Kaine to VDOT: Shut up and sail

by Cortney Langley, reprinted by permission from The Virginia Gazette, originally published Wednesday, May 6, 2009.

The governor instructed VDOT to maintain 24-hour service at the ferries, and for free.
Photo by The Virginia Gazette.

RICHMOND — In a sharp slap, Gov. Tim Kaine ordered VDOT to preserve the Jamestown Ferry while demanding review of the security contract.

“First, we will continue to provide service 24 hours a day,” Kaine wrote in a letter Monday to Del. Bill Barlow (D-64th). “Second, we will not impose a toll for the provision of the service.

“Third, [VDOT] will pursue clarification of security requirements that are costly in service at the Jamestown-Scotland Ferry but have shown to be of limited merit when actually implemented.

“Fourth, [VDOT] will also aggressively pursue federal funding for new ferry equipment.”

His statement checks off nearly every item on the wish list of passengers, boat crews, activists and politicians.

VDOT’s proposal was to save $1.9 million by idling eight hours, cutting the summer fleet by one and reallocating funds for a new ferry.

Barlow wrote to Kaine last month, likening the ferry reductions to a bridge closure since the ferry links the two sides of a primary state highway, Route 31.

Critics countered that VDOT should dump the $1.6 million private security contract as overkill. Ferry security is federally mandated by the Maritime Security Transportation Act but paid for by the state.

Kaine apparently took Transportation Secretary Pierce Homer and Commonwealth Transportation commissioner David Ekern to the woodshed.

“I have made clear to them that the Commonwealth will maintain the Jamestown-Scotland Ferry service,” Kaine wrote.

“I think it’s great that the governor was so responsive to everyone,” said James City county administrator Sandy Wanner, who first floated the idea of jettisoning security to save the 24-hour service.

“A lot of people sent so much information and ideas on how critical this service was, of people going to work and people going for med services,” Wanner added. “This is a critical transportation link.”

Aside from Barlow, other politicians piled on, among them Del. Brenda Pogge (R-96th), Del. Phil Hamilton (R-93rd) and Sen. Tommy Norment (R-3rd).

The Greater Williamsburg Chamber & Tourism Alliance also argued the cuts would hurt tourism and industry here.

“The Alliance, as the representative of local business, appreciates Governor

Kaine’s commitment to maintain the ferry’s free, 24-hour service, which thousands of people involved in our region’s hospitality, tourism and healthcare fields rely on every day,” said president Dick Schreiber. “It is also gratifying to see that collaborative efforts by private organizations and individuals working together with local officials can be effective in influencing public policy.”

The Commonwealth Transportation Board is expected to review VDOT’s plan and Kaine’s short list May 20. Since the board is appointed by Kaine, his recommendations are expected to fly.

Hampton Roads Transportation Board rep E. Dana Dickens III, who has also been an advocate, said a number of members favor maintaining the ferry schedule.

“I welcome the governor’s support,” Dickens said.

Kaine cautioned that cuts elsewhere may be imminent and put in a dig on reluctant Republicans.

“As your letter also points out, we do not sufficiently fund our transportation system,” Kaine wrote to Barlow. “Together, we have acknowledged this fact in six legislative sessions in the last three years and we have increased our annual financial commitment to rail and transit.

The TIDE, Hampton Roads Light Rail begins

What is it? Where is it going? When will it be here?

The City of Norfolk's TIDE is taking the first step toward a regional light rail system envisioned to link to other rail and high speed rail along the East Coast and beyond. Norfolk is our nation's 36th city to embark on light rail development - America's smallest city to take this large step for its region.

The TIDE, Hampton Roads Light Rail beginsView this presentation in a new browser window; click on "Full" to view full screen; click on "Download" to download the presentation to your own computer.

Posted and reprinted by permission of the City of Norfolk Communications Department. Originally seen by the City's residents in the print publication "Norfolk Quarterly," the Communications Department is allowing us to offer this information to the entire region.

SmartRegion.org welcomes other information about local transportation improvement efforts for the benefit of the entire Hampton Roads region! Please submit to: Contact@HRP.org

Another Point for Light Rail in Hampton Roads, from a citizen's perspective

by Russell Manning

I once read a comment on an article about our new light rail that said something to the effect that we shouldn’t compare ourselves to Charlotte, NC because it is not the same situation. I finally found the right statistic to refute that and to show why Hampton Roads is already doing better than Charlotte.

photo of Charlotte's Light Rail

Population:

• Hampton Roads = 1.65 (million)
• Charlotte MSA = 1.70 (million)

Population Density:

• Hampton Roads = 425 persons/sq. mile
• Charlotte MSA = 500 person/sq. mile

Now, you might be tempted to think that their higher population and density contributed to their having 181% of their first year projected ridership. I’m sure that has contributed to the large ridership, but consider this:

Total Commuters:

• Hampton Roads = 795,343
• Charlotte MSA = 801,778

Percent of Commuters using Public Transportation excluding Taxis:

• Hampton Roads = 1.86 (million)
• Charlotte MSA = 1.75 (million)

In other words, despite their larger population and larger number of commuters, Hampton Roads has a larger percentage of commuters using public transit. Charlotte also faced a large number of cost-overruns and delays and even a referendum to reject the half-cent transportation sales tax (tax funds mass transit in the region). The referendum would have essentially killed all future Charlotte Light Rail. Fortunately, despite a large amount of public outcry against the project, the referendum failed by 70%.

Hampton Roads can do this. Even more-so if the Beach gets on board. I do think that Norfolk needs to look at a larger parking deck for the Newtown Road Station. Charlotte’s end-of-the-line 1,120 space deck fills up by 8:15 AM.

Russell is a Political Science major at ODU, a Hampton Roads Magazine Top Ten Blogger at 757 Hampton Roads, and a Hampton Roads Partnership Intern.

Navigating The Future: Hampton Roads 2034 Long-Range Transportation Plan

http://www.HRMPO.org/KeepHamptonRoadsMoving/index.asp

GET INVOLVED-Take a survey! The Hampton Roads Transportation Planning Organization (formerly known as the Metropolitan Planning Organization) is looking for your vision of the region’s transportation system. Click the banner or link above to take the survey.

In accordance with federal regulations, the HRTPO produces a financially constrained Regional Long-Range Transportation Plan (LRP) every four years that addresses a planning horizon of 20 years. The purpose of these plans is to guide transportation investments to projects designed to meet the transportation goals of the HRTPO--economic vitality, safety, mobility, and environmental protection.

Be part of the plan!

A citizen speaks: WE WANT MASS TRANSIT AS A SOLUTION

by Troi Lewis, a public transit evangelist, City of Hampton resident and frequent online commenter and forum participant; Troi is looking forward to the day when he can use public transportation all the time.

Currently, we need to realize a cost effective alternative to the transportation issue. While it is true that new tunnels and roads are needed, it is still in our best interest to implement mass transit. If you don't agree, please consider the following: Whatever decision is made, it has to be paid for somehow.

I say this because there are concerns as to the cost of the starter light rail (LRT) line in Norfolk. There's also concern about Virginia Beach’s purchase of the remainder of the Norfolk Southern (NS) line to eventually bring LRT to the Beach. But the truth of the matter is: it's the start to an alternative.



Notice that it's called a "starter line". It's not called the "only line", or "Norfolk's exclusive-customized-one-of-a-kind-light rail line; it's called a "starter line". It's the beginning to a light rail system that could stretch all over Hampton Roads and beyond. You probably would also say: This doesn't seem cost effective.

On the contrary, compared to what a new tunnel or crossing would cost, piecing together a light rail system with Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) and Street Car systems would be a lot less. No matter the cost, we need something that would bring a lot more to the table then just more tunnels and more roads.

If you look at TOD (Transit Oriented Development) as something that only feeds the developers’ pockets, you’re not looking at the big picture. Look at the convenience of having some form of rapid transit within walking distance of where you live, work, shop, school, etc. While interstates and expressways are good for business and those close to them, they don't bring property value up like rail or rapid transit does.

There's also a very large financial return that comes from TODs. This could help fund other transportation projects.

You also need to think about the environmental effect this can have, specifically on our health. Think of your children and your other loved ones that have asthma, allergies, or any other forms of respiratory problems.

So I say to you Hampton Roads: Support your city and their decision to bring mass transit (whatever the form) to the region. This will be supporting all of Hampton Roads.

The General Assembly (GA) is not providing solutions. The MPO has worked on bringing a solution to the traffic and travel time through this Plan: www.HamptonRoadsTransitPlan.com



Again, many of the cities are already working on implementing these ideas. So it's going to take all of Hampton Roads to come together to make this into a reality. For those of you who agree on these ideas, please, PLEASE show that you are in support of what's being planned. This way the GA will see that something like this needs to be funded and not put on the back burner like it has been for the past 20 years. I, myself, would rather pay taxes for something that I know can actually bring benefit and make a change, then for something that will be outdated before it's even finished.

So, in closing, we have to put our voices together on this one and tell the GA: WE WANT MASS TRANSIT AS A SOLUTION!!!!

Transit Vision Plan's Public Presentation

Scroll through this presentation for Vision Maps to see how this long-range plan affects your future, your life, your work, your mobility:

Transit Vision Plan for Hampton Roads with Maps

View this presentation in a new browser window; click on "Full" to view full screen; click on "Download" to download the presentation to your own computer.

The Hampton Roads Metropolitan Planning Organization (HRMPO) is undertaking an effort to develop a regional vision of public transportation, indicating the combination of transit services and land use intensity best suited for the region. The basic premise of this study is that public transportation provides a mobility option valuable to the individuals who use it and beneficial to the whole community as part of its economic infrastructure. Route-based public transportation services are generally financially feasible where they connect high activity locations.

This plan is being conducted at the request of the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT) and will be used as input into the Hampton Roads component of the Virginia 2035 Statewide Transit Plan.

Authored by the consultant team of HNTB Corporation, Vanasse Hangen Brustlin Inc., RLS and Associates Inc., and Travesky & Associates Ltd. with cooperation from staff from the Hampton Roads Metropolitan Planning Organization, funding from the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation, and sponsorship by the Hampton Roads Partnership.

More on the Transit Vision Plan plus a link to the complete Draft Plan.

Want more? More Mobility Options?

“I want more high quality, safe, efficient and environmentally friendly public transportation services in Hampton Roads.”

Hampton Roads Transit (HRT) has started an online petition for voicing your support for more public transportation in Hampton Roads. Take a minute to complete the “I Want More” petition here online. Just click on the photo above or visit http://www.gohrt.com/iwantmore/iwantmore.html.

HRT's mission is “to serve the community through high quality, safe, efficient and environmentally friendly regional transportation services,” and they can accomplish this mission only through public support and partnership between citizens, HRT, and local, state and federal government stakeholders.

Be heard.

Just think what you could save with Public Transit

People who opt for public transportation over driving in metro areas can save big bucks according to a new report by the American Public Transportation Association.

Nationally, leaving your car at home can save you up to $12,428 a year, if you have a public transit system. Here's how the annual savings numbers break down around the country:

1. Boston -- $12,428
2. New York -- $12,390
3. San Francisco -- $11,516
4. Chicago -- $10,497
5. Philadelphia -- $10,333
6. Seattle -- $10,274
7. Honolulu -- $10,033
8. D.C. -- $9,530
9. San Diego -- $9,268
10. Minneapolis -- $9,198

Calculate how much you can save with the APTA's Calculator.

It’s Not the End of the Line, It’s the Beginning

Comment by HRP Guest Blogger Matt Simons, a Masters in Public Administration graduate student at ODU and a student of urban planning.

Re: Virginian-Pilot editorial of 2/27/09 entitled “It's the end of the line for rail negotiations” concerning the history of negotiations of the Norfolk Southern (NS) right-of-way. In the coming weeks, Virginia Beach city council will be forced to make a decision as to the best and most appropriate means of acquiring the old Norfolk Southern (NS) right-of-way. This is a rail line which extends from Newtown Road to the oceanfront, the planned future route for the Virginia Beach extension to Norfolk’s new light rail project.

NS is currently paying taxes on the rail line of an assessed value of $7.3 million. However, NS wishes to squeeze more than $40 million out of the Virginia Beach tax payers, by claiming their property is worth that amount.

To some Virginia Beach citizens, the light rail extension is viewed as a political tool for developers to make millions of dollars through the transit oriented development (TOD) which will surely follow. Many feel that their tax dollars are being used as a subsidy for development which they feel does not even affect them. This notion is not only negative to the perception of local politics, but also to the much needed light rail, which is becoming an unwarranted scapegoat for poor spending.

It is not a BAD thing for developers to want light rail, and they should rightly pursue what's in their best interest. However, the city council must make decisions in the best interest of all the tax payers. They don't just see the cost associated directly...but they also see that transit oriented development (TOD) will take a huge tax burden off home owners by diversifying the tax base (Virginia Beach is about 88% residential). In addition, the city council knows that light rail transit (LRT) works in accordance with the city’s future plans of “smart growth.” This involves concentrating growth within a city center to avoid suburban sprawl, which means less pressure will be put on the city council to one day extend the green line further into Pungo.

It is important to note that smart growth favors long-term regional considerations of sustainability over the short-term concerns associated with capital cost. If we do not fix the growing problem now, we will be faced with worse problems in the future. The hardest issue facing the media now? Stressing the importance of correctly informing the public on the problem.

Transportation is the most obvious, and light rail will one day work within the context of a larger network of infrastructure, to perform viably to be a true alternative for commuting within the region. Additionally, the problem is also growth management. And for the planners and city council, they see light rail a way to preserve what little green space we have left to balance out our economic concerns with the ecological needs for future generations. There is also a push to attract more commercial business in order to take a tax burden off the home owners, as well as give the residents more employment opportunities within their own city.

Together light rail and smart growth can preserve a sustainable Hampton Roads and allow adequate mobility for its residents which will allow for a more workable growth model for all its citizens.

It's the end of the line for rail negotiations The Virginian-Pilot © Editorial February 27, 2009

Norfolk Southern Corp. has a preliminary agreement to sell its right of way for a light rail line between Norfolk and Virginia Beach's Oceanfront. An appraiser chosen by the rail company and the regional transportation board will determine the property's worth.

September 1996 - Buying Norfolk Southern's 11-mile right of way is a top priority and needs to happen quickly, the Virginia Beach City Council says. The rail company says the property is worth $40.6 million.

August 2003 - The City Council agrees to explore the asking price for Norfolk Southern's right of way, reigniting discussions from August 2006, when Virginia Beach said the line was worth $4.5 million.

December 2007 - The City Council said it would spend $10 million to buy the Norfolk Southern right of way, the likely route for a light rail project, and has asked for $20 million from the state. The rail company said the property was appraised for $50 million in 2008.

January 2009 - A city appraisal of the right of way determined it's worth about $6 million. Norfolk Southern wants $40 million.

February 2009 - Same song, umpteenth verse.

Years after Virginia Beach officials agreed that the city's transportation future was tied to the 66-foot-wide rail path between Norfolk and the resort area, we're still hearing the same tune.
The city and Norfolk Southern are far apart on a fair price for the land.

The rail company wants $3.8 million per mile - about $40 million - for the 10.6-mile swath. The land is valued at $7.3 million for tax purposes. By comparison, Norfolk is paying $1.5 million per mile - the fair market value as determined by the state in 2003 - for its 4.8 miles.

Granted, the straight east-west path from the Norfolk border to the convention center is worth more. It runs parallel to, and just north of, Interstate 264, past Town Center and Hilltop.

More than a dozen years ago, according to an agreement between Norfolk Southern and the Tidewater Transportation District Commission, the price for the right of way was to be determined after an appraisal by a real estate agent selected by both parties, at a cost of $100,000.

In 2007, shortly after Norfolk Southern abandoned the line, Virginia Beach authorized its city manager to negotiate a purchase or begin condemnation proceedings.

It's starting to look like Norfolk Southern simply doesn't want to sell. If that's the case, Virginia Beach needs to begin seriously considering its alternatives, including condemnation.

If the rail company is ready to deal, its negotiators need to be locked in a room with Virginia Beach's leaders. Nobody should be allowed out until they've agreed on a fair price.

It's way past time for the fat lady to appear.

Attending the Transit Vision Plan Public Meeting

Click on map for larger view by Missy Schmidt, Communication Manager, Hampton Roads Partnership, Missy@HRP.org

I attended the early Transit Vision Plan (TVP) public meeting last night in Norfolk. One of the TVP consultants, Travesky & Associates Ltd., presented a slide show highlighting the maps and route corridors, improvements and integration methods.

This TVP is an evolutionary plan, with enhancements happening over many years. To be successful as a region in the future, the TVP promotes and predicts more compact mixed use development along corridors of transit. It encourages employment, housing and other activity centers to locate along these corridors as well to be more efficient.

It looks at an integrated system of transit services: bus, shuttle, ferry, light rail, street car, commuter rail, just about anything larger than a tandem bike that would take people out of their cars and off the highways.

Other benefits of the TVP are: redevelopment of aging commercial areas, links to activity centers from less dense areas of the region, designated park and ride areas, connection of activity centers during high demand/peak tourist periods, encouragement of pedestrian traffic, prevention of sprawling land patterns (i.e. better land use).

Approximately 30 citizens (six UCAC-HRT’s User Citizen Advisory Committee members among them), participated in break-out work groups after the consultant’s review. The break-out session facilitators asked these questions:

• Among the transit improvements proposed, what are your priorities?
• What are the benefits to the region of implementing the proposed transit improvements? Which benefits are most important to you?
• How would implementing the proposed transit improvements affect your ability or interest in using transit?

HRT-users sitting with me oohed and aahed over the foresight and thoughtfulness that went into the plan. There was a genuine, almost electric, feeling of collaboration and importance. Everyone likes to be heard. The more opportunity people are given to engage in meaningful, positive dialogue, the better.

The suggestions made by the work groups, reporting back to the full group after the break-outs, seemed very workable, i.e. using technology for access to “flex shuttles” within the Community Circulators routes, creating “Community Response Transit” routes, etc.

The usual questions were raised about funding sources and user-friendly issues such as accessibility, hours of operation, affordability, seamless transfers, frequency of service, ease of purchasing tickets, better shelters, etc.

However, overwhelmingly, I heard a different sentiment of “Just DO IT!” The need for “a regional transit authority,””working together as a region,” and to “stop bickering among localities as to who pays for what” was prevalent. “If we don’t act now, we’ll have DC-like traffic” was heard.

Not one person mentioned Economic Development as a reason for improving Public Transit last night.

To sum up the break-out reports, citizens care about getting where they need to go when they need to get there affordably, comfortably, conveniently, safely, securely and in a way that is environmentally-friendly.

Quality of Life, Freedom of Choice and Regional Cooperation were overwhelmingly the most important benefits mentioned. Yes, Economic Development is a beneficial by-product of focusing on these issues, but it was not the citizens’ focus.

You still have until March 13th to comment on the Transit Vision Plan: http://hrpartnership.blogspot.com/2009/02/transit-vision-for-hampton-roads-region.html

TRANSIT VISION FOR THE HAMPTON ROADS REGION (draft)

For information on public meetings to be held in Hampton and Norfolk on February 24th, visit: www.HamptonRoadsTransitPlan.com

TRANSIT VISION FOR THE HAMPTON ROADS REGION
Hampton Roads is to be served by an efficient, sustainable, and integrated transit network of local buses, express buses, bus rapid transit, light rail transit, and commuter rail. Local buses serve neighborhoods and link riders to higher capacity transit corridors. The light rail system, the streetcars, and the bus rapid transit lines provide fast and reliable regional transit connections. Commuter rail carries workers across the longer distances from semi-rural residential areas to employment and activity centers in the region. As a result of its transit investments, the region continues to attract employers, residents, and visitors, and it continues to grow and foster economic development. However, this growth is compact – primarily targeted to mixed-use activity centers and high-capacity transit corridors – and better protects the region’s precious natural resources and environmentally sensitive areas. Ultimately, the region’s pattern of growth increases mobility, accessibility, and quality of life — allowing a parent to walk a child to school, step into a café for breakfast, then walk to the transit station for the morning’s commute.

Download the complete plan draft HERE.

Authored by the consultant team of HNTB Corporation, Vanasse Hangen Brustlin Inc., RLS and Associates Inc., and Travesky & Associates Ltd. with cooperation from staff from the Hampton Roads Metropolitan Planning Organization, funding from the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation, and sponsorship by the Hampton Roads Partnership.

The process to develop this integrated Transit Vision Plan was initiated by the Hampton Roads Partnership. Joining with the Hampton Roads Metropolitan Planning Organization (HRMPO) and the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT), a study was launched with the establishment of a Public Transportation Plan Technical Committee (PTPTC), made up of jurisdictional staff and representatives from the HRMPO, DRPT, Hampton Roads Transit, and the Hampton Roads Partnership.