Monday night, February 1, I traveled to Richmond to attend the legislative reception for the Virginia Transit Association. This year I serve as Vice-President of this organization that promotes public transportation across the Commonwealth.
Besides talking with legislators from around the state, I had several good conversations with transportation officials including the new Director of the Department of Rail and Public Transportation Thelma Drake and the new Secretary of Transportation Sean Connaughton.
While acknowledging budget difficulties, both were supportive of public transportation and were aware that Virginia could not build enough roads to solve all it’s transportation needs. We also discussed Blacksburg Transit and the scope of services offered by BT in the New River Valley and our cooperation with the Roanoke Valley.
I also talked with DRPT officials about train service and how do we connect Roanoke/Blacksburg with the Lynchburg Amtrak line that has been so successful.
While all these conversations were short and general, they are a continuation of more detailed conversations we have had in the past and good contacts with the new administration. They will be continued with the Executive branch and the Legislative.
Here is a link for more information about the Virginia Transit Association.
Here is a link to an article that talks about the success of the Lynchburg-Washington Amtrak line.
Supportive is good, Mayor Rordam; did you find that these officials were committed to improving public transportation options in SWVA? A commitment to making that happen and connecting us to points west and east of us is something I hope to see from that Department.
That was the focus of our conversations. Only time will tell what the extent their buy in is. I plan to discuss in greater detail with Senator John Edwards next week when I see him. He has been very good about pushing mass transportation, particularly rail, in our region.
Thank you – I hope that’s something that will continue to be pushed and not just tossed about.
It is too bad the Board of Supervisors decided to waste our limited tax dollars on a worthless court suit instead of working on some positive outcomes with Norfolk Southern over the intermodal terminal. They could have teamed up with John Edwards to push for an earlier extension of rail passenger service to Radford. This could help reduce traffic on I-81 by offering our college students and Hokie fans an alternative to driving to and from home and games. At the least, there might have been some support or funding right now for the bus service to Lynchburg (at least for the good PR to be gained). Instead we have an adversarial relationship between the county government and a profitable corporation that could bring more jobs to our area.
There is no public transportation option now from Blacksburg to Lynchburg? Leaving my car in an insecure lot there for several days is not something I would like doing. Perhaps someone in Lynchburg could see secured parking for train passengers as a business opportunity.
There are people in Roanoke (and I think state Sen. Edwards is in that crowd) who are looking at running a bus between Roanoke and Lynchburg to meet the train in the morning and evening. This would be much like the SmartWay bus we have between Blacksburg and Roanoke. It would need a funding source, though.
There is a long-term parking lot across the street from Kemper Street station (the Amtrak station) in Lynchburg, but it is just an open parking lot. I have a contact there I can ask about its security and if there are other options or plans afoot.
Bruce, that is my understanding also. I hope to discuss with Senator Edwards this week if possible. From what I am told, it all comes down to $$$. Hopefully, the two valleys can work together like we have with the Smartway.
Would you happen to know if there is secure, long term parking at the station in Lynchburg? I would really like to avoid driving up 81 when visiting my relatives in northern Va.
Tom, I don’t know off hand. I will do a little checking and get back to you.
Tom, This is what I received from someone in Lynchburg:
“Amtrak does not have a secure parking area. I’ve got the directions from MapQuest. The entrance is right across from U-Haul on the Park Avenue side. You can’t miss it, it has an arch entrance that says “Kemper Street Station”.”
I guess this didn’t take the first time.
I checked with the Lynchburg Amtrak ticket agent, who is active on some of the rail enthusiast lists I am on. I asked about the long-term parking lot at the Kemper St. station, if there was a charge, and about security. He replied, “It’s free and I am unaware of any reports of vandalism. The city has some decks downtown, but I do not know if there is any long-term parking in those.”
Lynchburg does have a bus system (Greater Lynchburg Transit), so I guess a check of the city web site about the downtown parking and bus routes would be in order.
It would seem to me that the cost of creating and maintaining new roads would exceed the cost of a public-private partnership establishing light rail that serves points east and west, and allows connections at larger regional hubs. Much of the infrastructure is already in place …
Mayor Rordam, it would be great for students wanting to attend Virginia Tech if there was a train or bus from Lynchburg to Blackburg, or at least till Roanoke and then one could take the Smartway. I plan to attend VT from the fall and hope something works out soon.
I agree. We are exploring options. However, with the current budget shortfalls, it may be hard but it is certainly something we want to continue to explore. By the way, welcome to VT and Blacksburg. I hope you enjoy your time here – fun and learning!