NVTC Chair Makes Economic Case for Transit

Citing the strong relationship between high-quality transit and the economic vitality of Northern Virginia, David F. Snyder, NVTC chair and vice mayor for the city of Falls Church, will call for increased investment in Northern Virginia’s regional transit network when he appears before the Commonwealth Transportation Board (CTB) on April 28. Snyder’s testimony will highlight areas of progress and promise and lay the groundwork for the CTB’s continued support.

“Northern Virginia’s transit network is the product of a strong regional partnership and a commitment from the Commonwealth to provide a range of transportation options to a rapidly growing and increasingly diverse populace,” he said. “When you consider the growing demand for transit and the record of NVTC jurisdictions in providing quality transit service, it is clear that the region merits your continued support. The economic health of the Commonwealth depends on it.”

Snyder’s message will be reinforced by a report to be released on May 8, 2015 as part of NVTC’s forum, Transit Means Business! The report, done by researchers at George Mason University, will detail why a strong network of transit service is key to the region’s ability to compete globally for new businesses and new jobs.

Northern Virginians rely on transit to get to work and travel throughout the National Capital Region. A strong transit system is key to our ability – at both the regional and state levels – to compete for and retain businesses. Recently, here and across the country, companies such as Marriot, State Farm, Kaiser Permanente, and Amazon have announced that access to transit is a necessity when considering where to locate their businesses.

The FY2016-2021 SYIP totals $12.9 billion, with $9.5 billion earmarked for highway construction. The plan allocates $3.4 billion for rail and public transportation. NVTC’s transit systems will receive almost $210 million in FY16, which includes capital and operating assistance for bus local transit systems and WMATA. There is another $22.8 million in FY16 for capital and operating assistance for VRE. VRE also will receive Rail Enhancement Funds totaling $15.4 million over the next several years.

Many of the projects outlined in the SYIP are critical to Northern Virginia’s ability to expand transit capacity and service in the region, such as new buses for the cities of Alexandria and Fairfax, and Arlington County; several bus and rail-related facilities in Alexandria, and Fairfax and Arlington counties; new VRE rail cars and funding for VRE’s track leases; as well as operating and capital assistance for WMATA. The SYIP allocates funding for essential highway, bridge, rail and other transportation projects for the next six fiscal years, beginning July 1.