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Date published: 4/1/2009
This is in response to D.J. McGuire's op-ed ["VRE is all wrong for Spotsylvania," March 22]. Mr. McGuire comments about meeting with vanpool fleet operators at a Republican Party meeting and being swayed by their argument that they would be paying a gas tax to support their competition. As a Republican, former elected and party official, VRE rider, vanpool rider, and taxpayer, I think I can offer insight, as well. One purpose of government is to do those things that we cannot reasonably do ourselves. This includes defense, education, and transportation. My taxes paid for the poor planning and weak execution of highway improvements in the D.C. corridor when I rode the VRE. My taxes would pay for the VRE while I vanpool. The question is not which is better; the point Mr. McGuire misses in appealing to the tax-hater in all of us is that we need them all! Vanpools are good only for commuters going from one location to one location. My vanpool leaves Ukrop's and arrives at the Navy Yard. The VRE leaves Fredericksburg and takes folks to Quantico, Springfield, L'Enfant Plaza, and Union Station. Anyone with a ticket I'd never want to give up my vanpool; it cuts two hours a day off my commute. But I also rode VRE and understand that side; I don't want those thousand daily riders clogging I-95. We should want more folks riding trains, and more trains to better serve the public. We need leaders who want solutions for everyone, not just those who want to fear-monger and complain without seeing the big picture. Mr. McGuire has no solution; he just wants to take sides. Mr. Skinner has been frustrated in his first term, but he has been trying to look out for everyone, and he will have my vote in the coming election. Michael Gorman Spotsylvania
Spotsy does not need VRE stations, but the 2% tax should apply to them. There are more VRE users from Spotsy than Fredericksburg. More stops in Spotsy would only make a horribly-slow VRE a lot slower. Agree with Larryg, and glad he opposes the Spotsy stops too.
larryg is on target! No one can doubt the need for public transportation. The biggest (not only) VRE has is its demand that it always be first in line at the public trough - permanently! No matter its cost, no matter its unrelaibility or how badly its managed. VRE demands that any other solution, no matter how much better it might be, may only have its leftovers - if any. Far from enhancing regional transportation options, its unending and ever-increasing demands will stifle real solutions.
and yet.. we have the cheerleaders apparently either
ignorant or irresponsible about this aspect of a contract
with VRE.
What we have is basically an all or nothing offer for a
permanent cost + contract that the VRE NOW folks seem to
think is just fine.
I'd like to see those guys run for BOS on such a platform for
other services also.
folks.. the problem we have is that we see the promise of a
better transportation system but we are overlooking serious
flaws.
that's why I would favor a 2% tax that provides equal
subsidies to vanpools, buses, VRE and FRED so that the
promise of service for all is actually fulfilled.
The problem we have is that the 2% prioritizes VRE over
the other modes and can use up the entire amount since it
has first dibs at it.
Further.. if the BOS signed up with say a supplier of
computers with a permanent contract - a "forever" contract
that was also Cost + so the price of the computers was non-
negotiable - ya'll would vote them out.
About the most expensive way for anyone to get to DC. VRE riders don't pay even half the cost and those monthly tickets are expensive and taxpayers pay for it in that 2% gas tax. Many of these VRE commuters are further subsidized by Metrocheck. Again paid for by taxpayers. So many VRE commuters don't even pay the charged fare. As to Lexus, check VRE's web site and see what VRE says. VRE is a Lexus ride for commuters who themselves pay little of the real cost. Good deal for them. Not for taxpayers.
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