain]

All thanks to the hard work of then House of Delgates member Shannon Valentine to expand that service to Lynchburg...

NEWSFLASH: She lost.

He did say THEN House of Delegates member Shannon Valentine. However, I believe Steve Newman and others were also instrumental in getting this service, so she doesn't deserve all the thanks.