Narrator: I know construction usually sounds like a headache, but this is the kind of progress we actually want. Virginia is expanding rail capacity between here and DC to make train travel more frequent and reliable than ever. But, Amtrak Virginia had to scale down service to build for the future. To bridge the gap, Amtrak Virginia just launched a new express bus service. We're taking direct shots from Hampton Roads to Washington DC, Union Station. No extra stops, no driving stress, and it utilizes the express lanes through the busiest corridors of Interstate 64 and 95. The Amtrak connection bus is helping keep passengers moving while rail improvements are underway. Come with me as I show you exactly what the Amtrak connection bus experience is like from start to finish. Booking the Amtrak connection bus is the same as booking a train on amtrak.com/virginia. You put in your starting city, Virginia Beach, Norfolk, or Newport News, and your destination, and Amtrak automatically offers the bus connection as an additional option for your trip. And if you're wondering about luggage, it's easy. This is a premium motorcoach, so your larger bags go underneath, and you keep your personal items with you, no stress. When you arrive at the station, this is the part people usually worry about. Where do you go? Instead of heading to the train platform, you'll follow the Amtrak bus signs or just ask an Amtrak employee. Once you see the bus, you'll know. It's branded with the Amtrak logo, and it looks very different from a city bus. The driver checks your ticket just like a train conductor would, and they help you load your luggage underneath. Quick scan, step on, and pick your seat. There's free Wi-Fi, power outlets, and the seats are comfortable, so you can actually sleep, read, work, scroll, or throw on a movie instead of stressing behind the wheel. Just make sure you bring headphones. And this is the part that may surprise you. The bus uses the express lanes in Hampton Roads and Northern Virginia, so you're avoiding a lot of traffic. It's a smart way to keep trips fast and reliable while we transform rail in Virginia. If you were driving to DC yourself, you'd definitely pay more in express tolls, gas, and parking than you would for this ticket. And here, there's zero hassle. And just like that, we're in Washington DC, dropped off right at Union Station. We were actually scheduled to arrive around 10:45 a.m., but we pulled in just before 9:50, almost an hour early. That extra time makes such a difference. You arrive calmer, more relaxed, and actually ready to start your day. If you're connecting to another Amtrak train, this is where it gets really easy. You just head inside Union Station, walk down the escalator, check the departure board, and find your train gate. No shuttles, no extra tickets, no confusion. Everything is already built into your Amtrak booking, so you're just moving from one part of the journey to the next. And instead of dealing with traffic, parking, or timing it perfectly, you're just walking to your seat. Now we're on the train, Wi-Fi on, laptop out, and already getting work done. This is what makes the Amtrak connection bus with express service to DC such a smart option. The bus gets you here efficiently, and the train picks up right where it leaves off. If you're traveling from the Hampton Roads region to DC or other Northern destinations like Philadelphia, Boston, New York City, and more, this is absolutely worth considering, especially knowing it's helping expand the rail network for the future.