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Commuters leave the VRE train at the Fredericksburg Train Station in February. |
THE SPOTSYLVANIA
C500's support is based on four key factors:
VRE membership will mean additional transportation funding for Spotsylvania--an estimated $1.5 million-$2 million annually after membership costs.
For example, from 2001 through 2008, VRE membership generated nearly $25 million for transportation projects in Fredericksburg and Stafford County. That was revenue left over after paying VRE obligations. During that same period, Spotsylvania received zero dollars from VRE membership.
VDOT budget cuts mean local funding for road and transportation projects will become even more critical. By FY2011, the county's transportation fund--revenues from decal fees and proffers--will be fully obligated and depleted. That means phase II bond projects and other improvements cannot begin.
We are already paying the equivalent of the 2 percent gas tax, so membership will not affect local gas prices.
By state mandate, each VRE member jurisdiction pays an annual VRE subsidy out of revenues from a 2 percent gas surcharge. Money left over is available to the jurisdiction to use for local transportation projects.
It can be difficult to accept that a 2 percent surcharge would have negligible impact on our gas prices. But an objective and extensive region-wide gas price comparison with VRE members Fredericksburg and Stafford strongly supports this conclusion. A summary is available at the C500 Web site, committee500.org.
The bottom line is that prices are actually the same or lower at many stations in Fredericksburg and Stafford; the 2 percent VRE surcharge is built into the market-based prices we're paying now in Spotsylvania.
Every time we buy gas in Fredericksburg (for example, Central Park) and Stafford, we pay 2 percent to help fund their local transportation projects. Every time we buy gas in Spotsylvania, that 2 percent is added profit to the fossil fuel industry.
While we'd prefer that people buy their fuel locally, no one is forced to buy gas in Spotsylvania; our stations will still have to compete regionally.
Also, revenue will be generated by all who buy gas in Spotsylvania, not just county residents. Estimates are that nonresidents purchase 40 percent or more of the gasoline sold in the county.
A solid majority of our citizens support joining VRE.
County residents supported the 2005 transportation bond referendum (which clearly included funding for
A VRE station here has substantial high-end economic development potential.
Membership in VRE will help Spotsylvania attract high-tech businesses, especially those that need convenient transit access to Northern Virginia and Washington. This will mean additional better paying career opportunities here, with many other Spotsylvania residents and businesses benefiting through increased purchases, jobs, home values, and tax revenue.
Fredericksburg Regional Chamber of Commerce members responding to a survey last year overwhelmingly supported Spotsylvania membership.
Finally, the George Washington Regional Commission's 20-year transportation plan defines nearly $2 billion in needed roadway improvements. Even if the plan could be fully funded, the projected level of service grade is still a "D" or "F".
The experts agree we cannot solve our transportation problems that way. If we want the roads to work better, we must reduce the number of vehicles using them. The VRE commuter rail is one important component to accomplishing that while making transit more convenient and available.
It's time for Spotsylvania to step up and get on board!
Fred Messing of Spotsylvania County is chairman of the Committee of 500. John LeFebre, also of Spotsylvania County, is a member of the board of that organization.
