Face it, VRE just makes sense for Spotsy

June 26, 2008 12:15 am

The opposition by some members of the Spotsylvania County Board of Supervisors to expanding VRE to their county is unfortunate ["Spotsy supervisors try to line up board support for VRE," June 16].

Commuter rail would provide an alternative for those who want to avoid driving on congested highways, and is a cost-efficient way to travel during these times of high gas prices.

Additionally, passenger rail is one of the most energy-efficient, environmentally friendly, and safest forms of transportation.

There is also a misconception that those who use commuter rail are using it only to commute to high-salary jobs. The VRE carries a cross-section of the community, including military personnel, college students, blue- and white-collar workers, and tourists visiting Washington.

There is also the complaint that only 874 riders from Spotsylvania County use the VRE.

If a VRE station were built in Spotsylvania, it would attract more riders because it would be more convenient to access.

I urge the Spotsylvania supervisors to look at other commuter rail systems around the country so they can see the benefit this type of transportation would offer.

Wayne W. Rose

Colonial Beach