NEWPORT NEWS — The City of Newport News celebrated the opening of its new Transportation Center Thursday, Sept. 19 with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.
According to the Virginia Passenger Rail Authority, the Newport News Transportation Center opened on Aug. 22 for customers traveling on Amtrak Virginia and the regional bus system.
Amtrak, the city of Newport News, Virginia Passenger Rail Authority (VPRA), CSX, Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT), and Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) partnered on the project.
The new facility offers train service, providing two daily trips between Newport News and Richmond, Alexandria, Washington, D.C., and cities in the Northeast. It also serves as a transfer point for Amtrak Thruway Bus Service extending travel to Norfolk and Virginia Beach, and for Hampton Roads Transit, taxi service and shuttles to and from the Newport News/Williamsburg Airport, according to the city.
“This Transportation Hub is not just about convenience, it is a boost for our economy by attracting more visitors, and positioning Newport News as a key transportation destination,” said Mayor Phillip Jones. “As we open this exciting new chapter in our city’s transportation story, I look forward to all the benefits this center will bring to our residents and travelers alike.”
The $53.3 million center, located at 500-B Bland Blvd., features a spacious parking lot and bus area, fully illuminated and accessible pathways leading to the building, according to the city. All entrances are equipped with automatic doors, and there is a 3,450-square-foot waiting area with vending machines, restrooms and ticket counter.
Train status and boarding information is accessible through the advanced Passenger Information Display System (PIDS), which communicates train status, origin and destination stations and other information. The bright, new LCD displays are easier to read and will synchronize audio and visual messaging in the station, the city said.
To celebrate the opening of the transportation center, Amtrak has announced a limited-time offer for travel between Washington, D.C. and Newport News for trips between Sept. 19 and Nov. 3. The offers at least 25% off Flex Fare prices in Coach Class for travel between the two cities, and includes Alexandria, Quantico, Fredericksburg, Ashland, Richmond, and Williamsburg. The sale is valid for sales booked through Sept. 21, the city said.
For additional information, visit amtrak.com or nnva.gov.
