How to Scare the Politicians on HOT

You would think that with THOUSANDS of folks at risk to lose the luxury of free ridership (as slugs) and minimized commute times (as drivers) that there would be a ROAR of opposition.

Instead the majority just sit back passively and EXPECT that someone ELSE will lobby FOR them.

The grim reality (and truth) is there are very FEW worker bees and far too MANY who love to sit back and savor on the honey.

I can say that I have done my part in getting the word out and voicing my opposition to elected officials and news media.

Thanks to all who have done likewise!

Cavvie,
With regards to your post, I disagree with this part of your comment:
"The HOT lanes however, which affect only the slugging community and therefore a much smaller portion of the voting population..."

HOT does *not* impact only the slugging community. As I have stated in feedback I gave for the online survey, I think an important point is overlooked where the citizens of the entire Commonwealth are impacted because this is a fundemental change in how VDOT is handling transportation, without their yea or nay as to this change. You actually support that yourself when you say "...unless the Commonwealth wants to buy out Fluor at a significant cost." THAT is why I think this is something that needs to be promoted across the Commonwealth. If this is only discussed as a slugging issue, then the message is dismissed by those that don't slug or use the lanes. When HOT impacts the wallets of all taxpayers (the risk of a 60 year deal with no details made available as to the risks and impacts [financial or other] of a bailout) then this is a big deal to everyone else.

I am talking to everyone I know that doesn't commute up the highway or slug, etc. to make this very point and to tell them they need to get informed and involved and then I send them the petition link. (I am sure I have reached a point among my friends and colleagues where they have all silently agreed not to ever use the word "hot" within my hearing just so they don't have to hear it again.... )

I am not trying to argue with you, just to try to get you to think and talk beyond the point of this only affecting the slugging community-- and urge you to make this point among people you know that may not slug either.

Sheepish, you're right. I agree that it will affect everyone. I meant to say that politicians and most citizens, if they even know about this conversion, seem to think it will only affect the slugging community right now and therefore doesn't pose a risk politically. Once the contract is signed and everyone realizes it is 24/7, then the politicians will hear the outcry from everyone. The difference is at that point the General Assembly can claim contractually there is nothing they can do and, in addition place all the blame on VDOT for signing such a bad deal and if they had only known they could have stopped it. Then they walk away smiling, knowing they have more revenue from Northern Virginia to spend everywhere except Northern Virgnia and there isn't a thing the citizens can do about it. Oh, maybe the delegates from Prince William or Stafford might get voted out, but that won't affect the rest of the General Assembly. They can go back home and campaign on how creative they are in socking it to those Northern Virgninians without having to increase any tax on the rest of the Commonwealth.

With HOT lanes in effect 24/7, the trucking industry will use them to cut down their commute time on the I395 corridor. Seriously doubt Fluor, VDOT or the VA legislature will limit the type or number of vehicles that can access HOT lanes.

Unfortunately or fortunately, VDOT has said that semis will not be allowed on the HOT lanes. That was stated recently at the Woodbridge mtg. So that is apparently a non-issue.

Bob