The Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT) announced October as Passenger Rail Month in Virginia and commemorates 10 years of state-supported passenger rail service, with the inaugural run of the daily Amtrak Northeast Regional service between Lynchburg and Washington, D.C. in 2009.
Since then, DRPT has grown Amtrak’s services in Virginia from one to four routes which includes six daily round-trip trains, with average annual ridership exceeding 850,000.
To kick off the 10th anniversary of Virginia-sponsored passenger rail, DRPT and Amtrak are offering a limited amount of $10 tickets for travel between Oct. 1-10. Over 10,000 tickets have already been booked for the 10-day celebratory deal since the promotion was first announced. One-way tickets can still be purchased until Oct. 10, subject to availability, on any Amtrak Northeast Regional train within Virginia and Washington, D.C. using code V110 at check out.
DRPT and Amtrak partner to provide intercity passenger rail service throughout Virginia. Customers can take advantage of same-seat service on six daily Amtrak Northeast Regional trains to and from 18 stations, including Newport News, Norfolk, Richmond, Lynchburg and Roanoke, connecting to Washington, D.C., Baltimore, Philadelphia, New York City and other cities in the Northeast.
Virginia has also financially supported exclusive discounts on Amtrak travel throughout Virginia and Washington, D.C., introducing the Virginia Anytime Fare (15 percent off) and the Virginia Student Fare (25 percent off for ages 13-25 with valid student ID). In-state travelers can also enjoy other select discounts supported by DRPT, including ShareFares, which allow travelers a savings of up to 45 percent on tickets when traveling with up to five companions, and the Saturday BOGO Sale, which offers customers one free adult ticket with the purchase of one adult ticket for Saturday travel on the Amtrak Northeast Regional service.
