21 replies to this topic

[Sloan]

BEDFORD -
A Bedford Amtrak train stop will not be considered and determined unnecessary to incorporate from the service between Lynchburg and Roanoke.

http://www.wsls.com/...-not-considered

AFIK, there is no public transit in Bedford or Bedford County. If the town wants to press for an Amtrak connection, it seems to me the best approach would be to arrange interurban service with Valley Metro, Roanoke's public transit operator. That way townspeople can have a car-free way to get to "the big city" and connect with Amtrak without going through the hassle of asking Amtrak for Thruway service.

Sloan

[EdFindlay]

AFIK, there is no public transit in Bedford or Bedford County. If the town wants to press for an Amtrak connection, it seems to me the best approach would be to arrange interurban service with Valley Metro, Roanoke's public transit operator. That way townspeople can have a car-free way to get to "the big city" and connect with Amtrak without going through the hassle of asking Amtrak for Thruway service.

Sloan

They stopped in the town before when the line last had service in the 70s, the size of the population should not be a problem because Amtrak stops at even smaller towns with smaller ridership than Bedford would achieve.

They should just come out and say the truth: it's all about who would actually build the station, because if someone else foots the bill for the station Amtrak shouldn't have a problem spending a couple of minutes at most stopping to pick up and discharge passengers especially when it's the state who is paying for the service on the line.

Edited by EdFindlay, 21 February 2014 - 01:29 PM.

[KevinKorell]

News-Advance, Lynchburg, VA 6/13/15:

Plan to bring Amtrak station to Bedford takes another step forward

 

The Bedford-Franklin Regional Rail Initiative has gained new momentum in its efforts to bring an Amtrak rail station to the town of Bedford.

The latest

[KevinKorell]

WDBJ-TV, Channel 7 in Lynchburg, VA, 4/12/16:
 

Study shows Bedford Amtrak stop would attract 26,000 additional riders

Advocates who want a passenger train station in Bedford have new numbers to support their argument.

A new study performed by the engineering firm Wendel shows a train stop in Bedford would attract around 26,000 additional riders to Amtrak. That figure is beyond the number of passengers who would board at Kemper Street Station in Lynchburg and the future train station in Roanoke.

Update

[Sloan]

 

 

Bedford moving forward with Amtrak stop

 

BEDFORD (WSLS 10) – The town of Bedford is moving forward with plans to build an Amtrak stop even though the commonwealth hasn’t approved the project.

http://wsls.com/2016...th-amtrak-stop/

[KevinKorell]

WSLS-TV, Channel 10 in Roanoke, VA, 8/29/16:

New survey show 76 percent “very likely” to use Bedford Amtrak service

Bedford town leaders are trying to gauge how much the community would use Amtrak.

Although Virginia has not yet approved the project, people said they are excited about the idea.

Update

[KevinKorell]

WDBJ-TV, Channel 7 in Roanoke, VA, 10/26/17:

 

 

​

Bedford regional leaders move full steam ahead on proposed train stop

 

The Bedford community isn't giving up their fight to bring a passenger rail stop to their town.

 

Update

[KevinKorell]

Roanoke Star Editorial, 10/27/17:

 

 

​

Bedford Rail Stop Makes Sense for Everyone

 

The establishment of a small passenger rail stop in the Town of Bedford will complement the new Roanoke station by generating additional ridership with a very small investment. It should be the next priority.

 

 

Commentary

[KevinKorell]

WDBJ-TV, Channel 7 in Roanoke, VA, 11/9/17:

 

 

Supporters of Bedford Amtrak stop hold rail-side rally

 

People who want a passenger train station in Bedford made their voices heard with an event Thursday morning.

 

The Bedford/Franklin Regional Rail Initiative organized a rail-side rally called "Next Stop Bedford."

 

 

Update

[KevinKorell]

WSLS-TV, Channel 10 in Roanoke, VA, 11/9/17:

 

 

 

Dozens rally to bring Amtrak to Bedford

 

 

Dozens of people took part in a rally Thursday morning in an effort to bring Amtrak to Bedford.

 

More