New Transportation Center in Virginia: Enhanced Amtrak Routes and Convenient Transfers for Passengers

A new multimodal transportation center has opened in Virginia, aimed at improving connectivity between different modes of transport and increasing convenience for passengers, this is reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

The $53 million project is the result of collaboration between Amtrak, CSX, local and state agencies, as well as federal authorities.

First Pesa Tram in Tallinn: The Innovative Twist Starts Service on Route No. 2

Located in Newport News, the center integrates Amtrak Virginia’s rail routes with bus lines and serves as a crucial hub on Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor.

The center’s opening on August 22 marks a significant improvement in the region’s transportation infrastructure.

The new complex facilitates transfers between two daily Amtrak Virginia circular routes that travel from Newport News through Richmond and Alexandria in Virginia to Washington, D.C., and further to cities in the Northeast.

Passengers can also use the Amtrak Thruway bus service, which connects Newport News with Norfolk and Virginia Beach.

Additionally, the transportation center provides access to Hampton Roads Transit services, taxis, and shuttles running between Newport News-Williamsburg Airport and the city.

A key component of the new complex is a state-of-the-art maintenance facility. Here, crews conduct daily inspections and cleaning of trains, preparing them for subsequent trips. This innovation significantly enhances service efficiency and improves the quality of services provided.

The creation of the multimodal transportation center required over ten years of planning and close cooperation among numerous organizations.

Project participants include Amtrak, the city of Newport News, Virginia Passenger Rail Authority (VPRA), CSX, the Federal Railroad Administration, the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation, and the Virginia Department of Transportation.

DJ Stadtler, VPRA Executive Director, noted that this project serves as an example of how partnerships between various stakeholders can lead to significant changes.

The center’s opening comes against the backdrop of increasing popularity of passenger rail services in Virginia.

Last year, passenger traffic reached record levels—1.26 million people used Virginia Passenger Rail services, significantly surpassing the previous record of just under 900,000 passengers in 2015.

This positive trend reflects growing interest in rail travel and the importance of developing transportation infrastructure to meet rising demand.

Photo: Adobe Stock

Rail business, industry, and railway technology news from Railway Supply that you might have missed:

Končar Unveils Its First Battery Train: A Highlight at InnoTrans 2024