Delegegates Betray Us - Extend Hybrids

from Freelance Star Feb 23 2006:

Extending HOV privileges for hybrid cars hurts slugs
February 23, 2006 12:50 am


Thank you for the coverage of the House of Delegates' vote to extend hybrid vehicle privileges on the I-95/395 HOV lanes [Hybrids still OK in HOV--for now, Feb. 15]. This and the earlier Senate vote demonstrate that improving regional transit is not a priority for our legislators.

The slug system is the most efficient transit program on the I-95/395 corridor. It transports 12,000-15,000 commuters at no cost and saves participants at least 40-60 minutes each way.

The slug system is faster and more reliable and carries more than twice the volume of the VRE Fredericksburg line.

These 15,000 commuters use the HOV to its greatest capacity. No governmental involvement, no commissions, no special licenses.

They don't buy tickets; they don't get a tax break or a voucher. An offer, a smile and a mutual destination, and all do well by doing good.

The slug movement is the most successful grass-roots action in Virginia's recent history.

Since 2001, the commute for slugs has slowed. This has been due to the addition of single-rider hybrids in the HOV lanes.

Slug riders and drivers have accepted this with the certainty that July 2006 would be the end of hybrid exceptions.

However, at the urging of the Virginia Auto Dealers Association, delegates and senators will extend the exception and allow these losses to worsen.

Affluent hybrid owners pay (and are repaid through tax credits) to avoid doing the right thing.

With the exception of Mark Cole, no delegate or senator is interested in moving people.

Money talks. Freight and cars have priority over people and will continue to do so unless we do something about it. The HOT lanes will be the next step in crushing the slug movement.

I urge all of us who benefit from slugs to contact our representatives and tell them the July 2006 date is what they promised. They should keep their word.

The big vote for this is tomorrow. McQuigg has not yet taken a stand and will be sending a mass email today to constituents to get feedback. Really the time to call is today.

Just wanted to mention that in the Virginia House yesterday, the one year hybrid extension passed the Transportation Committee. So it looks like the one yr extension will be voted on (and no doubt pass).

The bill is HB1248 which originally ended the sunset provision, but has now been modified with a 2007 date, same as the Senate Bill. To see the text of the bill click under "Full Text" 2/08/06

http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504.exe?ses=061&typ=bil&val=hb1248&Submit=Go

Lets fire up those keyboards folks.

Ray,

Saw the same segment on the evening news the other day.
Good publicity for ole Willie. But the reporter did say that Willie's fuel is 10% bio and 90% regular diesel, and it costs about $0.10 more per gallon than regular diesel. Didn't say anything about improving or decreasing MPG. At least it puts some of the money in US farmers' pockets. [8D]

Finally, some sense: YES NoSUV, I agree that public transportation is a solution to the problem of traffic congestion and foriegn fuel dependency, but how do you think the electricity used to run METRO is made? Try coal-fired power plants (still a fossil fuel). But mass transit is still a viable step in the right direction.

Now if we could address the cost issues: METRO prices have become cost prohibitive. I figure my monthly METRO fare and parking expenses at about $229., or $2748. per year, unsubsidized! Hmmmmm, would I rather pay metro fares, or would I rather put my kids through college? Although I agree that mass transit is a viable solution, it has become way too expensive for me to consider it as an option. Besides, I have made some good friends slugging!