Web Site ContentsMake your voice heard in Washington VARP testifies for Rail Authority Bill Crowded Trains Require Courtesy Charlotte Light Rail Offers Pattern for Virginia Long-distance coach travel tips Express buses connect Richmond and VRE The Virginia Light Rail Symposium presentations are on the Virginians for High Speed Rail website Let Modern Intermodal Trains Remove Truck Traffic from Station reports
Current rail passenger service in the Virginias
Rail Service Amtrak eastern train status map Advocates Alliance for Community Choice in Transportation Dulles Corridor Rail Association Virginians for High Speed Rail All Kinds of Rail Links
Steve Dunham
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Virginia Association of Railway Patrons Modern Transportation for the Virginias
Cardinal campaign The Virginia Association of Railway Patrons wants Congress to direct Amtrak to run the Cardinal train daily and wants Congress to make sure that Amtrak has the operating funds, locomotives, and passenger cars to do so. Learn how you can help make this happen. See our Cardinal campaign page.
VARP director George Billmyer died in March 2009 after many years of service to the organization and the public. Known for his outspoken, direct comments on railroad operations, he was named a friend of the Virginia Railway Express in Commuter Weekly. He was a veteran railroader, having worked for the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy, the Missouri Pacific, and the New York Central. He also was a VRE commuter for many years from his home in Annandale to his job with the Navy in Arlington and later Washington. He was a veteran of active-duty naval service too. George was not only a VRE rider, he was one of VREs fathers. In the 1980s, he began working to get commuter rail service in northern Virginia. His efforts contributed to the public advocacy, legislation, funding, planning, and more. As a commuter and VARP director, and even after his retirement, he regularly attended VRE Operations Board meetings, speaking up for the needs of passengers. He also met numerous times with VRE officials. George gave many years of service to VARP as a member of the board, not only helping to guide the organization but pitching in with work such as staffing displays at public events. In early 2009, owing to his health, he decided to retire from the board, and at its George also was a director of the National Association of Railroad Passengers and gave many years of service to that organization. Express buses connect Richmond and VRE On May 21, Greater Richmond Transit buses began serving the Virginia Railway Express station in Fredericksburg, bringing commuters from the Richmond area and Carmel Church, as well as carrying riders from Fredericksburg, Spotsylvania, and Carmel Church to Richmond. The morning buses arrive in time for the 5:45 and 6:35 VRE trains to Washington, and in the evening they meet the trains that arrive in Fredericksburg at 5:37 and 6:46. The fare is $6 one way. Exact fare is required. Information about the Fredericksburg-Richmond commuter bus (GRTC About our organization Welcome to VARPs station on the World Wide Web. The Virginia Association of Railway Patrons is a nonprofit, tax-exempt membership organization working to promote expanded rail service in Virginia and West Virginia. Donations are tax-deductible. VARPs mission and membership information A Future for Rail Passenger Service in the Virginias VARP membership application form
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