Amtrak ridership increases in Richmond, VA

According to the Richmond Times Dispatch, the Virginia Passenger Rail Authority has reported increases in Amtrak ridership over the past three years, largely due to regional route expansion.

This time last year, Amtrak created a direct route from the River City to Washington, D.C., but the busiest of the six state-sponsored rides was Norfolk to Staples Mill Station in Henrico County.

Here are a few cities with direct train access from Richmond stations.

From Main Street Station

• Williamsburg (WBG) | ~1 hr ride | Drops off in the middle of Colonial Williamsburg
• Washington, DC (WAS) | ~3 hr ride | Drops off steps from the U.S. Capitol

From Staples Mill

• Norfolk (NFK) | ~2 hr ride | Drops off by Norfolk State University
• Alexandria (ALX) | ~2 hr ride | Drops off by the Old Town neighborhood