Amtrak praises Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell's call for service expansion

Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell's (R) extending Amtrak service in the southwest part of his state has at least one fan: Amtrak CEO Joe Boardman.

McDonnell has called for extending Amtrak service from Lynchburg, Va., to Roanoke, Va., as part of its plan to overall the state's transportation system.

Boardman said McDonnell's proposal offers "a true vision and tangible support of intercity passenger rail as a relief to the growing problems of highway congestion.

"Passenger rail is a vital alternative in Virginia's overall transportation solution and will be a contributor to Virginia’s future economic success," Boardman said in a statement. 

Republicans in Congress have tried repeatedly to eliminate Amtrak's federal funding, arguing that the about $1 billion that is given to the company every year is a waste of taxpayer money. 

Boardman said an extension of Amtrak service between Lynchburg and Roanoke, which are about 60 miles apart, would be the fourth extension of Amtrak's service in Virginia during McDonnell's tenure in office.

Amtrak began running trains last year to Newport News, Va., providing direct rail access between the state's Atlantic Coast and Washington, D.C., and other cities in Amtrak's popular northeastern corridor. 

Other aspects of McDonnell's transportation plan, most notably his call to eliminate the state of Virginia's gas tax, have received much more lukewarm reactions from transportation supporters.

Taxes on gasoline purchases are traditionally used by both the federal and state governments to fund transportation projects.

McDonnell, who was considered a potential vice presidential nominee in 2012, has proposed eliminating Virginia's 17.5-cents-per-gallon gas tax and replacing it with a 0.8 sales tax increase.

McDonnell has said his transportation plan will generate $3.1 billion for for road and transit projects in Virginia over the next five years.

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