Amtrak's New Northeast Train Route Lets Commuters Avoid Traffic From Richmond To DC

RICHMOND, VA — Amtrak on Monday officially expanded rail service from Richmond to the Northeast corridor on Monday. The new service will allow commuters in the Richmond area to get to their morning meetings in Washington, D.C., or be in New York City by lunchtime

The Amtrak Northeast Regional Route 51 is offering the early morning service from the Main Street Station in Richmond. Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam celebrated the milestone Monday morning from the tracks at Main Street Station as the first train departed at 5:35 a.m.

“If you've ever been stuck on I-95, you know we can't pave our way out of congestion,” Northam said. “This new train offers quick, reliable service from the Commonwealth's capital to Washington, D.C., connecting our two cities and making it easier for thousands of Virginians to get to work in the morning.”

The newly expanded service has stops at a variety of destinations in the Northeast corridor. Travelers can choose from three daily departure times, two in the morning and one in the evening.

“Originating more trains from Main Street Station will connect our vibrant capital city to Washington D.C. and population centers along the East Coast,” Virginia Secretary of Transportation Shannon Valentine said in a statement.

The Virginia Passenger Rail Authority supports four Northeast Regional routes. Service originates in Newport News, Norfolk, Richmond and Roanoke. These routes allow passengers to travel to cities along the East Coast without needing to change trains.

Main Street Station is a National Historic Landmark located in Richmond’s Shockoe Bottom district. It is served by Amtrak, GRTC, RVA Bike Share and Megabus.

Amtrak service was restored to the station in 2003. The train shed opened in 2018 as a 47,000 square foot event space.

Tickets are available for purchase. Amtrak worked with a medical director and partnered with the George Washington University Milken Institute School of Public Health to ensure proper health and safety protocols were implemented.

Transforming Rail in Virginia is a $3.7 billion program to expand and improve passenger, commuter and freight rail in Virginia. It will connect the Northeast and Southeast rail corridors.

In partnership with CSX, Amtrak and VRE, Virginia is constructing a new Long Bridge over the Potomac River dedicated to passenger and commuter rail.

Over the next ten years, these investments will result in nearly hourly Amtrak service between Richmond and Washington. VRE services will increase by 75 percent along the I-95 Corridor and weekend service will be added.

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