George Barker Still Hates Slugs

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   I griped about this since he was elected but just wanted to throw the reminder out there since he is up for reelect.  Since his election Sen. George Barker has done nothing to help slugs or slugging.

	Sen. George Barker Hates Slugs and Slugging

	One of his very first votes was to extend the Hybrid exemption for HOV lanes to allow single passenger hybrids to continue using HOV lanes. Regardless that increasing gas prices are resulting in more and more vehicles are crowding the HOV lanes and slowing the commute.

	And every year since Sen. Barker has proven through his votes that he hates the SLUG system and instead supports Hybrid drivers and big developers.  All of this at the expense of those of us trapped in traffic behind all the single drivers in the HOV lanes.  

	I would urge you to email him at district39@sov.state.va.us, however he hasn't responded to my repeated emails but you might have more luck.

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colossus911 Members Profile Find Members Posts New Slug Joined: 19 May 2006 Location: VA Status: Offline Points: 0	Post Options Post Reply Quote colossus911 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: George Barker Still Hates Slugs Posted: 11 Oct 2011 at 1:24pm
	I griped about this since he was elected but just wanted to throw the reminder out there since he is up for reelect. Since his election Sen. George Barker has done nothing to help slugs or slugging. Sen. George Barker Hates Slugs and Slugging One of his very first votes was to extend the Hybrid exemption for HOV lanes to allow single passenger hybrids to continue using HOV lanes. Regardless that increasing gas prices are resulting in more and more vehicles are crowding the HOV lanes and slowing the commute. And every year since Sen. Barker has proven through his votes that he hates the SLUG system and instead supports Hybrid drivers and big developers. All of this at the expense of those of us trapped in traffic behind all the single drivers in the HOV lanes. I would urge you to email him at district39@sov.state.va.us, however he hasn't responded to my repeated emails but you might have more luck.

NoSUV Members Profile Find Members Posts New Slug Joined: 14 Jan 2005 Status: Offline Points: 0	Post Options Post Reply Quote NoSUV Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 11 Oct 2011 at 2:29pm
	quote: Originally posted by colossus911 I griped about this since he was elected but just wanted to throw the reminder out there since he is up for reelect. Since his election Sen. George Barker has done nothing to help slugs or slugging. Sen. George Barker Hates Slugs and Slugging One of his very first votes was to extend the Hybrid exemption for HOV lanes to allow single passenger hybrids to continue using HOV lanes. Regardless that increasing gas prices are resulting in more and more vehicles are crowding the HOV lanes and slowing the commute. And every year since Sen. Barker has proven through his votes that he hates the SLUG system and instead supports Hybrid drivers and big developers. All of this at the expense of those of us trapped in traffic behind all the single drivers in the HOV lanes. I would urge you to email him at district39@sov.state.va.us, however he hasn't responded to my repeated emails but you might have more luck. Remember, if slugs stood in line for and took a bus instead of being freeloaders, we would: - have cleaner air - use less gas - reduce congestion by 60% - have funding for transportation improvements What we REALLY need is for more enlightened legislators like Sen Barker, who are willing to stand up to the slug lobby and advocate the more sensible commuting alternative. If only we could do away with the HOV exemption in the express lanes and make them for mass transit and hybrids only, then we would finally have a transportation solution that would be the envy of the world. Has anyone else noticed that no other community uses the slug system? And that every other community has a better commute? It shouldn't take a rocket scientist to realize the clear cause and effect.

oldgoat09 Members Profile Find Members Posts New Slug Joined: 27 Oct 2008 Status: Offline Points: 0	Post Options Post Reply Quote oldgoat09 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 11 Oct 2011 at 3:35pm
	From Wikipedia; 'slugging also occurs in San Francisco, Houston, and internationally'.

RetiredMarine Members Profile Find Members Posts New Slug Joined: 22 Jun 2009 Location: Virginia Status: Offline Points: 0	Post Options Post Reply Quote RetiredMarine Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 12 Oct 2011 at 7:31am
	Another way to reduce traffic is to require the hybirds to also have three!

mycroftt Members Profile Find Members Posts New Slug Joined: 11 Feb 2002 Location: VA Status: Offline Points: 0	Post Options Post Reply Quote mycroftt Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 12 Oct 2011 at 8:56am
	quote: Originally posted by RetiredMarine Another way to reduce traffic is to require the hybirds to also have three! I agree. It's best to go with the low-hanging fruit first. Get all single-occupant vehicles off the highway by removing incentives for their socially and environmentally irresponsible behavior.

Bodybykids Members Profile Find Members Posts New Slug Joined: 01 Jul 2010 Location: VA Status: Offline Points: 0	Post Options Post Reply Quote Bodybykids Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 12 Oct 2011 at 9:10am
	quote: Originally posted by NoSUV quote: Originally posted by colossus911 I griped about this since he was elected but just wanted to throw the reminder out there since he is up for reelect. Since his election Sen. George Barker has done nothing to help slugs or slugging. Sen. George Barker Hates Slugs and Slugging One of his very first votes was to extend the Hybrid exemption for HOV lanes to allow single passenger hybrids to continue using HOV lanes. Regardless that increasing gas prices are resulting in more and more vehicles are crowding the HOV lanes and slowing the commute. And every year since Sen. Barker has proven through his votes that he hates the SLUG system and instead supports Hybrid drivers and big developers. All of this at the expense of those of us trapped in traffic behind all the single drivers in the HOV lanes. I would urge you to email him at district39@sov.state.va.us, however he hasn't responded to my repeated emails but you might have more luck. Remember, if slugs stood in line for and took a bus instead of being freeloaders, we would: - have cleaner air - use less gas - reduce congestion by 60% - have funding for transportation improvements What we REALLY need is for more enlightened legislators like Sen Barker, who are willing to stand up to the slug lobby and advocate the more sensible commuting alternative. If only we could do away with the HOV exemption in the express lanes and make them for mass transit and hybrids only, then we would finally have a transportation solution that would be the envy of the world. Has anyone else noticed that no other community uses the slug system? And that every other community has a better commute? It shouldn't take a rocket scientist to realize the clear cause and effect.

Bodybykids Members Profile Find Members Posts New Slug Joined: 01 Jul 2010 Location: VA Status: Offline Points: 0	Post Options Post Reply Quote Bodybykids Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 12 Oct 2011 at 9:18am
	NoSUV If you are against slugging, why are you on this board with 1000+ posts? If I am going to stand in line and pay the $15 per day it would take to use the bus and metro to get to work, I might as well drive my car and pick up 2 - 3 slugs. If using the bus/metro were cost effective it might be a viable option. At this time, PRTC has made it quite clear that the resources are not there to add more buses to their fleet and PWC will not see "metro" in the area any time in the forseeable future.

NoSUV Members Profile Find Members Posts New Slug Joined: 14 Jan 2005 Status: Offline Points: 0	Post Options Post Reply Quote NoSUV Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 12 Oct 2011 at 4:06pm
	quote: Originally posted by Bodybykids NoSUV If I am going to stand in line and pay the $15 per day it would take to use the bus and metro to get to work, I might as well drive my car and pick up 2 - 3 slugs. If using the bus/metro were cost effective it might be a viable option. My point EXACTLY! If HOV could be banned, you'd be stuck actually paying for your commute. That would lead to all of the benefits listed previously - especially providing a source of transportation revenue. And like ObamaCare, if more use something, the price goes down.

VAwitch Members Profile Find Members Posts New Slug Joined: 01 May 2003 Location: VA Status: Offline Points: 3	Post Options Post Reply Quote VAwitch Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 17 Oct 2011 at 12:17pm
	quote: Originally posted by NoSUV quote: Originally posted by colossus911 I griped about this since he was elected but just wanted to throw the reminder out there since he is up for reelect. Since his election Sen. George Barker has done nothing to help slugs or slugging. Sen. George Barker Hates Slugs and Slugging One of his very first votes was to extend the Hybrid exemption for HOV lanes to allow single passenger hybrids to continue using HOV lanes. Regardless that increasing gas prices are resulting in more and more vehicles are crowding the HOV lanes and slowing the commute. And every year since Sen. Barker has proven through his votes that he hates the SLUG system and instead supports Hybrid drivers and big developers. All of this at the expense of those of us trapped in traffic behind all the single drivers in the HOV lanes. I would urge you to email him at district39@sov.state.va.us, however he hasn't responded to my repeated emails but you might have more luck. Remember, if slugs stood in line for and took a bus instead of being freeloaders, we would: - have cleaner air - use less gas - reduce congestion by 60% - have funding for transportation improvements What we REALLY need is for more enlightened legislators like Sen Barker, who are willing to stand up to the slug lobby and advocate the more sensible commuting alternative. If only we could do away with the HOV exemption in the express lanes and make them for mass transit and hybrids only, then we would finally have a transportation solution that would be the envy of the world. Has anyone else noticed that no other community uses the slug system? And that every other community has a better commute? It shouldn't take a rocket scientist to realize the clear cause and effect. I fail to see how allowing 1-occupant hybrid drivers is better than allowing a 3-4 occupant "freeloader" vehicle. In addition, how do you propose to prove slugging vs paid carpools who are by no means "freeloaders" but are removing 1-4 cars from the main lanes of traffic?

Jody Members Profile Find Members Posts New Slug Joined: 01 Aug 2006 Status: Offline Points: 0	Post Options Post Reply Quote Jody Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 17 Oct 2011 at 3:13pm
	The metro system is aging, unreliable and packed to capacity. No way would it be able to handle the additional riders. And, as someone noted, if I'm paying $15, metro had better guarantee me a seat (as the slug system does every day). The only chance VDOT had to get rid of the slug system was building the HOT lanes all the way into DC. Thanks to Arlington and Alexandria filing the lawsuit, a portion of I395 will remain HOV and carpools will continue to ride free.