Richmond Council asking Amtrak to add bike service

[PotomacCyclist]

http://www.timesdispatch.com/news/local/city-of-richmond/richmond-council-asking-amtrak-to-add-bike-service/article_cd590126-2f41-55d4-8c52-50db194e297c.html

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‘Last week, the City Council authorized a resolution to officially ask Amtrak to offer roll-on, roll-off bike service on trains coming through Richmond.
In theory, riders would be able to board a train with their bicycle in the D.C. area, get off in Richmond and immediately bike to various attractions, including the planned Virginia Capital Trail that will eventually connect Richmond and Williamsburg.

“There’s this possibility of really tapping into a segment of those who might come but otherwise aren’t coming right now,” said Councilman Parker C. Agelasto, 5th District, who introduced the resolution to request the service.’

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Topic

[elbows]

Could someone articulate the specific arguments behind why it would make sense for Arlington to be encouraged to offer a similar resolution?

[lordofthemark]

@elbows 70272 wrote:

Could someone articulate the specific arguments behind why it would make sense for Arlington to be encouraged to offer a similar resolution?

And would it help if Fairfax County were to offer a similar resolution?

[mattotoole]

lordofthemark: Yes.

elbows: I’ll make sure Champe knows you’re asking. We’ll work on it.

Thanks!

[PotomacCyclist]

I don’t think they are planning to take out seats from cars, are they? I don’t know the details of the D.C. test run earlier this year. Depending on the level of demand, there could be a limited number of bike roll-on trains. That could help to alleviate any concerns about lost seats. I’ve read that California routes already offer this service. That would be a good example for Virginia to study.

There are no Amtrak stations in Arlington, so an Arlington resolution wouldn’t have as much of a direct impact on Amtrak’s bike policy decisions. It can help indirectly, by indicating that Arlington residents would be in favor of bike roll-on service. Arlington has a large, affluent population with easy access to the Amtrak stations at Union Station and in Old Town Alexandria.

It would be the same with Fairfax. Are there any Amtrak stations in Fairfax County?

Resolutions from Arlington and Fairfax would help to indicate that there is political and economic support for the bike roll-on program.

[lordofthemark]

@PotomacCyclist 70276 wrote:

It would be the same with Fairfax. Are there any Amtrak stations in Fairfax County?

Lorton and Burke Center

[culimerc]

I personally an very excited about this program, or the potential for it. Already, I would have 2 trips with at least 4 people each ready to go today if they would open up roll on service between DC<> Pittsburgh and DC <> Richmond. Odds are I would use a route between DC <> Roanoke and or Charlotte as well if it was available.

[Author]

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