A new study estimates transit generates $1.5 billion in personal income and sales tax revenue in northern Virginia, which includes $828 million in direct impacts and $693 million in indirect and induced impacts. Further, the study estimates $1 billion of the total can be attributed to Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority’s (WMATA) Metrorail system.
The Northern Virginia Transportation Commission’s (NVTC) “The Value of Northern Virginia Transit to the Commonwealth,” builds on the commission’s 2018 study but includes northern Virginia’s bus systems in addition to WMATA’s Metrorail system and Virginia Railway Express.
Northern Virginia accounts for more than 40 percent of the commonwealth’s Gross State Product and one in every three jobs in Virginia is located in the region.
Zooming out to the greater commonwealth, the study determined that every dollar Virginia invests in transit generates an additional $1.60 in statewide revenues that can be spent on other programs.
“NVTC's 'Value of Northern Virginia's Transit Network to the Commonwealth Study' attests to the unparalleled importance of Metro, Virginia Railway Express and our six bus systems to the economic growth and prosperity of all of Virginia. It makes up nearly five percent of general fund revenues, bringing a strong return on investment for all Virginians, no matter where they live," said NVTC Chair Dalia Palchik.
The study found transit saves Virginia commuters $130 million in vehicle operating costs, supports 311,000 jobs, supports 128,000 households and avoids 70,000 metric tons of carbon emissions.
In addition to the value of transit to the region, the study also evaluated the impact of not having transit. Traffic congestion would not just increase without transit but come to a complete standstill. The study estimates daily traffic across the Potomac River Bridges would increase by more than 150,000 vehicles per day. The Memorial, Roosevelt and Wilson bridges connecting northern Virginia to the District of Columbia would each need two additional lanes to accommodate the greater traffic volumes while the 14th Street Bridge would need three additional lanes.
A scenario without transit would also result in the inability to support jobs both within the region and throughout the commonwealth and the inability to support 13 percent of northern Virginia’s housing stock.
“Northern Virginia’s transit network is a vital component of its transportation system, which supports the region’s overall quality of life and economic competitiveness,” the report says.
The full report can be found at NVTC's website.
