RICHMOND, Va. (WTVR) –
Richmond residents can now travel to and from Norfolk via train with Amtrak offering services from its Staples Mill and Petersburg station.
Amtrak officially kicks off the service Wednesday with a train departing Norfolk to Richmond at 4:50 a.m.
"We have to provide options for people to get places," William Pittard, Chief Financial Officer for Virginia's Department of Rail and Public Transportation, said.
Tuesday, Amtrak held a whistlestop ride from DC to Norfolk with stops in Richmond and Petersburg.
"It's great nothing beats train travel - this is a game changer for us," Tony DiFilippo, President of Visit Norfolk, said.
Henrico, Chesterfield, and Richmond officials were aboard the inaugural train ride including Governor Bob McDonnell and Rep. Bobby Scott.
Virginia invested over $100 million dollars to give Norfolk Amtrak service for the first time since 1977.
It is estimated that it will cost one to two million a year to finance the rail project according to the Department of Rail and Public Transportation.
Will you use the service? Comment below!
