Amtrak’s Main Street Station – Richmond, VA
Amtrak and the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation have announced pilot bike service to downtown Richmond’s Main Street Station (RVM).
This is a major announcement for cyclists who may want to spend a weekend visiting the River City or surrounding area with their bike.
This new service is particularly convenient for cyclists in the Northeast who want to ride Virginia Capital Trail from Richmond to Williamsburg. Mountain bikers can also take Amtrak to Richmond to ride the 35 miles of urban single track in the James River Park’s trail system
Main Street Station is also a convenient connection point for cyclists riding the East Coast Greenway, US Bike Routes 76 and 176, US Bike Route 1 and Adventure Cycling’s Atlantic Coast Route.
Riding the Capital Trail
This multiuse trail, traces the colonial history of the United States, passing stately plantations, a winery, the homes of three presidents and Civil War Battlefields. It also connects the three Virginia Capitols – Jamestown, Williamsburg and Richmond.
The Capital Trail is also part of USBR 76 and the East Coast Greenway.
Riders begin their journey on the steps of Main Street Station in downtown Richmond. Spend a full day riding the Capital Trail and grab dinner at one of the many restaurants in Colonial Williamsburg. Amtrak’s Williamsburg station provides a convenient shuttle back to Richmond and points as far north as DC, New York and Boston.
For those who choose to drive to Richmond to start their ride, there’s abundant, cheap, parking at Main Street Station. The trailhead is three city blocks from the station’s front steps.
Total length of the station to station ride (click for a map) is around 70 miles.
For those who want to make this a multi-day trip, overnight accommodations, including camping at Chickahominy River Front Park and several B&Bs are available along the route.
If you’d like a shorter option, contact Capital Trail Shuttle service.
In The Press
- Bikes on train service available from Richmond Main Street Station (WTVR)
- Bring your bike on some Richmond Amtrak trains (WRIC)
- Amtrak, DRPT bring pilot program allowing passengers to bring bikes on trains to Richmond (RVAhub)
Read the Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: May 15, 2018
Department of Rail and Public Transportation
Contact: Kelsey Webb
Email: kelsey.webb@drpt.virginia.gov
(804) 840-0575
Bikes on Trains Now Available at Richmond Main Street Station
~ DRPT and Amtrak Launch Pilot Program Beginning May 18th ~
RICHMOND — The Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT) is pleased to announce that beginning this Friday May 18th, Amtrak will for the first time allow passengers to reserve and board their bicycles at downtown Richmond’s Main Street Station (RVM).
The pilot program will now allow the current bicycle and baggage service between Newport News and Boston on the Amtrak Northeast Regional train to be provided at Main Street Station, offering a new, safe, and direct option to cyclists riding the Virginia Capital Trail between Richmond and Williamsburg (WBG), as well as direct access to the many amenities and attractions near both city centers.
The announcement comes amid national recognition of May as National Bike Month, as well as Virginia’s own celebration of Bike to Work Week May 14th – May 18th, and Bike to Work Day, also on Friday, May 18th.
“The Commonwealth is proud to offer this new service to our passenger rail customers in Virginia,”said DRPT Director Jennifer Mitchell. “Bicycle service at Main Street Station will provide safer and easier access to the Capital Trail and of Virginia’s great cultural and historic attractions. We are confident this pilot program will build off the success of the Capital Trail, which has positively contributed to the local economies along its route.”
In addition to the current bicycle and baggage service on the route, as well as Capital Trail Access, Richmond-Main Street Station also provides direct and convenient access to multi-modal transportation connections in downtown Richmond, including the Greater Richmond Transit Company’s new Bus Rapid Transit system, The Pulse, which begins service June 24th and will also accommodate bikes.
The pilot extension service will not affect current arrival and departure schedules along the route. Space is limited to six bicycles in each direction. Customers must reserve in advance by booking online at https://www.amtrak.com/virginia.
Bicycle reservation fees are $20 in addition to normal ticketed fares. The pilot program is currently limited to travel between Richmond-Main Street station and other staffed Amtrak stations in Virginia along the Newport News to Washington, D.C. state-sponsored corridor. The pilot will conclude October, 2018. DRPT will evaluate its success throughout to determine if year-round operation and connectivity to other stations north of Washington, D.C. is feasible.
Passengers may continue to bring bikes aboard the train at staffed stations between Newport News and Boston, including: Richmond-Staples Mill, Alexandria, and Washington, D.C. The Newport News to Boston Northeast Regional train connects Virginia to and from major northeast destinations like Baltimore, Philadelphia, and New York City, where bicycle and baggage services are also available.
| Richmond-Main Street to Williamsburg | Friday and Saturday | Sunday through Thursday |
| Train 65 departs Richmond Main Street Station at 9:34 A.M. and arrives in Williamsburg at 10:38 A.M. | Train 67 departs Richmond Main Street Station at 10:10 am and arrives in Williamsburg at 11:14 A.M. | |
| Williamsburg to Richmond-Main Street | Daily | |
| Train 66 departs Williamsburg at 5:41 P.M. and arrives at Richmond Main Street Station at 6:30 P.M. | ||
Amtrak can provide the most updated information concerning bike size guidelines, loading and boarding instructions, and fare information. As always, customers can save 25% on passenger fares by booking at least 14 days in advance.
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