WASHINGTON — Sen. Jim Webb, D-Va., and U.S. Rep. Tom Perriello, D-5th, wrote a joint letter to Amtrak this week requesting service assurance and station upgrades for the Danville station.
The letter asks for assurances that a new proposed line that will run between Lynchburg and Washington, D.C., won’t detract from service to and from Danville.
In addition to examining schedules, the senator and congressman urged Amtrak to establish a better physical presence in Danville, notably a Quick-Track automated ticket machine in the station. At the moment, there is no place in the city to purchase tickets or talk to an agent. In addition, they encouraged Amtrak to partner with the city to improve marketing strategies.
In a statement accompanying a copy of the letter, Webb pointed out that Congress passed a “robust five-year Amtrak authorization bill in October.”
“We have made it clear that we would like to see that the Danville community benefit from this renewed investment in passenger rail service,” he wrote.
Perriello linked improving rail service in Danville to broader economic development strategies for the region.
“Part of the economic revival equation for Danville is improved transportation and infrastructure that connects us to high-growth areas to the north and south,” he said in a written statement. “I’m looking forward to working with Amtrak and city officials to make our plan a reality. It’s time to look for game-changers, and increased access is part of that answer.”
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