Urging increased investment in public transportation, the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission (NVTC) on Sept. 8, told members of the regional Congressional delegation that any long-term surface transportation bill must provide dedicated and sustainable funding for transit programs.
“With Labor Day behind us and the nation’s workforce back on the job en masse, transit’s ability to get employees to jobs and create economic opportunity becomes more apparent,” said David F. Snyder, NVTC’s chairman. “Transit’s value extends beyond the convenience of commuting to the economic vitality of our communities, regions and states.”
In addition to providing sustainable, long-term funding for transportation programs, final legislation should increase the apportionment for high-intensity motor bus (HIM) state of good repair from 2.85 percent to 3.8 percent, according to Snyder. It also should allow buses running on HOT (high-occupancy toll) lanes to be included in calculations for HIM apportionments under the state-of-good-repair program.
NVTC supports many provisions of the DRIVE (Developing a Reliable and Innovative Vision for the Economy) Act (S. 1647). DRIVE, as passed by the U.S. Senate in July, will increase investment in both the bus program and Capital Investment Grants for new and small starts. With respect to rail, DRIVE will enhance the availability of financing and beef up grant programs for commuter rail, retain the commitment to state-of-good-repair programs for heavy and commuter rail, and extend the deadline for full implementation of positive train control to 2018.
“Long-term transportation investments provide the underpinning for a healthy and dynamic economy. Multi-year legislation that increases funding annually and addresses NVTC’s priorities will allow for economic growth throughout Northern Virginia and the Commonwealth,” said Snyder. “We must maintain and modernize our transportation systems, otherwise we risk undermining our future prosperity.”
