Concerns Regarding Virginia Regional Transit Funding Raised
Town Council candidate Ann Robinson submitted an open letter to the Town Council regarding VRT funding should Loudoun Opt-In for Rail.
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Honorable Mayor and Council Members:
In spite of last Friday evening's dramatic thunderstorm, several neighbors showed up at my door to passionately discuss bus service in Leesburg.
Slowly the word is getting around to even those who do not have Internet, that Virginia Regional Transit funding is at risk if an Opt-In for Rail decision is affirmed next week by the County Board of Supervisors. (I have not heard any hopeful indication, as yet, that a Metro Transit system which includes comprehensive bus service would be a part of the overall Metro project.)
And, I am writing to urge you:
1) to forcefully lobby the Board of Supervisors to continue its past financial support to VRT, and
2) to include in Leesburg's future budget deliberations adequate funds to both maintain and expand bus service for Leesburg residents, including evenings and weekend service.
That way the transportation needs of working families who have to minimize their car expenses, as well as the needs of the elderly who have to give up their cars (and you know we want them to at the appropriate time for safety's sake), and of the disabled -- like a young woman I know who has Downs Syndrome, but is employed as a valued worker in child care, or the deaf mother who works in a coffee shop but can't afford a car... or the home care companion to a woman in Leesburg who has no legs and lives alone... can be met -- along with the needs of commuters.
A robust, fully serviceable bus system that connects to where ever the final Metro station is finally chosen to be built will be the link to providing a transportation system that can alleviate congestion on Leesburg's roads. (If the final BOS decision is to Opt-out, then this system could be connected to the station ending in Fairfax, giving Leesburg and Loudoun a first-class transportation network at low cost.)
Sincerely,
Ann Robinson
Melvin Summers
10:09 am on Thursday, June 28, 2012
There should be a county wide sales tax to help pay for Metro. People would hardly notice the money leaving their pockets and Metro would have a steady stream of income.
Yes to Metro
Victoria Glenn
10:13 pm on Thursday, June 28, 2012
I agree Melvin,people would hardly notice a few extra cents here and there in sales tax. Also isn't our total contribution to the project about 5% of the total? Seems like a small price to pay for something that will benefit the region for generations to come.
abroderick
11:24 pm on Thursday, June 28, 2012
I've taken the buses around here and they are not the answer. They are consistently late and unreliable. If you have to transfer buses you can wait over an hour just to transfer once. I would hate to think of any of those people you mentioned losing their livelihood because they couldn't dependably get around. Bring us the Metro. It is reliable and it is feasible. If you can pay for buses you can pay for Metro.
Ann
9:45 am on Friday, June 29, 2012
The buses are needed in addition to Metro - not instead of, abroderick. And you are right, the routes and schedules need to be vastly improved and enhanced, so they are actually serviceable to a large population for a variety of needs. But a person who lives on the south side of Leesburg and works at the Outlet Mall won't be going to work on Metro, even when it is built. We must remember to fund these intracounty connections as well, and not let the VRT funding be lost in the shuffle.
abroderick
11:36 pm on Saturday, June 30, 2012
I simply meant that pouring more money into the buses wouldn't be the solution to mass transit. I completely agree that our existing bus program could use a tune up though. The bus system is not a replacement for Metro. We need the Metro, but by all means fix the buses too.
Melvin Summers
9:18 pm on Sunday, July 1, 2012
Loudoun needs both Metro and busses. Metro will bring with it better busses. I look forward to them voting...
Yes to Metro!!!
The Baconator
1:48 pm on Friday, June 29, 2012
The county needs both the Metro and better buses. The Metro will bring better buses. It is a win win for bus lovers like bob and for train lovers like, well the rest of us.
Melvin Summers
10:17 pm on Saturday, June 30, 2012
Well it looks like they have worked out how they will pay for the Metro and it leaves the home owners not owing extra taxes. I think all signs are starting to point to Metro to Ashburn.
Yes to Metro
Victoria Glenn
11:45 pm on Saturday, June 30, 2012
Its one thing to need a bus for a short trip..another entirely to be stuck on one in traffic for your whole commute. Buses and rail together will give us the needed public transportation system we are lacking here in Loudoun.
The Baconator
9:56 am on Sunday, July 1, 2012
Yes it would suck to try to take a bus all the way into DC. There is no way buses are going to keep up with the kind of demand that this area has and they really won't make the traffic on the roads much better. In order to make an impact on traffic, we need the Metro and Buses.
Luisa
9:52 pm on Monday, July 2, 2012
I agree buses, in addition to the metro, would be a viable solution. Buses can not do it alone that is for sure. They don't have near the seating capacity or space for that matter that metro does. Plus, they are just adding to the overall congestion of the already congested roads. But, yes, buses AND metro together (with some improvements as mentioned) would be great. Before we talk buses though, let's say YES TO METRO in Loudoun County!!
The Baconator
10:47 am on Tuesday, July 3, 2012
IT PASSED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
YESSSSSS TOOOOOOO METROOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!