Roanoke Valley wants passenger rail
The Roanoke Times file photo
The Amtrak Northeast Regional making the last stop on the return trip to Lynchburg.
By Dave Trinkle and Ray Ferris
On Jan. 31, a team from Roanoke traveled to Richmond to discuss the city’s legislative package with members of the General Assembly. While there, we focused on the proposed transportation bill and specifically the inclusion of returning passenger rail service to Roanoke as a high priority for the Roanoke and New River Valley regions.
While the governor’s transportation proposal is not perfect, it is the first real proposal in decades to provide consistent, steady and secure funding for rail, highways, bikeways, sidewalks and transportation infrastructure. The inclusion of a dedicated revenue source for passenger rail not only benefits the Roanoke Valley but service throughout Virginia as the state now needs to fund Amtrak intra-state services. Virginia could soon have Amtrak to all regions, but without a dedicated funding source, passenger rail service will come to an end.
Trinkle and Ferris are members of Roanoke City Council.
February 10, 2013 - 7:35 AM
Should read “Roanoke Valley government wants passenger rail for free.”
Not going to happen. Pony up, buttercup.
“When we speak with citizens and businesses, it is nearly uniform that the return of passenger rail service to the region is of vital importance to our future.”
Please, please, please provide names and times. Seriously.
define “vital”
While it would be nice, even nostalgic, what is the business case for expending so much state funds to provide passenger rail to Roanoke? Roanoke has neither the population density, nor business or tourist interest sufficient to cover the start up costs, let alone the ongoing costs of operating the service. If the business case were there, you’d already see it at the airport and in local construction and business relocation, and you don’t. Sorry, but your premise is that the tail is going to wag the dog. Freight rail bypassing I-81, sure. Passenger rail to Roanoke, sorry, but you’re going to have to show me the money first.
Will this be Amtrak? Another rat hole to pour sugar down.