On the Go

Lynchburg started out as a bustling, 18th-century river-city “hub” and has been rollin’ ever since. When the topic turns to transportation, there’s always something new and exciting in the works. For example, since its inaugural run in October 2009, Amtrak’s daily round-trip service between Lynchburg, Washington, D.C., and other cities along the Northeast Corridor hasm exceeded all expectations. Is the TransDominion Express (TDX) next?

Several years ago, Lynchburg’s historic 1912 Kemper Street train station underwent a major renovation, transforming the site into a destination for history buffs as well as travelers. Amtrak’s Crescent passes through the station twice a day en route to New York and New Orleans. And since its debut in 2009, the Northeast Regional has been transporting passengers to D.C., Philly, New York, and Boston. The turnout for the added service stunned even the most optimistic rail fans.

The success of the Northeast Regional brings plans for the TransDominion Express(TDX) another step closer to reality. The ambitious TDX passenger-rail project would make Lynchburg the natural hub for fast, deluxe service between Washington D.C. and the Virginia cities of Bristol and Richmond. The Lynchburg Regional Chamber of Commerce, along with other high-speed passenger-rail and freight-rail proponents in Virginia, is an active supporter of the TDX. The total track-system upgrade is projected to cost less than a single clover leaf or ten miles of straight highway.

Projects Underway
The Midtown Connector project will dramatically improve access from the Lynchburg Expressway (Route 29) to central-city locations such as the Centra medical complex and the Kemper Street train station. In addition to widening roadways, plans call for bicycle paths, sidewalks, street lighting, and medians where possible.

Public Transit
The Greater Lynchburg Transit Company offers transportation throughout Lynchburg and into Madison Heights, which is part of neighboring Amherst County. Greyhound Bus Lines provides city-tocity passenger service and PackageXpress from its Kemper Street Station terminal in Lynchburg.

Air Travel
The Lynchburg Regional Airport’s affiliation with US Airways Express means easy connections and ticketing no matter where you’re headed.

Lynchburg Regional Airport is also home to two fixed-base operations: Falwell Aviation and Virginia Aviation. Both FBOs offer services to  passengers and private pilots, including aircraft maintenance, flight training, charter flights, and aircraft and fuel sales.

Rail Travel
From the Big Apple to the Big Easy, the Amtrak Southern Crescent stops twice a day at the historic Kemper Street Station to provide passengers transportation between New York City and New Orleans. The Northeast Regional offers convenient and affordable downtown-to-downtown service up and down the Northeast Corridor, with daily roundtrip service to Lynchburg.

Limo Services & Car Rentals
Central Virginia offers a full array of limousine, taxi, and rental-car services to help you get around town, as well as to and from the airport and train station. Providers include: K & J Limousine Services, Amcar Rental and Enterprise Rent-A-Car.