Passenger Rail Service in Roanoke: The Time is Now
July 17, 2008
I think this is one everybody can agree on: bring back passenger rail service to Roanoke! I and many others have had this desire when throwing our hats into the political scene. Once in that scene, however, the picture gets pretty confusing and daunting. This is not just a simple matter. Many before have tried to conquer this task which includes bringing groups with different goals together and lots of money. The Roanoke Valley-Alleghany Regional Commission has worked on this issue as have various economic partnerships. Many politicians have been involved. The most recent attempts- over the last many years- have resulted in the Trans Dominion Express coalition. There have been many surveys (all remarkably supportive- especially recent ones of potential riders), economic and cost analysis reports.
If there ever was a time to strongly revisit this issue- it is now! With gas prices soaring, inflation and other economic woes, a growing elderly demographic with their own transportation needs- not to mention green initiatives/needs and our little traffic problem on I-81- something must be done.
The City of Lynchburg appears to have had success in this area. They have had passenger rail service to DC but now, mostly due to the efforts of grassroot organizations, appear to be slated for increased schedules. It has been said that the same cost to improve their schedule could get Roanoke a start- an intermittent service to Lynchburg and on to DC. I am in favor of at least getting that start. The Trans Dominion Express is a great concept and probably was ahead of it’s time. However starting grand in this economy and with all the trouble Virginia is having with transportation funding, small steps may be the wisest move and may help show where the needs are. Given the economy, and not to mention business travel and how they are looking for fiscally responsible alternatives, a link from Roanoke to Lynchburg and beyond may be a fantastic start. The economic models produced by the Trans Dominion Express group and the Roanoke Valley-Alleghany Regional Commission are all mostly positive for rail service out of Roanoke and most do not incorporate business travel into their computations.
In addition to a strong grassroot effort in Lynchburg, another reason they appear to be successful is that passenger rail service has been a high priority of their Chamber of Commerce. I believe Roanoke needs a similar strategy and I challenge our Chamber, the newly developed Economic Partnership and any other new or old re-energized grass roots effort to partner with the City, elected leaders and the Regional Commission to begin a hard lobbying effort for a “start” at passenger rail service in Roanoke.
The Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transport is starting public hearings on its Statewide Rail Plan this month. They really really need to hear from Roanoke citizens and elected leaders alike. The public hearing in our area is on July 24th at the Salem Civic Center at 6pm. You can contact Jennifer Pickett at 1-804-786-7432 or Jennifer.Pickett@DRPT.Virginia.gov for more information. I would be more than happy in my role on Council and on the Regional Commission to help coordinate the efforts of any groups willing to be active on this issue and I am certainly aware that there are people and groups out there that know more than I - I am willing to learn and listen to those groups to better push this effort.
YOU KNOW HOW TO CONTACT ME!
I absolutely agree and have been pushing for this for a while now. In order for people to enjoy all that Roanoke has to offer we have to make it easier for them to get here, and for us to get out. A new art museum, an amphitheatre, a revitalized downtown, etc. will not enjoy their full potential without being able to attract more visitors. If I were downtown Roanoke, Chamber of Commerce, etc. I would definitely be pushing for this, and in fact would come up with creative ways to tie-in our rail heritage by offering packages which would include excursions to the museums. As recent reports have pointed to possible problems with our airport we have to make sure we’re not in danger of not only not attracting visitors and businesses, but also losing what we already have.
Bothy my family and my wife’s live in NY and we have contant difficulty trying to find ways to trvael there that do not involve the high prices are driving or flying. Please work to bring rail service here to Roanoke…a railroad town without passenger trains is shameful (especially as both Charlottesville and Lynchburg have rail service!).
I agree passenger rail is a neglected economic need for the Roanoke area.
In Europe high speed trains can travel at over 200mph. Since The Old Dominion continues to relish the past the future is already here and other states and nations are light years ahead! If a high speed train could connect Roanoke to Dulles Airport one could travel from here in just one hour. Can anyone imagine the economic advantages to Roanoke & SW VA to have a connection to DC?
By the way, if one wishes to travel to DC by rail and can’t wait until Amtrak puts on the 8am train, drive to Charlottesville and take the Amtrak bus to DC, it leaves around 9am and arrives DC by noon. The return trip leaves DC around 5pm for C’ville. The parking at Charlottesville train station is convenient and safe. Its in downtown and within walking distance of shops, restaurants.
Agreed Ed- The link to Charlottesville or Lynchburg should not be that hard. When the City of Roanoke renovated the historic passenger station/Link museum in downtown Roanoke they went ahead and prepared the bottom floor to be a passenger rail station. We are ready to go and fortunately now appears to be a good time to push this issue: Amtrak is expanding it’s short track options and the economy is pushing more funds into alternative travel. Let’s all keep at this issue.
Dave
The transformation of downtown Roanoke from a decaying city core to a vibrant business and tourism center is working. It is not an easy process and I know there is much opposition by the railroad and state for passenger rail here. In these bleak economic times tourism may save the day. If we continue to wait until Richmond or Norfolk Southern does something I’m afraid we are in for a long wait. I understand there is a fundraiser going on for the old Virginian Railway station. Why can’t our local rail enthusiasts get excited about the real thing like actually refurbishing old rail cars for the short ride to Lynchburg? The politics of this issue is just plain dumb, in my opinion.