Update on Status of Proposed TransDominion Express (TDX) Passenger Rail Service

摘要

The Virginia General Assembly's House Budget Bill for the 20062008 biennium directed the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT) to update the status of a proposed passenger rail service, called the TransDominion Express (TDX), between Bristol, Richmond, and Washington, DC. Although TDX has been studied five times prior to this report during the past 10 years, ridership estimates have varied substantially, from as small as 26,000 to as large as 500,000. Findings from this study are that the capital cost for infrastructure to support full service between Bristol, Richmond, and Washington, DC, is estimated at approximately $206 million (in 2010 dollars). The annual operating cost for full service is estimated at $19 million (in 2010 dollars), presuming two round-trip visits to all stations. The annual ridership is estimated at 14,000 to 58,000. Based on the estimated ridership levels, annual revenue is projected to be between $0.4 million and $1.8 million in 2010 dollars. Based on the estimated annual operating cost of $19 million, an annual subsidy of between $17.2 million and $18.6 million will be required.