Goal to boost local food and beverage industry

RICHMOND — Customers will get a taste of Virginia while traveling on the train. The Virginia Passenger Rail Authority, Amtrak, and the Center of the Universe Brewing Company in Ashland are partnering to offer a local craft beer, Brewski, onboard Amtrak Virginia trains.

Beginning June 8, Brewski, will be available for purchase in the Café Cars on Northeast Regional service traveling along four corridors from Roanoke, Newport News, Norfolk, and Richmond to Washington, D.C. and continuing to Philadelphia, New York City, and Boston.  A 12-ounce can of Brewski will cost $8.00.

A 5% German-Style Dortmunder pale lager, Brewski debuted at the Center of the Universe in April of 2022.  The Dortmunder style was originally created in Germany around 150 years ago as a lower ABV lager alternative for working class citizens.  This origin story influenced the tagline for the brand, “THE LAGER THAT WORKS AS HARD AS YOU.”

The addition of Brewski to Amtrak Virginia beverage options is the culmination of a two-year effort to offer locally-sourced products on Virginia trains, a key recommendation of the Amtrak Food & Beverage Working Group (FBWG).  A cross-functional team comprised of representatives from Virginia and Washington state, Amtrak employees and unions, as well as rail advocacy groups, the FBWG was created as a part of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021.

The FBWG called on Amtrak to establish a formal process for states to sell locally-sourced products on their respective state-supported routes.  Virginia is currently serving as a pilot state, implementing those recommendations. The addition of Brewski to the menu aids Virginia in meeting the FBWG goals to cultivate partnerships with local producers, boost the local food and beverage industry, and improve overall customer experience on trains.

“Offering Brewski onboard our Amtrak Virginia trains isn’t just about adding to our beverage menu, it’s about supporting Virginia’s vibrant craft beer industry, a cornerstone of several local economies,” said DJ Stadtler, Executive Director of the Virginia Passenger Rail Authority.  “This partnership allows us to celebrate Virginia’s unique craft beer offerings while supporting the communities we serve and directly injecting revenue into Virginia’s economy.”

“Our food and beverage offerings are essential to the customer experience,” Amtrak Vice President Ray Lang said.  “We are pleased to partner with VPRA and Center of the Universe Brewing Co. to offer something new for people to enjoy while traveling with us.”

“Rail fans and craft beer fans alike have been sipping Brewskis and watching trains at our Downtown Ashland brewery and taproom, Origin Beer Lab, for six years now,” said Chris Ray, Owner of the Center of the Universe Brewing Company.  “Amtrak Virginia passengers can now raise a glass of Brewski as they journey across the state, savoring a taste of Virginia’s rich brewing heritage. This partnership is a welcome boost to the local economy.”

About Virginia Passenger Rail Authority

The Virginia Passenger Rail Authority was established in 2020 to promote, sustain, and expand the availability of passenger and commuter rail service in the Commonwealth. VPRA is committed to delivering and expanding its state-supported Amtrak Virginia passenger rail service.  The Commonwealth of Virginia first launched state-supported service in 2009 with one roundtrip between Washington, DC and Lynchburg, VA.  Since that time, the Commonwealth’s service has grown to include eight roundtrips daily with stops at 17 stations along four corridors.  For more information, please visit vapassengerrailauthority.org.

About Amtrak®

For 50 years, Amtrak has connected America and transformed transportation by modernizing train travel and building for the future. Amtrak will continue to play an important role in the national transportation network for the next 50 years and beyond by operating a safe, environmentally efficient and fiscally responsible business by providing travelers with an experience that sets a new standard. Book travel, check train status, access your eTicket and more through the Amtrak app. Learn more at Amtrak.com and connect with us on X, Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn.

About Center of the Universe Brewing Company

Owned by brothers Chris and Phil Ray, the Center of the Universe Brewing Company opened in 2011 in Ashland, Virginia.  Offering a variety of lagers and IPAs, Center of the Universe prides itself on offering sustainable and consistent core products year-round.  In addition to their core craft beers, a monthly seasonal rotates in to keep the selection fresh.  Chris and Phil’s craft beers have been recognized by the Virginia Craft Brewers Cup. For details, please visit cotubrewing.com.

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Strong spring leads to summer with a record-setting April

RICHMOND — The Virginia Passenger Rail Authority (VPRA) announced today that its state-supported passenger rail service, Amtrak Virginia, saw another month of record ridership in April. With a total of 118,474 passengers traveling, April 2024 beat April 2023 by 9.8%. All four Amtrak Virginia corridors saw ridership increases resulting in the highest ridership for the month of April since the Commonwealth started state-supported service in 2009. The Norfolk corridor again carried the most passengers with 44,616 traveling.

April 2024 vs April 2023 Comparison

“For 11 of the past 12 months, our Amtrak Virginia service has set a monthly record,” said DJ Stadtler, Executive Director of VPRA. “VPRA was created because the General Assembly saw a need to provide more passenger rail options for travelers, and with these numbers, it’s clear they were right. We look forward to seeing more Virginians on board this summer.”

Monthly Ridership Totals – Last 12 Months

*Not a monthly ridership record.

Only the month of December 2023 did not set a record for monthly ridership over the past twelve months. At 110,352, it fell just short of the record of 111,082 set in December 2022. The month of August 2023 holds the all-time record for monthly ridership at 130,998.

VPRA manages the state’s Amtrak Virginia service, which includes eight daily roundtrips along four corridors. Service travels through the Commonwealth from Roanoke, Norfolk, Newport News, and Richmond to Washington, DC and points north including Baltimore, Philadelphia, New York City, and Boston.

In addition to the Amtrak Virginia service, VPRA also has the lead on the state’s Transforming Rail in Virginia (TRV) initiative. This forward-looking plan is designed to give Virginians an alternative to driving along congested highways and interstates — to provide some relief from what has become Virginia’s “all day rush hour.” The initiative calls for moving Virginians by using an existing rail corridor and building new infrastructure, eventually separating freight and passenger rail services. When complete, Amtrak Virginia will offer a total of 13 daily roundtrips traveling throughout the state and connecting to the Northeast Corridor.

About Virginia Passenger Rail Authority
The Virginia Passenger Rail Authority was established in 2020 to promote, sustain, and expand the availability of passenger and commuter rail service in the Commonwealth. VPRA is committed to delivering and expanding its state-supported Amtrak Virginia passenger rail service. The Commonwealth of Virginia first launched state-supported service in 2009 with one roundtrip between Washington, DC and Lynchburg, VA. Since that time, Virginia’s state-supported passenger rail service has grown to include eight roundtrips daily with stops at 17 stations along four corridors. For more information, please visit vapassengerrailauthority.org.

Follow us on social media: Facebook @VAPassengerRail, X @vapassengerrail, LinkedIn virginia-passenger-rail-authority, and YouTube @virginiapassengerrailauthority.

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Double-digit increases seen on all four corridors

RICHMOND — The Virginia Passenger Rail Authority (VPRA) marked another record increase in ridership last month. During March, 123,658 passengers traveled on the state-supported Amtrak Virginia service. This was an increase of 21% over March 2023, which saw 102,087 passengers and was the highest ridership for the month of March since Virginia’s state-supported service began in 2009.

All four Amtrak Virginia corridors saw double-digit increases year-over-year with Richmond seeing the greatest increase of 32.5%. The Norfolk corridor carried the most passengers, 45,185.

March 2024 vs March 2023 Comparison

NOTE:  March 2024 had five weekends while March 2023 only had four.

“As our ridership continues to set records, Virginia is fast becoming an example of how state-supported passenger rail service can be a formidable part of a state’s transportation mix,” said DJ Stadtler, Executive Director of VPRA.  “We recognize that many people rely on their cars, however, by offering reliable rail service that goes where travelers want to go, we can take some of those cars off the road.  That’s a win-win for a state famous for its traffic.”

With the school spring break season leading up to Easter, spring travel began early this year.  Five weekends in the month of March also contributed to the record ridership.

Currently, Amtrak Virginia offers three daily roundtrips between Norfolk and Washington, DC, two daily roundtrips between both Roanoke and Washington, and Newport News and Washington, and one daily roundtrip between Richmond and the nation’s capital.  Plans to expand the service are underway through VPRA’s Transforming Rail in Virginia (TRV) initiative.  This innovative and forward-looking plan will give Virginians an alternative to traveling along congested highways and interstates. The initiative calls for increasing passenger rail service in the Commonwealth by purchasing railroad right-of-way and building infrastructure.

With the completion of TRV’s Phase 1 projects, two new Amtrak Virginia roundtrips are scheduled to launch in 2026.  The completion of TRV’s Phase 2 projects – which include a new bridge across the Potomac River — will result in three new roundtrips for a total of 13 daily roundtrips by 2030.

About Virginia Passenger Rail Authority

The Virginia Passenger Rail Authority was established in 2020 to promote, sustain, and expand the availability of passenger and commuter rail service in the Commonwealth. VPRA is committed to delivering and expanding its state-supported Amtrak Virginia passenger rail service.  The Commonwealth of Virginia first launched state-supported service in 2009 with one roundtrip between Washington, DC and Lynchburg, VA.  Since that time, the Commonwealth’s service has grown to include eight roundtrips daily with stops at 17 stations along four corridors.  For more information, please visit vapassengerrailauthority.org. Follow us on social media: Facebook @VAPassengerRail, X @vapassengerrail, LinkedIn virginia-passenger-rail-authority, and YouTube @virginiapassengerrailauthority.

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Increases seen on all four corridors

RICHMOND — The Virginia Passenger Rail Authority (VPRA) announced today that more than 1.32 million passengers traveled on its state-supported Amtrak Virginia service during calendar year 2023. This was the highest ridership recorded since state-supported service began in 2009, and the total – 1,325,937 – beat calendar year 2022 ridership by 29.8%.

All four Amtrak Virginia corridors saw increases year-over-year with Newport News leading the way with an increase of 36.8% over 2022. The month of August set a record for monthly ridership with 130,998 passengers traveling.

NOTE: CY2023 ridership includes eight daily roundtrips. Ridership for the first half of CY2022 includes just five daily roundtrips as three were added in July 2022 – one to Roanoke and one to Norfolk. The third, to Newport News, was the resumption of service cancelled due to the pandemic.

“Virginians continue to tell us that they want passenger rail to lighten the load on the state’s highways and to provide them with an alternative to sitting in traffic,” said DJ Stadtler, Executive Director of VPRA. “And, we are listening. With recent grant funding and the selection of construction partners, the team at VPRA is pushing our Transforming Rail in Virginia initiative to the next level to provide additional passenger rail service in the Commonwealth as soon as possible.”

A national model for the expansion of state-supported passenger rail service, VPRA has purchased railroad right-of-way and is building infrastructure through its Transforming Rail in Virginia (TRV) initiative.

Last fall VPRA was awarded two grants to fully fund projects in Northern Virginia. The Franconia-Springfield Bypass received a $100 million CRISI grant from the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA). VPRA was also awarded a $729 million grant through the FRA’s Federal-State Partnership for Intercity Passenger Rail Program for the completion of Phase 2 of the TRV initiative. These investments will aid VPRA in completing the final design and construction of Long Bridge and all Phase 2 projects, which will relieve rail congestion that affects service throughout the Commonwealth and along the East Coast.

Currently, Amtrak Virginia offers three daily roundtrips between Norfolk and Washington, DC, two daily roundtrips between both Roanoke and Washington, and Newport News and Washington, and one daily roundtrip between Richmond and the nation’s capital. Completion of TRV’s Phase 2 projects will allow for three new roundtrips. That will be in addition to the current eight roundtrips and the two that are scheduled to launch upon completion of Phase 1 projects in 2026 for a total of 13 daily roundtrips by 2030.

About Virginia Passenger Rail Authority

The Virginia Passenger Rail Authority was established in 2020 to promote, sustain, and expand the availability of passenger and commuter rail service in the Commonwealth. VPRA is committed to delivering and expanding its state-supported Amtrak Virginia passenger rail service. The Commonwealth of Virginia first launched state-supported service in 2009 with one roundtrip between Washington, DC and Lynchburg, VA. Since that time, the Commonwealth’s service has grown to include eight roundtrips daily with stops at 17 stations along four corridors. For more information, please visit vapassengerrailauthority.org.

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Events planned to promote rail safety

RICHMOND -The Virginia Passenger Rail Authority (VPRA) is observing Rail Safety Month in Virginia by promoting the importance of safety in and around trains, stations, and tracks.  A Proclamation from Governor Glenn Youngkin recognizing the month kicks off this year’s public service campaign.  In his proclamation, the Governor references Federal Railroad Administration statistics that rank the Commonwealth of Virginia thirteenth in highway-rail grade crossing collisions in the United States.

“As passenger rail continues to grow throughout the Commonwealth, practicing safe behaviors near our tracks and stations and on board our trains is vital to ensuring a safe ride for our passengers and a safe environment for our communities,” said Mike McLaughlin, Chief Operating Officer of VPRA. “Every three hours a person or vehicle is struck by a train in the United States.  Through education about rail safety, we can strive to prevent these kinds of incidents.”

VPRA has a toolkit available for communities to use in their own rail safety education outreach.  The toolkits, available online at vapassengerrailauthority.org/railsafety – include everything from safety tips to sample social media and website messaging to sample school announcements, making the campaign ready for use by employers, schools, clubs, churches, and families.

Operation Lifesaver, Inc., a nationally recognized leader in rail safety education is partnering with VPRA on this effort.  “Virginia Operation Lifesaver is excited to partner again with the Virginia Passenger Rail Authority for Rail Safety Month. Together, we are educating children and their parents about making good decisions around railroad tracks and trains,” said Tracey Lamb, Virginia Operation Lifesaver Coordinator.  “Remember, railroad property is private property. Stay off, stay away and stay safe.”

In addition to the online toolkits, VPRA will be hosting rail safety events around the Commonwealth.  To learn more, join us:

Tuesday, September 19, 10:00am to noon – Ashland

Ashland Amtrak Station – 112 N Railroad Ave, Ashland

Wednesday, September 20, 7:00am to 9:00am – Alexandria

Alexandria Amtrak Station – 110 Callahan Dr, Alexandria

Thursday, September 21, 9:00am – 11:00am – Petersburg

Ettrick Amtrak Station – 3516 South Street, Petersburg

Saturday, September 23 & Sunday, September 24, 10:00am to 2:00pm – Richmond

The Children’s Museum of Richmond (CMoR) – 2626 W Broad St, Richmond

The event at CMoR also includes playtime at the Amtrak Virginia Train Exhibit complete with engineer hats and storytime with Miss Virginia Volunteer 2024 Annie Mowery on Saturday.

“Play is how our youngest citizens learn, including about trains and train safety,” says CMoR’s Executive Director Danielle Ripperton. “We’re thrilled that children visiting our Downtown location experience the playful STEM education learnings at our train exhibit throughout the year. And, we’re most grateful that the Virginia Passenger Rail Authority delivers programming at CMoR during Rail Safety Month to introduce and reinforce the importance of train safety.”

For more information on rail safety, visit

vapassengerrailauthority.org/railsafety for VPRA’s toolkit;

https://oli.org/ for tips on basic track safety; and,

https://www.youtube.com/@FederalRailroadAdministration for videos on rail safety.

About Virginia Passenger Rail Authority

The Virginia Passenger Rail Authority was established in 2020 to promote, sustain, and expand the availability of passenger and commuter rail service in the Commonwealth. VPRA is committed to delivering and expanding its state-supported Amtrak Virginia passenger rail service.  The Commonwealth of Virginia first launched state-supported service in 2009 with one roundtrip between Washington, DC and Lynchburg, VA.  Since that time, the Commonwealth’s service has grown to include eight roundtrips daily with stops at 17 stations along four corridors.  For more information, please visit vapassengerrailauthority.org.

About the Children’s Museum of Richmond

Since 1981, the Children’s Museum has served children and their families by recognizing that children grow and learn through play and has grown over the years in providing resources for the entire family, schools, and partner nonprofit organizations. CMoR now operates two locations in Richmond and Chesterfield dedicated to creating safe, fun, hands-on environments for children to learn, explore, and create memorable experiences. For more information about the Children’s Museum of Richmond, please visit www.cmorva.org.

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Take the train to local fall festivals

RICHMOND — Autumn is one of the most beautiful seasons in Virginia with gorgeous fall foliage, apple picking, and seasonal festivals.  The Virginia Passenger Rail Authority (VPRA) invites you to explore the beauty of the Commonwealth this fall on board Amtrak Virginia.

With service along four corridors – Newport News, Norfolk, Richmond, and Roanoke — Amtrak Virginia offers a comfortable and convenient way to travel to destinations throughout the state as well Washington, DC and points north.

There’s no better way to explore the endless fall activities in Virginia than by train.  Whether you are enjoying the fall foliage in the Blue Ridge Mountains or exploring our nation’s history along the Potomac River, Amtrak Virginia can be a part of your adventure.

Roanoke Corridor 

Along the Roanoke Corridor, Virginians can explore the many sights and events in historic Charlottesville. Carter Mountain Orchard offers apple picking as well as a cidery with beautiful Blue Ridge views. Check out Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello or one of the many local wineries in the region. Use Charlottesville Area Transit to travel around the city.

If college football is on your itinerary, Amtrak Virginia makes stops near more than 20 colleges and universities in the Commonwealth.  While visiting Charlottesville, be sure to see the University of Virginia play or head further south along the Roanoke Corridor to Virginia Tech.  A Thruway bus connection is available between Roanoke and Blacksburg, operated by Valley Metro’s SmartWay to get you there.

Newport News Corridor

Virginia offers many attractions for those interested in history. One of the most famous attractions – Williamsburg –falls along the Newport News Corridor.  Attend a historical reenactment or stay in a historic bed and breakfast for a romantic getaway.

To celebrate the turn in the weather, travel to Newport News for this year’s Fall-O-Ween Festival and use Hampton Roads Transit to get around once you arrive by train.

Norfolk Corridor

Norfolk offers something for everyone with family-friendly, art, and wine festivals planned this fall.  Take the train to Norfolk for any number of fall festivals.  Visit the beautiful Norfolk Botanical Garden which features chrysanthemums this time of year, or the Hermitage Museum & Gardens, known for its 12 acres of gardens, forest, and wetlands.  Norfolk’s local transportation options include a light rail and a ferry.

Norfolk also offers many options for those interested in military history including the National Maritime Center, Nauticus, and the MacArthur Memorial, dedicated to preserving the legacy of Army General Douglas MacArthur.

Richmond Corridor

Amtrak Virginia service to Richmond includes stops at Staples Mill Station and downtown’s Main Street Station.  Just a few steps from Main Street Station, you can get your fright on at the Poe Museum and learn more about the life, poetry, and mysterious death of Edgar Allen Poe.

Also, along Richmond’s corridor, Alexandria hosts its own frightful events with the Ghosts and Graveyards Tour in the city’s historic district.  Near the Amtrak Station on King Street, Alexandria’s DASH bus service offers free rides to local sites around town.

Affordable Fares

To travel the Commonwealth this fall, our Virginia Anytime Fares offer a 15% discount for travel within Virginia and to/from Washington, D.C. From the Amtrak app, use discount code V552. Additional discounts are available for kids, students and small groups. Terms and conditions apply. To learn more or book online, visit Amtrak.com/Virginia.

About Virginia Passenger Rail Authority

The Virginia Passenger Rail Authority was established in 2020 to promote, sustain, and expand the availability of passenger and commuter rail service in the Commonwealth. VPRA is committed to delivering and expanding its state-supported Amtrak Virginia passenger rail service.  The Commonwealth of Virginia first launched state-supported service in 2009 with one roundtrip between Washington, DC and Lynchburg, VA.  Since that time, the Commonwealth’s service has grown to include eight roundtrips daily with stops at 17 stations along four corridors.  For more information, please visit vapassengerrailauthority.org.

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Month of June sets a record for ridership

RICHMOND — The Virginia Passenger Rail Authority (VPRA) announced today that 1.26 million passengers traveled on its Amtrak Virginia service during the state’s fiscal year 2023 (July 1, 2022 – June 30, 2023), setting an all-time record for fiscal year ridership. The total – 1,256,123 – beat the previous record of 894,065 set during fiscal year 2015.

The month of June also set a record for travel during that month with 111,212 passengers. The previous record for June was set last year when 85,533 passengers traveled. All four Amtrak Virginia corridors saw increases year-over-year from June 2022 to June 2023. Overall ridership was up 30% over last June with the Newport News service seeing the greatest increase of 57.4% from June 2022 to June 2023.

June 2023 vs June 2022 Comparison

NOTE:  June 2023 ridership includes eight daily roundtrips, up from just five in June 2022.  Last July three roundtrips were added – one to Roanoke and one to Norfolk.  The third, to Newport News, was the resumption of service cancelled due to the pandemic. 

“These record-setting ridership numbers reflect the need for more investment in passenger rail in the Commonwealth,” said DJ Stadtler, Executive Director of VPRA.  “With planned infrastructure improvements from Northern Virginia into Washington, DC including a new bridge across the Potomac River, new investment will benefit not only Virginians but also, those traveling to and from our nation’s capital and along the east coast.  It’s vital we continue to secure necessary funding for these projects to ensure rail is a viable transportation option in Virginia and beyond.”

VPRA’s Transforming Rail in Virginia (TRV) initiative is a generational investment in rail infrastructure that will build high-performance passenger and commuter rail service in Virginia.  TRV projects will:

• Increase the state-supported Amtrak service between Washington, DC, and Richmond, resulting in near-hourly service along this corridor.
• Increase Amtrak service to Roanoke, Newport News, and Norfolk.
• Extend Amtrak service from Roanoke to the New River Valley (Christiansburg).

These investments will make Amtrak Virginia service an even more practical transportation alternative for thousands of Virginians.

Currently, Amtrak Virginia service offers three daily roundtrips between Norfolk and Washington, DC, two daily between both Roanoke and Washington, and Newport News and Washington, and one daily roundtrip between Richmond and the nation’s capital.  The all-time record for monthly ridership on Amtrak Virginia is August 2022 when 119,280 passengers traveled.

About Virginia Passenger Rail Authority

The Virginia Passenger Rail Authority was established in 2020 to promote, sustain, and expand the availability of passenger and commuter rail service in the Commonwealth. VPRA is committed to delivering and expanding its state-supported Amtrak Virginia passenger rail service.  The Commonwealth of Virginia first launched state-supported service in 2009 with one roundtrip between Washington, DC and Lynchburg, VA.  Since that time, the Commonwealth’s service has grown to include eight roundtrips daily with stops at 17 stations along four corridors.  For more information, please visit vapassengerrailauthority.org.

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The Trains and Tiaras Tour to focus on volunteerism

RICHMOND — Amtrak Virginia is promoting volunteerism and community connection across the Commonwealth through a partnership with the Miss Virginia Volunteer organization and a small-town rail tour featuring 2023 Miss Virginia Volunteer Kate Clatterbuck. The Trains and Tiaras Tour kicks off on Saturday, May 27 at 9:30am with a public event at Kemper Street Station in Lynchburg. The tour will feature Miss Virginia Volunteer visiting local communities to promote volunteerism and empowerment, all while traveling with the ease and comfort of Amtrak Virginia.

During the Trains and Tiaras Tour, Kate will travel on board the state-supported Amtrak Virginia service and will stop in Lynchburg, Culpeper, Manassas, Alexandria, Fredericksburg, Ashland, Richmond, and Newport News – visiting eight communities in five days. While in each community she will participate in a volunteer activity, sample local cuisine, and meet with local leaders interested in community connectedness and volunteerism. From volunteering at an organization supporting local veterans to making dinner for sick children, Kate will roll up her sleeves and dive right in.

“As we commemorate Celebrate Transportation Day in Virginia, we are very happy to have Miss Virginia Volunteer travel the state by rail and enrich the communities Amtrak Virginia serves,” said DJ Stadtler, Executive Director of the Virginia Passenger Rail Authority. “We look forward to having her on board as we both work towards a common goal — to connect the communities of the Commonwealth.”

Amtrak Virginia service began in 2009 with one-roundtrip between Washington, DC and our first tour host, Lynchburg. In 2017 that service was extended to Roanoke, and last summer a second roundtrip was launched on the route. Ridership on the service set a record in April with 107,929 passengers traveling, a 53.2% increase over April 2022. It was the highest ridership seen in April since state-supported service began in 2009. All four Amtrak Virginia corridors saw an increase in ridership year-over-year for the month of April.

The economic impact of the Amtrak Virginia service is seen in the $141,000,000 Amtrak spent on goods and services in the Commonwealth in FY2021. That was in addition to the $90,000,000 in wages earned by Virginians employed by Amtrak.

“The City of Lynchburg is proud to host Kate Clatterbuck to launch the Amtrak Virginia Trains & Tiaras Tour with Miss Virginia Volunteer and the Virginia Passenger Rail Authority,” said Lynchburg Mayor Stephanie T. Reed. “Our beautiful historic train station offers daily Amtrak service, making it easy to travel for both business and leisure. Our Amtrak station supports travel and tourism in the City of Lynchburg, promoting Lynchburg as a dynamic place to live, go to work, attend college.”

While on board the Trains and Tiaras Tour, Miss Virginia Volunteer will enjoy all of the amenities available on Amtrak — free Wi-Fi, the freedom to use phones and electronic devices, Quiet Cars for those who want a library-like environment to work, read or doze, the ability to travel with small pets on many trains, large spacious seats with ample leg room, and no middle seat, not to mention the café car.

“We are delighted Miss Virginia Volunteer is taking Amtrak for a tour through Virginia,” said Jeff Mann, Amtrak Senior Director of State Supported Services. “This journey will highlight how traveling by train allows customers to avoid traffic congestion while safely and reliably connecting with local communities.”

The Miss Virginia Volunteer pageant supports a mission to educate and empower young women across Virginia through workshops, seminars, scholarships, and volunteerism. This year’s Miss Virginia Volunteer, Kate Clatterbuck, hails from Danville and is a 2022 graduate of Roanoke College. She is the founder of “PowHERful Voices Initiative” and the “She. We. Me” program that addresses the gender disparity in Virginia’s History Standards of Learning for K-12 education. Since being crowned in August, Kate has traveled the state, advocating for volunteerism.

“Rail travel has been essential to economic growth since the construction of the Transcontinental railroad in 1845. Today, it’s a convenient, hassle-free, and reliable means of travel in a hectic world,” said Vickie Runk, Executive Director of Miss Virginia Volunteer Organization. “Miss Virginia Volunteer is so happy to be partnering with our friends at Amtrak Virginia. Lynchburg is privileged to have a gorgeous station on Kemper Street, restored in 2002. As owners of a hospitality firm in Central Virginia, as well, we happily provide shuttles to and from the station and encourage our guests to enjoy this nostalgic form of travel.”

Amtrak Virginia worked with the Virginia Tourism Corporation and boots-on-the-ground Destination Marketing Organizations to help create the local itineraries for the Trains and Tiaras Tour, which will introduce Kate to local hot spots and treasures.
“Traveling by train is one of the easiest and most relaxing ways to visit Virginia,” said Rita McClenny, President and CEO of Virginia Tourism Corporation. “Many of the Commonwealth’s most popular destinations are directly accessible by rail, making it a quick and convenient getaway for visitors.”

For more information on booking a trip on Amtrak Virginia, please visit www.amtrak.com/Virginia. Follow Kate’s journey on Instagram @AmtrakVA and Facebook @AmtrakVirginia.

About Virginia Passenger Rail Authority
The Virginia Passenger Rail Authority was established in 2020 to promote, sustain, and expand the availability of passenger and commuter rail service in the Commonwealth. VPRA is committed to delivering and expanding its state-supported Amtrak Virginia passenger rail service. The Commonwealth of Virginia first launched state-supported service in 2009 with one roundtrip between Washington, DC and Lynchburg, VA. Since that time, the Commonwealth’s service has grown to include eight roundtrips daily with stops at 17 stations along four corridors. For more information, please visit vapassengerrailauthority.org.

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Growth of the state-supported service expected to continue through the summer

RICHMOND — Ridership on the Commonwealth’s Amtrak Virginia service set another record in April the Virginia Passenger Rail Authority (VPRA) announced today.  With 107,929 passengers traveling, April 2023 saw a 53.2% increase over April 2022.  It was the highest ridership seen in April since state-supported service began in 2009.  All four Amtrak Virginia corridors saw an increase in ridership year-over-year for the month of April.

April 2023 vs April 2022 Comparison

NOTE:  April 2023 ridership includes eight daily roundtrips, up from just five in April 2022.  Last July three roundtrips were added – one to Roanoke and one to Norfolk, the third, to Newport News, was the resumption of service cancelled due to the pandemic.

“The growth in ridership that we have consistently seen over the past year confirms that rail is a necessary part of the transportation mix in Virginia,” said DJ Stadtler, Executive Director of VPRA. “With the additional roundtrips we launched last summer, we anticipated an increase in ridership, and Virginians have responded in record numbers – proof that the convenience of train travel makes it more attractive than sitting in traffic or flying on a crowded plane.”

Summer Travel 

Start the busy summer travel season with a trip on board Amtrak Virginia.  With service to 17 stations in the Commonwealth and Washington, DC, and special discounts just for Virginians, Amtrak Virginia is the best way to travel this summer.

• Virginia Anytime Fares offer a 15% discount for travel within Virginia and to/from Washington, D.C. From the Amtrak app, use discount code V552.
• Small groups can travel together and save with Share Fares.
• Students between the ages of 17 and 24 can take advantage of the Student Discount. Also available on the Amtrak app with discount code V814.
• Discounts are also available for seniors, veterans and active duty military.
• Terms and conditions apply. To learn more or book online, visit com/Virginia.

About Virginia Passenger Rail Authority

The Virginia Passenger Rail Authority was established in 2020 to promote, sustain, and expand the availability of passenger and commuter rail service in the Commonwealth. VPRA is committed to delivering and expanding its state-supported Amtrak Virginia passenger rail service.  The Commonwealth of Virginia first launched state-supported service in 2009 with one roundtrip between Washington, DC and Lynchburg, VA.  Since that time, the Commonwealth’s service has grown to include eight roundtrips daily with stops at 17 stations along four corridors.  For more information, please visit vapassengerrailauthority.org.

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Amtrak Virginia offers service to colleges and universities

RICHMOND & WASHINGTON, DC — With summer right around the corner, Amtrak and the Virginia Passenger Rail Authority (VPRA) are inviting students and their parents to skip traffic jams and hop on board the train for an adventure to visit colleges and universities located in cities within the Commonwealth and in Washington, D.C.

A comfortable way to visit college towns, Amtrak Virginia travels to more than 20 institutions of higher learning along four corridors – Newport News, Norfolk, Richmond and Roanoke – and customers can continue with a same-seat trip to Washington, D.C., and other cities in the Northeast.

“There’s no better way to travel to our colleges and universities than to skip the car and travel on our state-supported trains,” said DJ Stadtler, Executive Director of VPRA.  “Whether it’s for those early college tours or trips home once a student has enrolled, Amtrak Virginia can be a part of the college experience.”

Amtrak offers easy and convenient travel between city centers, free Wi-Fi, the freedom to use phones and electronic devices (no “airplane mode”), Quiet Cars for those who want a library-like environment to work, read or doze, the ability to travel with small pets on many trains, large spacious seats with ample leg room, and no middle seat.

“Making a college visit and touring the campus are important in a student’s decision to apply to a school,” said Jeff Mann, Amtrak Senior Director of State Supported Services. “We’re happy to aid the process by offering a safe, comfortable and sustainable way to travel to explore these educational opportunities.”

Virginia Anytime Fares offer a 15% discount for travel within Virginia and to/from Washington, D.C. From the Amtrak app, use discount code V552. Additional discounts are available for students and small groups. Terms and conditions apply. To learn more or book online, visit Amtrak.com/Virginia.

About Virginia Passenger Rail Authority

The Virginia Passenger Rail Authority was established in 2020 to promote, sustain, and expand the availability of passenger and commuter rail service in the Commonwealth. VPRA is committed to delivering and expanding its state-supported Amtrak Virginia passenger rail service.  The Commonwealth of Virginia first launched state-supported service in 2009 with one roundtrip between Washington, DC and Lynchburg, VA.  Since that time, the Commonwealth’s service has grown to include eight roundtrips daily with stops at 17 stations along four corridors.  For more information, please visit vapassengerrailauthority.org.

About Amtrak®

For 50 years, Amtrak has connected America and transformed transportation by modernizing train travel and building for the future. Amtrak will continue to play an important role in the national transportation network for the next 50 years and beyond by operating a safe, environmentally efficient and fiscally responsible business by providing travelers with an experience that sets a new standard. Book travel, check train status, access your eTicket and more through the Amtrak app. Learn more at Amtrak.com and connect with us on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn.

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Colleges and Universities near Amtrak Virginia corridors:

The Roanoke service makes stops in these college towns:

Roanoke – Home to Hollins University and Roanoke College

Lynchburg – Home to Liberty University and the University of Lynchburg

Charlottesville – Home to the University of Virginia

On the Newport News service, visit these towns and schools:

Williamsburg – Home to the College of William & Mary

Newport News – Home to Christopher Newport University

Take the Norfolk service to visit:

Petersburg – Home to Virginia State University

Norfolk – Home to Old Dominion University and Norfolk State University

On the Newport News, Norfolk & Richmond services you can travel to:

Fredericksburg – Home to the University of Mary Washington

Ashland – Home to Randolph Macon College

Richmond – Home to Virginia Commonwealth University, University of Richmond, and Virginia Union University

Other Virginia schools that have Amtrak Virginia service nearby include:

George Mason University in Fairfax and Marymount University in Arlington – Take the Newport News, Norfolk or Richmond services to Alexandria and use Metro or a rideshare to travel to both campuses.

Regent University in Virginia Beach and Hampton University in Hampton – Take the Norfolk or Newport News services then transfer to Amtrak’s Thruway Bus Service to Virginia Beach.

Virginia Tech – Take the Roanoke service then transfer to a Thruway bus connection to Virginia Tech and Blacksburg, VA (BLK), operated by Valley Metro’s SmartWay.  Also, with planned future expansion to the New River Valley (Christiansburg), Amtrak Virginia will offer service that includes a stop near Radford and one that is even closer to Virginia Tech.

All four Amtrak Virginia routes make a stop in Washington, DC, home to even more colleges and universities including Howard University, Georgetown University, American University, Gallaudet University, Catholic University and George Washington University.  With service from Virginia up the East Coast, Amtrak Virginia makes taking the train a great way to visit colleges and universities from Washington, DC to points north.

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