News Story - Levy Live

"Levey Live" Q&A with Shirley J. Ybarra

Excerpt of moderated discussion. See the full text at: http://washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/zforum/levey/bob112.htm

"Levey Live," appears each Tuesday from 12 to 1 p.m. Eastern time. It is a live, moderated discussion offering washingtonpost.com users the chance to ask questions directly of the people who make the news and the people who report it. Your host is Washington Post columnist Bob Levey.

Bob's guest today was Shirley J. Ybarra, Virginia's Secretary of Transportation. Ybarra, who has just completed her first year in this post, has an extensive background in governmental and commercial transportation issues. She previously served as Virginia's Deputy Secretary of Transportation and was a special assistant for policy for U.S. Secretary of Transportation Elizabeth Dole from 1983 to 1987.

Here is a transcript of Shirley J. Ybarra's appearance:

(NOTE ONLY THE PORTION DEALING WITH SLUGGING IS PRINTED BELOW)

Bob Levey: I've heard from many readers who want you to allow "slug lines" (ride-formation lines) along the Dulles corridor. The idea would be to allow more people to take advantage of HOV rules. What's your position on this?

Shirley J. Ybarra: Slug lines are the best of the free market I have ever seen. Slug lines do not need Virginia's approval and can be created by the commuters. Quite honestly, we do not get involved. If they want lines along the Dulles Corridor--have at it.