By Laura Peters
Capital News Service

Rail and other public transit services are keys to solving Virginia’s transportation problems, the chairman of the House Transportation Committee says.

“As Virginia becomes an increasingly urban and suburban state, rail and transit increase will become an important part of our transportation solution,” said Delegate Joe May, R-Leesburg. “It’s not a choice; it’s just the way it has to be.”

Virginia doesn’t have the money and other resources to build more roads. So, May said, “The far greater solution is going to have to be rail and transit, and you might as well get used to it.”

He made his comments last week at a House transportation subcommittee meeting attended by officials from the Virginia Department of Transportation and the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation.

Thelma Drake, director of the Department of Rail and Public Transportation, addressed the subcommittee. She is a former House member from Norfolk.

Drake said public transportation reduces energy consumption and improves air quality.

But public transit faces a funding crisis, she said. “Revenues are declining, as needs continue to increase.”

Virginia has applied for funding under the federal economic stimulus program to extend a high-speed rail line from Washington, D.C., to Richmond. Only time will tell whether the state will get the money, Drake said.

She said the federal stimulus funds would not be used for operating the rail service.

Gregory Whirley Sr., acting commissioner of VDOT, told the subcommittee that his agency is being revamped.

For one thing, VDOT has been trimming its workforce, cutting 450 employees last April, 640 in July and about 680 in January. Also, the agency is focusing on road maintenance, not construction.

“Maintenance is to preserve the existing highway systems, not to increase capacity,” Whirley said.

He said VDOT is working hard to cut costs and redefine its mission.

“We have to keep our eye on the ball, in spite of all these changes,” Whirley said. “Our operations won’t be perfect, and our activities won’t be flawless. But I guarantee you we will get the job done. Hopefully, we will emerge from this a strong and more focused agency.”