(The following story by Kytja Weir appeared on the Washington Examiner website on June 3, 2009.)
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Amtrak said Wednesday it plans to start new daily commuter train service later this year from Richmond and Lynchburg to Washington.
» Richmond to D.C. — December 2009 start: One train will leave Richmond at 7 a.m., stopping in Ashland, Fredericksburg, Quantico, Woodbridge and Alexandria until it ends at L’Enfant Plaza in the District. An afternoon train will make the reverse trip at 3:55 p.m.
» Lynchburg to D.C. — October 2009 start: One train will leave Lynchburg at 7:38 a.m., with stops in Charlottesville, Culpeper, Manassas, Burke Centre, Alexandria and L’Enfant Plaza. The return train leaves D.C. at 4:50 p.m.
» The cost: Fares have not been determined. Virginia is paying the train service $17.2 million over three years.
» The benefit: State officials estimate the services will:
» Remove 1.4 million cars from highways
» Save more than 8.3 million gallons of fuel
» Eliminate 66,000 tons of carbon emissions each year