We Need More Transit Connections Between Charlottesville and Richmond

My trip to North Carolina last fall went pretty smoothly for a student with no car. The journey there took about half a day, and I had a blast visiting a friend at Chapel Hill. I was most impressed by the frequent Greyhounds that traveled from Richmond to Raleigh, with tickets as cheap as $35.

The problem was that I needed to get from Charlottesville to Richmond to catch the bus. The only public transit between these two cities requires a stop in Washington D.C. or Fredericksburg, then transferring to travel south. This makes the commute take a full day, so the only other way a car-less student can travel is by booking a hundred-dollar Uber direct to Richmond. In brief, my one-hour ride cost three times more than my six-hour Greyhound, due to the lack of trains or buses going from Charlottesville to Richmond.

As a New Yorker, I have to admit my background, as an extensive transportation system is established back home. Charlottesville, as a small town, is already quite impressive for what routes they serve. The airport supports direct flights to several major cities across the East Coast. Charlottesville Area Transportation (CAT) has several trolley lines stopping around UVA, Barracks, and the Downtown Mall. As of now, the most popular route for buses and trains in Charlottesville stations is up north, stopping in D.C., Philadelphia, and New York. The Greyhound also operates a direct route to Nashville. But why are there no trips to Richmond, the closest large city to Charlottesville?

The South works differently from the North. Charlottesville is located in a low population density, car-centric region of the U.S. It has been this way for decades. When towns experience suburban sprawl, supporting a transportation system is a fruitless labor. A large majority of people already own cars, and significant funding in less populated areas is difficult to obtain.

The only time there is service between Charlottesville and Richmond is when the Airbus, a coach bus service that runs during UVA school breaks, is in operation. The bus makes trips to Dulles Airport and Richmond International Airport to drop off students for flights back home. However, this temporary service is only available for UVA students, not the general public.

Many people from across these two cities would benefit from a frequent transit service traveling from east to west. UVA first years aren’t allowed to bring their cars, and out-of-staters who fly home don’t have access to them for their entire four years. For both Charlottesville and Richmond, the amount of people between the ages 18 and 65 make up over 50% of both populations. Adults between the ages of 25 and 54 use public transit the most. Furthermore, Richmond has less traffic than other cities across the United States. Shorter driving times mean public transit vehicles can spend less time in jams, encouraging commuters to ride.

Establishing a connection not only benefits Virginia commuters but also establishes Charlottesville as a city worthy of a visit. Besides the University of Virginia, the historic town boasts a thriving art and film culture, presidential landmarks, and award-winning wine tasting. Additionally, after the City Council passed a zoning ordinance pushing for more affordable housing, Charlottesville is on track to becoming more of a city than a quiet suburban town. Adding more train and bus routes will certainly push that agenda forward.

The two-city connection becomes more and more possible each year. In December 2023, former President Biden announced three $500,000 federal grants as part of Federal Railroad Administration investments. The Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation proposed an east-west bidirectional line operated by Virginia Breeze buses, scheduled to start operating this summer. As this idea comes to life, a car-less student’s dream becomes true.