Amtrak’s 3rd daily Norfolk-DC train to begin this year

A long-awaited $3.7 billion deal that will boost train and bus service across Virginia — including a third daily train between Norfolk and Washington — is finally a done deal. The new route serving Norfolk should start this year.

And Newport News, which has two daily trains, will get a third in 2026.

Virginia’s agreement with three rail companies — CSX, Amtrak and Virginia Railway Express — will kick off construction across the state. Over the next 10 years, the state intends to double Virginia-supported Amtrak trains providing nearly hourly service and build the foundation for a highspeed rail corridor along the Southeast.

“We have an unprecedented opportunity to build a 21st-century rail system in Virginia and along the entire East Coast,” Gov. Ralph Northam said in a statement announcing the deal. “This historic initiative will help get people and goods where they need to go more efficiently, reduce congestion and pollution, and create a more inclusive economy.”

U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg joined Northam in Alexandria’s Amtrak station Tuesday to commemorate the partnership, touting the American Rescue Plan recently passed by Congress and signed into law by President Joe Biden. The plan includes $1.7 billion to get Amtrak employees furloughed due to the pandemic back to work, restore daily long-distance service and help states cover lost revenue in state-supported routes.

There already is an early morning train and a mid-morning train leaving Norfolk. The third is expected to depart midday. The trains from Washington to Norfolk leave at 2:30 and 5:50 p.m. It wasn’t clear when the third will depart.

Amtrak’s thru-way bus service, which has stops in Virginia Beach, Norfolk and Newport News, also will have more frequent trips under the deal.

“Amtrak is thrilled to be supporting this game-changing rail investment program as an investor and partner,” Amtrak CEO Bill Flynn said in the governor’s announcement. “Virginia is a model for the nation in recognizing the role passenger rail plays in connecting people and economies.”

State transportation officials say Amtrak ridership has grown over the years. About 971,000 people rode the train in Virginia in 2019.

As part of the deal, the state is also buying about 350 miles of railroad rightof-way and 225 miles of track, which paves the way for future expansion of train routes.