Rail talk

October 10, 2008 12:17 am

IN TOUGH economic times, the idea of raising taxes should usually be met with catcalls if not tar and feathers. But here's 2 cents' worth of opinion that deserves consideration.

For years, Spotsylvania County has refused to join the Virginia Railway Express partnership that brings commuter rail to the region. Frugal supervisors, concerned about raising revenue to support a service that "only" 800-1,000 county residents use, have put the kibosh on organizers' efforts.

But now, the executive director of the Spotsylvania Technology Center says that bringing VRE to Spotsy is key to the center's success. Bob Duffy said as much to a group gathered at the Fredericksburg Country Club to hear plans for the STC, part of Tricord's Summit Crossing development.

The idea is simple and attractive: The STC hopes to draw companies that can band together to lure lucrative federal contracts to the center. Eventually there may be enough business there for Woodbridge residents to consider commuting to the area, justifying southbound commuter trains or an additional stop by existing Amtrak trains.

But for trains to stop, there must be a station. And VRE will build one, but only if Spotsylvania joins the system. It's time for the county to do just that.

Do the math: Joining VRE would require the county to raise its gas tax 2 percent. By doing so, $4.7 million would flow into county coffers. The VRE would require $1.7 million of that amount; the rest would be available for use on other transportation projects. (That's required by law.) Thus, all Spotsylvanians--not just commuters--could potentially benefit.

Opponents of the VRE have argued that county residents can't afford an additional 2 percent per gallon for fuel. But guess what? Spotsy gas without the VRE add-on isn't any cheaper. In fact, as of this writing, the "pump patrol" prices listed on our sister radio station's Web site, wfls.com, show gas stations in Breezewood and along Route 3 west charging $3.14 per gallon, while gas in VRE partner localities (Fredericksburg and Stafford County) is $3.09. Adding the 2 percent could actually force gas stations to become more competitive.

No one wants to talk about raising taxes at a time like this. But joining VRE is not only the good-neighbor thing to do, it also will reap economic and quality-of-life benefits for Spotsylvanians. All aboard? Yes--even now.