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Amtrak DC-Lynchburg VA service carries double the projected ridership

Posted by Olog-hai on Thu Dec 17 14:24:47 2009

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Also, fare revenue is 87 percent higher than expected. (Hmm; maybe they ought to get back with the program vis-ŕ-vis VRE as well.)

Wonder why they say ridership is lower in winter. If there's a lot of winter weather, then "snowbirds" would boost the numbers.

AP via NBC Washington

For Amtrak: Some Good News

D.C.-to-Lynchburg line an early success

By SHARON DONNELL
Updated 1:59 PM EST, Thu, Dec 17, 2009
Amtrak’s new line between Washington and Lynchburg had twice as many passengers as expected in its first month of operation, state officials said.

The D.C. to Lynchburg train began running in October and includes a stop along the way in Charlottesville. The new service is sponsored by the Commonwealth of Virginia as part of a three-year pilot program designed to provide more transportation options for Virginians.

Kevin Page, Director of Rail Transportation for Virginia’s Department of Rail and Public Transportation, told the Commonwealth Transportation Board on Wednesday that passenger fares totaled $414,000 in the first month, 87 percent higher than expected. 8,500 passengers rode the new train in October. Page’s comments were first reported by The News & Advance.

While the first results appear to be promising, the true test may come in the winter, after the line has been in operation for three full months. Train ridership is normally lower in the winter, officials said.


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(873739)

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Re: Amtrak DC-Lynchburg VA service carries double the projected ridership

Posted by italianstallion on Thu Dec 17 14:31:27 2009, in response to Amtrak DC-Lynchburg VA service carries double the projected ridership, posted by Olog-hai on Thu Dec 17 14:24:47 2009.

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A local train from DC to Lynchburg would have few snowbirds.

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(873750)

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Re: Amtrak DC-Lynchburg VA service carries double the projected ridership

Posted by Dave on Thu Dec 17 14:43:28 2009, in response to Re: Amtrak DC-Lynchburg VA service carries double the projected ridership, posted by italianstallion on Thu Dec 17 14:31:27 2009.

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Less tourists, too.

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(873753)

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Re: Amtrak DC-Lynchburg VA service carries double the projected ridership

Posted by Olog-hai on Thu Dec 17 15:03:04 2009, in response to Re: Amtrak DC-Lynchburg VA service carries double the projected ridership, posted by Dave on Thu Dec 17 14:43:28 2009.

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Less tourists than what?

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(873853)

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Re: Amtrak DC-Lynchburg VA service carries double the projected ridership

Posted by ctrabs74 on Thu Dec 17 17:59:31 2009, in response to Amtrak DC-Lynchburg VA service carries double the projected ridership, posted by Olog-hai on Thu Dec 17 14:24:47 2009.

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It'd be interesting to see how much of that ridership is college related:

The Lynchburg train is particularly attractive for college students attending the many colleges and universities along the I-81/Route 29 corridors for their trips to and from school during breaks. With a one-seat ride as far north as Boston, it’s the easy way to travel. Virginia stations include Lynchburg, Charlottesville, Culpeper, Manassas and Alexandria, with connecting service for VRE passengers at Burke Centre.

The University of Virginia (Charlottesville) is along this line, so I'd expect that to be a major traffic generator.

With that said, I wonder if this has anything to do with the strong ridership as well:

Traveling by train between Virginia and points north is even more affordable this winter as Amtrak has extended its fare promotion on the Northeast Regional service – including the new Lynchburg route to and from the Northeast Corridor -- through March 31, 2010.

Passengers who book now through March 17 for travel through March 31, 2010 may take advantage of a fare promotion which offers up to 25 percent off the lowest published coach fare on Northeast Regional service between Lynchburg, Washington, D.C., New York, and Boston.

This discount comes at a time when most people are seeking more cost effective, simpler travel options during the busy holiday travel season, and the new Lynchburg train offers a great opportunity to let someone else do the driving. The average trip from Lynchburg to Washington, DC is faster by train than by car.


Source for above quotes: Virginia Dept. of Rail and Public Transportation web site

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(873879)

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Re: Amtrak DC-Lynchburg VA service carries double the projected ridership

Posted by Joe V on Thu Dec 17 19:06:03 2009, in response to Amtrak DC-Lynchburg VA service carries double the projected ridership, posted by Olog-hai on Thu Dec 17 14:24:47 2009.

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Crunching the numbers, it did not require anywhere near its budgeted operating subsidy and the farebox recovery ratio is 90%, excellent by any standard. They should be able to fund another frequency.

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(873887)

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Re: Amtrak DC-Lynchburg VA service carries double the projected ridership

Posted by AEM-7AC #901 on Thu Dec 17 19:24:28 2009, in response to Re: Amtrak DC-Lynchburg VA service carries double the projected ridership, posted by ctrabs74 on Thu Dec 17 17:59:31 2009.

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The average trip from Lynchburg to Washington, DC is faster by train than by car.

That's because Lynchburg is on US 29, an improved divided, yet to controlled access highway. Besides, I-95 to I-64 to US 29 isn't exactly the most direct routing...

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(874073)

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Re: Amtrak DC-Lynchburg VA service carries double the projected ridership

Posted by Olog-hai on Fri Dec 18 02:14:12 2009, in response to Re: Amtrak DC-Lynchburg VA service carries double the projected ridership, posted by Joe V on Thu Dec 17 19:06:03 2009.

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At least one other, yes. Looks very promising.

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(874235)

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Re: Amtrak DC-Lynchburg VA service carries double the projected ridership

Posted by NIMBYkiller on Fri Dec 18 13:07:24 2009, in response to Re: Amtrak DC-Lynchburg VA service carries double the projected ridership, posted by ctrabs74 on Thu Dec 17 17:59:31 2009.

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I was going to say the same thing. The reason for the dip in ridership on this line in the winter may be related to schools being out of session.

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