Rail Group Asks MWAA to Drop PLA
Dulles Corridor Rail Association outlines reasons to go forward without project labor agreement.
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The Dulles Corridor Rail Association sent a letter to the Metropolitan Washington Airports Association (MWAA) late last week asking that the project labor agreement (PLA) be dropped and outlining why the Silver Line Phase 2 must be completed as envisioned.
"We support efforts to stop the PLA preference and substitute language in the procurement process calling for effective management of workforce issues in a manner that conforms with right to work law of Virginia; and find new funding sources (federal, state and private) to explore alternative funding mechanisms to reduce financing costs and the burden on Dulles Toll Road users," wrote Del. Ken Plum (D-Reston), the chairman of DCRA, and Patricia Nicoson, the president of the group.
DCRA says completion of Phase 2, which will run from Reston's Wiehle Avenue to Dulles International Airport and into Loudoun County, is a project that is "nationally significant."
Phase 1, which will run from Tysons Corner to Wiehle Avenue, is more than 70 percent completed and on schedule to open in late 2013. Phase 2 remains in limbo as there are limited state funds available, no federal funding, and Loudoun County has indicated it may withdraw its support of the project. Loudoun Supervisors have until July 4 to make a decision.
There has also been backlash over the Phase 2 PLA. At issue is whether unionized labor should be given an advantage in getting contracts for project. In screening bids, MWAA wants to give a 10-percent bonus to contractors who agree to a project labor agreement.
"We urge the members of the Airports Authority to remove the divisive PLA incentive and to instead focus on providing the opportunity for firms interested in bidding on the project to demonstrate their willingness and ability to meet expectations for effective workforce management," the letter reads.
To read the entire letter, see the PDF attached to this article.
Meanwhile, the MWAA's Dulles Corridor Committee will meet on Wednesday as part of the MWAA Board meeting.
Stuart Rakoff
8:16 am on Tuesday, May 15, 2012
Will the next attack on the Silver Line be that no gay welders can be hired? It is a mistake to cave into these canards about the PLA and to stand up for working men and women.
Alice T
10:27 am on Tuesday, May 15, 2012
At first I thought the anti-PLA sentiment was typical Republican anti-labor obstructionism. But after reading the editorial in Fairfax Times by the "$17 toll" candidate (sorry I can't remember his name), I think the PLA should be dropped, assuming it is true that because VA is a "right to work" (anti-union) state, many VA businesses do not use union labor and would therefore be discriminated against by this clause.
Bob Bruhns
8:44 am on Wednesday, May 16, 2012
The PLA, which MWAA morphed into a PLA Preference, is improper in Right To Work Virginia - but it is not the main reason for the $17 tolls. Somebody should make a projection of tolls with and without the PLA Preference, to illustrate this.
The real problem is the bloated pricetag for this Dulles Rail Phase II, aka Rail To Loudoun, aka Silver Line project. This is being billed to us at TWO TIMES what it should cost, compared to other similar jobs. The reason this can be done is that people will believe what they are told, and will not use their heads.
People, it is time to use your heads. This thing costs TWO TIMES what it should. This overcharge amounts to about $1.5 Billion Dollars, that - gee, what a surprise - a few people would like to collect and keep for themselves. Is it so hard to grasp that this is the reason why we have such a concerted effort to confuse the people of this region about the purpose of this rail line, about whether there should be an above or below ground rail station at the airport, about whether there should be a PLA or PLA Preference, about the double price for this job, about the $17 tolls and their source, and about the crazy projections of hundreds of billions of dollars gushing out of paychecks and office buildings because of it?
We are headed toward another 1996 Dulles Greenway disaster here - a premature leap that will fail for economic reasons, resulting in an economic drain where an asset should have been. Use your heads.
Burt Rosenberg
10:13 am on Tuesday, May 15, 2012
The working men and women who will work on the Silver Line, under a fairly-bid, competitive, non-PLA-laden contract, will do fine. And without favoritism, or running up costs. (I will ignore the "no gay welders" ad hominem non-sequitur.)
John Lovaas
10:27 am on Tuesday, May 15, 2012
You are right on the mark, Stu.
Working men and women, and their unions, deserve our support now more than ever as we watch politicians and their corporate funders plunder their benefits and promote increased income inequality in Virginia and the USA.
It is more than disappointing when the "friends" of working people succumb to the baseless attacks coming from Bob McDonnell and his rightwing cohort.
In fact, the PLA has contributed to the success of Phase I which is on time and on budget thus far. Even the contracting firms have attested to the positive role of the PLA.
I have been a supporter of the Dulles Rail project from the getgo, but I no longer want to be associated with the Dulles Corridor Rail Association after this betrayal.
Bob Bruhns
10:45 am on Tuesday, May 15, 2012
The Project Labor Agreement is a violation of Virginia Right To Work law, so the removal of any requirement for, or any contractor selection advantage for a PLA in this job is a foregone conclusion.
Why then would it have been inserted into this project? I submit that the purpose of this planned throw-away was simply to distract the public from the 100% overcost of Dulles Rail Phase II. We are supposed to agree to a 90% overcharge when this PLA is completely removed from the job. Our leaders constantly claim that they are looking for ways to reduce the costs, but they really aren't.
The overall cost per mile of this job is 100% higher than it should be, compared to the cost per mile of the generally similar Franconia-Springfield extension, adjusted for inflation since that job was done, yet our leaders and our news media studiously ignore this fact.
The advertised cost of the Rt 28 rail station - and this estimate is from the FTA, no less - is two times what a Connecticut Metro station cost as recently as December 2011, yet our leaders and our news media studiously ignore this fact.
The Phase II parking garage costs are 70% above average comparable parking stucture costs in the USA, and estimates in nearby Herndon Virginia agree closely with those national averages, yet our leaders and our news media studiously ignore this fact.
It is time to demand that our leaders OF BOTH PARTIES, and our news media, stop covering up the robbery that is happening right now.
Bob Bruhns
10:58 am on Tuesday, May 15, 2012
Also - the ONLY national significance of Dulles Rail Phase II, is its unwarranted cost. Other proponents of overpriced transit agreements across the country will then be able to point to this ripoff as the going price for such work - and certainly they will continue to ratchet prices upward from there, as much as the apathetic public will allow. This practice must be stopped, immediately, and now is the time.
Dave Butler
10:48 am on Tuesday, May 15, 2012
A PLA does NOT require union labor. That's a complete myth. Virginia is a right-to-work state, so non-union companies can bid. A PLA is simply an agreement that ensures standard management practices and experienced, skilled labor. Projects with a PLA tend to be about the same cost as those without one, but have a much greater chance to come in on time, on budget, and safe.
Alice, it is typical Republican anti-labor obstructionism, unfortunately. Republicans tend to dislike public transportation and this is their way to kill the project. If the PLA is dropped and the project has cost overruns, is late, and workers get killed, then the Republicans will use that as ammunition to kill the next project. It's sad and pathetic really.
Bob Booey
3:42 pm on Tuesday, May 15, 2012
Absolutley correct Dave, PLA's do not mandate the use of union labor. The PLA does establish wages, benefits, safety practices and standards, and in many cases prevents lockouts and strikes for the length of the project.
Infact using PLA's can mandate that the workers who build the project actually live in the county where it is being built. This would provide a nice boost to the local economy. Money paid to the local hands and in return spent in local establishments. There are provisions that can be made within the PLA that ensure that it benefits the local communities.
Just the Facts
10:01 pm on Tuesday, May 15, 2012
Dave Butler has this correct. A project labor agreement is not a violation of Virginia Right to Work laws. MWAA has a Pla on phase 1. I did not see any lawsuits, forced labor union participation etc. Phase 1has both union and non union contractors and workers on it. Just keep the same deal on Phase 2. Problem solved.
Melvin Summers
11:07 pm on Tuesday, May 15, 2012
It seems to me that if they are splitting the work between Union and Non-Union contractors now, that they should be able to keep moving forward with a similar arrangement. I think that when the Union is involved, workers get a safer work environment and that the likely hood of cutting corners to save money goes down, giving you a better finished product in the end. Compromise people :)
Terry Maynard
12:16 pm on Tuesday, May 15, 2012
Not mentioned in the article above is the DCRA's call for fairer cost sharing of Silver Line construction immediately following the PLA statement mentioned in the article:
"We support efforts to . . .
. . . Find new funding sources (federal, state, and private) and explore alternative funding mechanisms to reduce financing costs and the burden on Dulles Toll Road users."
In its most recent white paper--"Rail to Dulles and 'The Highway of the One Percent'"--discussed in a Reston Patch article (http://reston.patch.com/articles/reston2020-tolls-biggest-issue-for-rail) and available at the Reston 2020 blog (http://www.reston2020.blogspot.com/2012/05/dulles-rail-and-highway-of-one-percent.html), Reston 2020 called upon the local funding partners, landowners in the Metro station areas, and the Dulles toll road users to share equally the otherwise unfunded costs of Silver Line construction.
It's nice to see DCRA adopt a similar position.
Melvin Summers
11:31 pm on Tuesday, May 15, 2012
Terry, to be fair to the argument, you should have mentioned that same white paper says that the tolls - and not project-labor agreements - are the most important issue for the Silver Line. I've heard very few arguments that cry over the rising tolls, and if it comes down to those costs, people can go to that meeting on June 4th to get their 2 cents in, no pun intended
The BSD Guy
1:46 pm on Tuesday, May 15, 2012
Let me guess: The developer elite aren't happy with the profits they're making, so they would like to displace the American workers w/illegals working for a few bucks an hour while still charging the govt. at the same rate.
Does that sound about right?
David Denholm
2:25 pm on Tuesday, May 15, 2012
It seems to me that the way this whole thing has been set up the toll payers and tax payers are being asked to foot the bill for a project that will make a few people very rich. There ought to be a way to measure that increase in wealth (land value) and apportion at least some, perhaps most, of the cost of the project to those who benefit from it. I wouldn't be fooled by the idea that the real benefit is to the poor souls who are stuck in traffic. That will be the case with or without the rail.
Terry Maynard
3:41 pm on Tuesday, May 15, 2012
David--There is a way to do what you are talking about. It's called "tax increment financing" or TIF. It taxes the additional value of the land above pre-rail value at a higher rate. It works--and Reston 2020 advocates for it in its latest white paper per my comment above!
Re traffic--Actually, there will be FEWER people on the toll road, despite increasing population and employment, precisely because of the higher tolls. Even MWAA's forecaster predicts that outcome. You know where they will be: ON LOCAL STREETS AND HIGHWAYS.
Bob Booey
3:45 pm on Tuesday, May 15, 2012
Sutdies have found that PLAs offer benefits to project owners and local communities, and do not disadvantage nonunion contractors and employees. A 2009 study by Fred B. Kotler, J.D., Associate Director of the Cornell University School of Industrial and Labor Relations found that there is no evidence that PLAs discriminate against employers and workers, limit the pool of bidders, and raise construction costs.
http://digitalcommons.ilr.cornell.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1021&context=reports
David Denholm
4:03 pm on Tuesday, May 15, 2012
Bob, I've been around this sort of thing long enough to know than any "study" from Cornell is going to find that there is absolutely nothing wrong with anything that labor unions do. I've got a study by the late Herbert R. Northrup of the University of Pennsylvania The Wharton School Industrial Research Unit that finds just the opposite. To which you might respond, Wharton School Industrial Research never likes what unions do. The facts of the matter are that project labor agreements increase costs and discriminate. If they didn't what use would they be to the people who promote them?
Melvin Summers
11:37 pm on Tuesday, May 15, 2012
Bob, thanks for clearing up some of the rhetoric. The plan is great, and there's no reason for this smokescreen to stand in the way of Phase II. The Silver Line is coming to Loudoun, and everyone else can just stand back and eat crow.
Bob Booey
4:36 pm on Tuesday, May 15, 2012
David, Herbert R. Northrup as penned an article saying that economics, not civil rights, was the chief factor underlying racial tension in the United States...not so sure he is the best source for what is actually going on.
If Cornell is not a good enough source for you then try this one. Real numbers, real money and real savings.
http://www.lecet.org/Clearinghouse_Public/LECET/PLA/contra_costa.pdf
Bob Bruhns
5:45 pm on Tuesday, May 15, 2012
The preliminary audit results from the June 21, 2011 audit of MWAA management by US DOT have been released. Hmmmm.
Interim Response Letter to Congressmen Wolf and Latham Regarding MWAA
May 15, 2012
Summary:
http://www.oig.dot.gov/library-item/5808
Full pdf document:
http://www.oig.dot.gov/sites/dot/files/MWAA%20Interim%20Letter_5-15-12.pdf
From the report:
"...MWAA’s contracting policies and practices are similarly insufficient to ensure compliance with the Act’s provisions and its internal procurement procedures, resulting in contracts that are not subject to full and open competition and may not represent best value."
- BOARD POLICIES AND LACK OF TRANSPARENCY LIMIT MWAA’S ACCOUNTABILITY
- Policies Are Not Sufficient To Promote Ethical Conduct or Prevent Potential Conflicts of Interest
- Financial disclosure—MWAA’s financial disclosure process is insufficient for identifying and evaluating potential conflicts of interest.
- MWAA’s Policies and Oversight Do Not Ensure That Board Travel Expenses Are Reasonable
- Visibility Into Key Board Activities Remains Limited
- MWAA’S CONTRACTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES ARE INSUFFICIENT TO ENSURE COMPLIANCE WITH THE AIRPORTS ACT
- MWAA Did Not Maximize Competition or Always Request Board Approval When Required
- MWAA’s Contracting Policies and Procedures Do Not Reflect Effective Contract Management
- Increase in Revenue-Maximizing Toll Estimates
Bob Bruhns
7:25 pm on Tuesday, May 15, 2012
Also check this:
Wolf Statement On Release of Inspector General's Interim Report On MWAA
Congressman Wolf web page, May 15, 2012
http://wolf.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=34§iontree=6,34&itemid=1936
Dave Webster
8:15 pm on Tuesday, May 15, 2012
I see Mr. Wolf fleshes out the circumstances of Jenner & Block being hired by MWAA to write a memo on the enforceability of Mr. Wolf's legislation changing the composition of the MWAA Board. In case anyone wants to see what a $100,000 memo looks like here is the link.
http://www.metwashairports.com/file/MWAA__Legislation__Memorandum.pdf
Jack406
8:21 pm on Tuesday, May 15, 2012
We need less crooked group than MWAA in charge of building out rail to Dulles. Have you seen the way they are wasting taxpayer money? It is shameful.
Just the Facts
10:12 pm on Tuesday, May 15, 2012
I never see a business reason for dropping the PLA. All I hear is a bunch of Republcans that ate unions. If it saves money on the project, why would we not want it? If its just a hate union thing, then that is not really responsible. The MWAA entire Board voted for it including all the republicans. So I would assume they all thought it was good for the project. All the Virginia representatives all voted for it. So who should we blame next?
CC Mojo
11:14 pm on Tuesday, May 15, 2012
"We urge the members of the Airports Authority to remove the divisive PLA incentive and to instead focus on providing the opportunity for firms interested in bidding on the project to demonstrate their willingness and ability to meet expectations for effective workforce management," the letter reads.
How does that do anything but show corporate favoritism, which is just another way of unionizing labor through deeper pockets? The PLA has been effective in Phase I, and there isn't a reason to drop it now. This conservative fear is absolutely ridiculous, and its not only taking jobs away from the local community, but going a step further to delay this entire plan, or derail it entirely.
How about those opposed come up with an argument that isn't based in fear and conjecture, and maybe one that benefits the actual people of Loudoun - not just the snobby elitists.
Bob Bruhns
9:14 am on Wednesday, May 16, 2012
Get the cost of this thing down to earth. It costs two times what it should, and the fairy tales about hundreds of billions of dollars gushing out of paychecks and office buildings because of this little local rail lane are ridiculous - especially in Loudoun County, where people will still need either cars, or (gasp) BUS, to get to and from the two stations over on the east side of the county, where there is NO BUSINESS TAX DISTRICT IN THE RAIL STATION AREA for the real beneficiaries of Rail to Loudoun to pay a fair share for their huge windfall.
Why am I the ONLY ONE to be talking about the double price of this job? We hear about fair distibution of the excessive cost, but we never hear about a fair price for the job! All we get is smokescreen after smokescreen that doesn't bring the price down to earth. What's up with that? This PLA Preference issue is more of the same - a trick to confuse people into thinking that the tolls will magically go down.
The only way the tolls are going down is either Fairfax County and Loudoun County float Billion Dollar Bonds and pay this thing with our children's and grandchildren's life savings, or we get a handle on the two to one overcost of this job and bring it down to the actual going rate - which is ONE HALF of what this thing costs now.
Don Hilton
12:08 pm on Wednesday, May 16, 2012
Have ridden the Loudoun Bus to DC many times Great for an all day event but if your business is over before 3pm YOU ARE STUCK. Train offers much more flexibility and frequency. By the way, how did I get to he bus stop? By (gasp) CAR, and judging by the full parking lot so do most people.
CC Mojo
12:52 pm on Wednesday, May 16, 2012
Wait, Bob, do you mean the same great bus service that magically disappears when the 9-5'ers are done? If faced with having to plan my life around the buses, as they stand today, or know I can rely on the train to get me where I want to be, even at 3pm on a Sunday, well, that seems obvious.
When is the last time you rode a bus, Bob? Just curious.
Bob Bruhns
9:15 pm on Wednesday, May 16, 2012
Yeah, CC, the BUS - one of the buses that most visitors to Loudoun County are going to have to TAKE, to get from the stations over on the east side of the county to the office buildings that are supposedly going to gush money because of this rail. THAT bus. Oh - maybe you are saying that people coming to Loudoun County on this rail line at late hours are going to be stranded? Well that's very interesting.
I was on a bus at an airport a few years ago, in Paris, I think. And I was on a rail link to an international airport in Frankfurt, Germany a few years ago too. I guess they only have one international airport, but I'm not sure. Other than that, I drive, like most people.
TISH G
11:50 pm on Tuesday, May 15, 2012
I'm not arguing points about the PLA or anything.. i just want it to happen. I think it will make traveling to DC with my kids much easier.. i can save our family car for the longer trips and vacations. I really do think it will be good for Loudoun in the long run. We have to look ahead decades into the future.. not just a few years.
:o)
CC Mojo
12:30 am on Wednesday, May 16, 2012
No kidding. Keep it simple... we want the Rail!
Kadey Mackenzie
8:01 am on Wednesday, May 16, 2012
Absolutely! The metro is much better for the environment, not to mention more cost effective in the long run. We have to stop thinking about right now and start looking ahead to what is more beneficial to this area, what would be less taxing (no pun intended) on this area. Families have more time together, parents come home from work much less stressed out, you're not buying a car every 2 or 3 years because you've put so much mileage on it and never mind the regular maintenance on your car simply because there is more wear and tear on it. Don't even get me started on the gas prices and how much cost is going into your car just on that. I think it's great bringing the metro out here! It will make getting in and out of Loudoun easier. We are going to pay taxes whether we like it or not, the tolls are going to go up whether we like it or not, so let's at least have a good reason for it, something that will actually benefit the residents of Loudoun!
Bob Bruhns
9:32 am on Wednesday, May 16, 2012
You might want to get the price down to earth, and demand that there be a business rail tax district in Loudoun County so that the real beneficiaries of Rail to Loudoun should pay a fair share for their unbelievable windfall. Otherwise this thing will cost you a lot more than you might think.
Also, unless you live less than a quarter mile from one of the rail stations, you'll need a car, or (gasp!) BUS, to get to and from the rail stations. In Loudoun County, the stations are over on the east side of the County. (Maybe you shouldn't tell anybody in Leesburg, or Purcelville, or Round Hill, or Middleburg, or Trapp, or Lovettsville about that.)
Victoria Glenn
9:30 am on Wednesday, May 16, 2012
They have been talking about this for over 40 years...its time to get this done. It should have been done years ago. This is a fantastic place to live and the rail is only going to improve that. I can't wait to be able to take my kids into DC without having to worry about where we are going to park, or it taking forever to drive there.
Bob Bruhns
9:40 am on Wednesday, May 16, 2012
Well, it will take as long by rail as it does by car, because this is a local rail line that stops at every station, and has no express tracks. But right now, you can drive to Vienna, park in the big lot at the station there, and get to DC on the Orange Line. Next year you could drive to Wiehle Ave and park there, and take the Phase I Silver Line to DC. I'm not sure what the problem is.
Victoria Glenn
1:32 pm on Wednesday, May 16, 2012
I never said there was a problem...just anything that makes life with 3 kids easier..yay! These are not the only reasons I think we really need the rail but I am sure I am not alone in thinking these small conveniences will go a long way.
Tom Wyland
9:50 am on Wednesday, May 16, 2012
@Bob Bruhns - I would also add that we have decent frequent bus service today from Herndon - Monroe Park & Ride to West Falls Church during the week. Herndon Monroe even has direct access from the Dulles Toll Road.
The issue of comparing daily commute times by car vs. rail is that a commute by car is highly variable. A simple breakdown for fender bender could double your commute time. Also when you commute by bus or rail you can get some reading or work done while you ride.
Kadey Mackenzie
10:48 am on Wednesday, May 16, 2012
Seriously, and what are the odds there will be a simple breakdown or fender bender regularly in this area? Pretty likely (just listen to the morning traffic) and it causes major delays even if it is just rubbernecking. Reading a book in peace while commuting to or from work, this mom of 5 thinks that sounds heavenly :)
As far as needing a car or bus to get to the station...ok? I'd rather drive 5 mins to the station and park my car than sit for god knows how long in said car trying to get somewhere. Speaking of park & ride, there is a packed lot off of 606 that, from my understanding, will be part of the new metro...what's the difference if you park & ride the bus, park & ride with another car, or park & ride the metro? You're still initially driving your car to the same location.
Victoria Glenn
1:33 pm on Wednesday, May 16, 2012
and let us not forget the near endless road construction to try to keep up with the ever increasing traffic that slows things down too.
Bob Bruhns
3:13 pm on Wednesday, May 16, 2012
Isn't it possible to drive to the Herndon-Monroe lot and park and take a bus now? Would that be that much further to drive, given the cost of this rail line?
CC Mojo
12:54 pm on Wednesday, May 16, 2012
Oh, and really, this of says a lot about the commuting issue: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tmHKzmt1juw&;
Bob Bruhns
3:28 pm on Wednesday, May 16, 2012
Wouldn't BRT have done pretty much the same thing? But I recently read that somebody managed to prevent BRT as quickly as possible after somebody else managed to switch us to the idea of rail.. Now THAT's what I call planning!
It could still be done, though. Build a road where the rail line would go, and run bus on it until rail becomes practical. Transfer at Reston-Wiehle. NO WAY that would cost anywhere near as much as rail, and there is already the right of way in place for it. When the idea catches on, it could extend across Loudoun County much more readily than rail, given that the population density in Loudoun County simply isn't ready for rail yet - AND it would reserve the future rail right of way. Plus, it would STILL create construction jobs and business. I wonder if there is a You-Tube video ready to refute that.
Of course, somebody did pretend, recently, that BRT would cost about the same as rail. I wonder how long their analysis would stand up to scrutiny. Let's see, shall we?
CC Mojo
12:08 am on Thursday, May 17, 2012
Do you have several foil hats, or just one that you wear all day? Maybe seasonal? I'd love to talk to your designer!
I'm a YouTube fan, can't help it :) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Xf-Lesrkuc
Get it? It's TRAIN!
Melvin Summers
12:15 am on Thursday, May 17, 2012
The population of Loudon gets bigger and bigger each year. We sit on roads from in the morning and afternoon for longer then MOST people in the whole country. All of the neighboring counties to our east have the Metro. We pay our taxes, we commute on our clogged roads. It's about time we got Metro.
Bob Bruhns
1:38 am on Thursday, May 17, 2012
CC - can you Google a YouTube video that explains how visitors coming to Loudoun County by rail will get from the rail stations on the east end of Loudoun County to all of the office buildings all over Loudoun County, where all of those Billions of dollars will be gushing, and stuff? Maybe you can find find videos of oxcarts, rickshaws, unicycles, jetskis, skateboards and hot air balloons? Or will you admit that BUS is what you need? Wait, I forgot hitchhiking...
Rob Jackson
4:48 pm on Wednesday, May 16, 2012
"Have ridden the Loudoun Bus to DC many times Great for an all day event but if your business is over before 3pm YOU ARE STUCK. Train offers much more flexibility and frequency."
Not really. The capacity of the Potomac River tunnel, which will be used by the Orange, Blue and Silver Lines, is 27 trains per hour in each direction. Before the recently announced Blue Line changes that shift three trains per hour to the Yellow Line route, there are 14 Orange and 13 Blue Line trains per hour at peak periods. Take away three Blue Line trains, leaving ten per hour. Add the Silver Line. Then there can be as many as 17 total Orange and Silver Line trains per hour. If we reduce the overcrowded Orange Line to ten trains per hour, there can be only 7 Silver Line trains per hour during peak periods. Or we could cut the Orange Line to eight to have 9 Silver Line trains per hour.
Certainly eight car trains can pick up some of the slack, and some Orange Line riders will shift to the Silver Line, but the service on the Silver Line will be limited, unless Orange Line service is significantly reduced.
Don Hilton
10:01 pm on Wednesday, May 16, 2012
So what bus do you ride to get back from DC at 10am in the morning, or 10 at night ,or weekends? Betcha there's a train at those times
Melvin Summers
12:21 am on Thursday, May 17, 2012
I do not think busses are a good alternative for a couple reasons. One they add to traffic by putting MORE vehicles on the roads, and we all have to steer around them when they stop, making rush hours even worse. Second they just can't move the same volume of people. I think the people who work in Loudoun county need a cheap and easy way to commute into DC so they can bring a paycheck home to the county where they will spend more of DC's money here and make our economy grow.
Yes to Metro
Bob Bruhns
2:11 am on Thursday, May 17, 2012
You realize that people coming into Loudoun County by rail will need something to get to the office buildings and stores that are more than walking distance from the rail stations, that are on the east end of the county. So the more people coming in by rail, the more bus will be needed. Likewise, many Loudoun County residents will prefer to take a bus from locations all over the county to the rail stations on the east end of the county.
Also - do you feel that you will be getting the same benefit as the landowners within walking distance of the rail stations? Of course you won't, so you should demand that there be a business rail tax district around the rail stations, so that those landowners can pay a fair share.