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The leaves are falling, the air is crisp, and The Loop has landed in your inbox with a cozy recap of all the exciting things that happened at DRPT this fall.
Welcome to The Loop, and thanks for hopping on board. In this edition, we’re diving into tours, conferences, celebrations, and a little friendly competition. So, grab a warm drink, settle in, and catch up on what we’ve been up to.
ART Shirlington Facility Tour
Tiffany Dubinsky and Jen Monaco joined the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission (NVTC) for a tour of Arlington Transit’s Shirlington Facility, where they learned more about the agency’s transition to zero-emission buses. The group got an inside look at operations, charging infrastructure, and how ART is leading the way in cleaner, greener transit across Northern Virginia.
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DRPT at the Flying Squirrel's Game
They say diamonds are a squirrel’s best friend! DRPT staff came together to cheer on the Richmond Flying Squirrels during one of the final games ever played at The Diamond. The evening was filled with laughter, fireworks, and nostalgia as staff, friends, and family gathered to celebrate the end of an era and wish the beloved ballpark a fond farewell.
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Fall All-Hands Meeting
Staff from both the Richmond and NOVA offices gathered for the quarterly All-Hands meeting, where collaboration and creativity were the themes of the day. Attendees were challenged to think outside the box and work together by building with Legos. It was truly a hands-on experience, hands down one of the best meetings yet, and thankfully, nothing got out of hand.
Virginia Department of the Blind and Visually Impaired Presentation
Grant Sparks and Jess Maffey gave a presentation to about 25 students at the Virginia Department of the Blind and Visually Impaired on the topic of accessibility in public transportation. The group, which relies heavily on transit in daily life, learned more about options such as the Virginia Breeze and human services transportation. Everyone left with new knowledge and some DRPT swag to top it off.
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N&W 611 Back on Track
The Norfolk & Western Class J No. 611 steam locomotive, affectionately known as The Queen of Steam, made its grand return for a series of fall excursions. Taylor Holden, Linda Balderson, and Evan Price joined the celebration in Goshen as the 611 officially got back on track. Considered one of the finest steam locomotives ever built, the 611 ran for five consecutive weekends in partnership with the Virginia Scenic Railway.
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VRRA Fall Meeting
DRPT’s Rail Division led a workshop at the Virginia Railroad Association’s Fall Meeting in Williamsburg, highlighting ongoing rail initiatives and upcoming priorities across the Commonwealth. The session sparked valuable discussion among rail industry partners and reinforced DRPT’s commitment to keeping Virginia on track.
Governor's Transportation Conference 2025
DRPT staff attended the 2025 Governor’s Transportation Conference in Richmond, joining professionals from across Virginia to discuss innovation, sustainability, and the future of mobility. From keynote speakers to breakout sessions and networking opportunities, the event was a chance to share DRPT’s accomplishments and strengthen partnerships that keep our state moving forward.
State of Transit Event
Andy Wright, Avery Daugherty, Aaron Clark, and Jordan Chapman represented DRPT at the State of Transit event in Hampton Roads. The program brought together regional leaders to explore transit growth, challenges, and opportunities in one of Virginia’s busiest corridors. The team connected with partners, shared insights, and celebrated the continued investment in improving transit access across the region.
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DRPT Halloween Party 2025
Spirits were high at DRPT’s annual Halloween celebration. From creative costumes and festive decorations to candy, games, and plenty of laughter, it was a day full of fun and camaraderie. Whether you came for the sweets or the competition, this year’s celebration was a real treat.
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Manassas Park VRE Garage Ribbon Cutting
DRPT staff joined the Virginia Railway Express for the ribbon-cutting ceremony of the new Manassas Park Station Parking Garage on October 22. The 740-space facility is designed to improve access for commuters and support the city’s broader redevelopment plans. With 540 spaces dedicated to VRE riders and 200 for city personnel, the garage is a major step toward better connectivity and convenience for the community.
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