Amtrak service to Norfolk to begin

NORFOLK, Va. (AP/WAVY) - Amtrak is bringing passenger rail service to Norfolk in December.

Gov. Bob McDonnell said Thursday that passengers will be able to travel by train to Washington, D.C., Baltimore, New York City and as far north as Boston.

The same-seat service begins Dec. 12 and includes a stop at the Petersburg Station in Ettrick. Tickets can be purchased now .

McDonnell says the round-trip train will bring intercity passenger rail service to Norfolk for the first time since 1977.

Norfolk Mayor Paul D. Fraim says the service gives the public, business and military travelers in the region another transportation option.

Prices are as follows:  

• Washington, DC - $38  
• Philadelphia - $51
• New York - $63
• Boston - $73

"I've taken Amtrak before from Newport News and its not quite as convenient to go over there so I think that would be excellent if there was a point in Norfolk where we could take Amtrak," prospective passenger Naomi Rhodes told WAVY.com.

Thelma Drake, secretary of the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation said this service comes 10 months ahead of schedule thanks to the work of Amtrak, CSX, Norfolk Southern and the City of Norfolk.  She said she's excited the Norfolk service will give people more options to avoid traffic delays.

Norfolk is building a $3 million terminal that's set for completion in the spring. Currently, train passengers from the Southside catch Amtrak trains at a Newport News terminal.