The Community Building is two blocks from the railroad and bus station. The meeting is free and open to the public. The schedule will accommodate those traveling on Amtrak trains 66 and 67.
Presentations
- Thelma Drake of the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation
- John Edwards, General Director of Passenger Policy at Norfolk Southern
- Randy Wright, President of the Hampton Roads Public Transportation Alliance
The annual business meeting and a board meeting will follow the last presentation.
To vote, you must be a paid-up member. To run for the board of directors, send a candidacy statement to VARP chairman Steve Dunham, 8600 South Fork Ct., Fredericksburg, VA 22407; SGDunham@Verizon.net.
Lunch
On Saturday, we will have lunches catered by Aromas for $15 each.
- Turkey and cheddar on sourdough bread
- Virginia ham and Swiss on rye bread
- Curried chicken salad sandwich on fruit-and-nut bread
- Garden veggies in wheat wrap
The lunches include chips, a cookie, and a Pepsi soft drink.
To sign up for the lunch, mail your menu choice with your check or money order for $15 per meal, payable to VARP, to
- Mr. Herbert Richwine
- VARP Treasurer
- 4206 Tweedsmuir Rd.
- Moseley, VA 23120
Please have your payment to us by Feb. 25. Be sure to include your name, address, phone number, and email address. Thank you.
Printable form for lunch.
Traveling to the Meeting
The Saturday meeting is scheduled to permit travel by Amtrak trains 66 and 67. The Tide tour will begin following the arrival of the Amtrak thruway connecting bus in Norfolk on Friday afternoon, March 2 (scheduled for 12:50 p.m). Call 800-USA-RAIL for Amtrak reservations or visit Amtrak’s website.
Tide Tour March 2
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| Photo by Dick Peacock |
VARP is arranging a tour of the Tide, Norfolk’s new light rail system, for Friday afternoon, March 2, the day before the meeting. To sign up for the tour, email Mike Testerman. But if you want to ride the chartered bus to Williamsburg in the evening, see Returning to Williamsburg, below.
The Tide tour will begin at the Harbor Park light rail station at 1:30, following the arrival of the Amtrak thruway bus at the Cedar Grove transfer center in Norfolk (scheduled for 12:50 pm). A Hampton Roads Transit van will shuttle folks from the Amtrak bus stop to the tour start.
We will tour the maintenance shops and ride the entire 7.4-mile line, followed by a guided tour of Norfolk’s new Harbor Park train station site. Amanda Lutke of the Norfolk City Planning Department will provide commentary during the light rail system ride, describing the transit-oriented development opportunities at each Tide station.
Attendees driving to this event can use the free park & ride lot adjacent to the Harbor Park station, 150 Park Ave., Norfolk. Eat lunch before arriving (those traveling on Amtrak might want to purchase lunch on board and eat it on the train or on the bus to Norfolk).
Fare is $1.50 per ride or $3.50 for a Day Pass. Seniors and disabled ride for half fare. Ticket machines take credit cards, debit cards, and cash.
Returning to Williamsburg
For those who come to Norfolk Friday on train 67 and Thruway bus, VARP’s chartered bus will pick up riders at the Monticello stop around 7 pm, after dinner on your own at nearby MacArthur Center, and drop them off at their hotels in Williamsburg. The advance registration deadline for the chartered bus is February 17. There are 32 seats available on a first-come, first-served basis. VARP will return checks if we do not have a minimum of 22 filled seats. No other refunds are permitted.
To register for the bus back to Williamsburg, send your name, address, phone number, email address, and the name of your hotel (if any), along with a check or money order for $20 made out to VARP, to
- Mr. Herbert Richwine
- VARP Treasurer
- 4206 Tweedsmuir Rd.
- Moseley, VA 23120
Printable form for bus reservation.
Questions? email Michael Testerman.
Tour attendees are encouraged to make individual lodging arrangements in Williamsburg. The Blue Line of Williamsburg Area Transit serves the Amtrak Station and many lodging options along Richmond Road.
The Days Inn at 902 Richmond Road is very close to our Saturday meeting venue. It is offering rooms in the range of $40 to $50 with free continental breakfast and free WiFi. The direct Williamsburg phone number is (757) 229-5060. Tell them you’re with the VARP group. Pack light for the tour: those traveling on Amtrak and back to Williamsburg Friday night will have their bags with them on the tour and all afternoon.
