More for Metro?

Despite grim budget situations, some transit advocates are calling on local governments to contribute more for transit services. The regional transit authority that operates Metrorail and Metrobus has a dire budget situation of its own and may have no choice but to make serious cuts to service and hikes to fares.

How could Metro ask local governments for more when most other government operations are expected to be cut drastically? And if I drive, why should I care?

Service cuts, fare hikes, or a combination of the two could lead to what many have described as a "death spiral." As transit services get slower, become less frequent, lose capacity, cost more, and serve fewer neighborhoods, more people will switch to driving themselves where they need to go, further reducing transit ridership and revenue while putting more stress on highways.

Thanksgiving Roundup

The Washington Metropolitan Council of Governments is finalizing Region Forward, a proposal for comprehensive region-wide guidelines on sustainable long-term growth and development. The report identifies regional problems and goals in land use, transportation, environment, energy, economy, and housing. Comments on the proposal are due by the end of the week (Nov. 30).

If you were worried the gas tax might go up, you have less to worry about. WTOP predicts hikes are a no-go with the incoming administration in Richmond. What's interesting is that both the pro- and anti-highway advocates want a higher gas tax (to fund and discourage automobile lifestyles, respectively). Virginia's (17.5 cents per gallon) is the lowest in the region (D.C., 20; N.C., 26.6; Md., 23.5; Pa., 31.1; Del., 23; W.Va., 20.5).

Meanwhile, the federal gas tax is still subject to adjustment and the problem of taxing gas is open to debate. One recent study points out that highways are largely subsidized (just like rail, buses, and other modes) and that non-users of road pay a large share of that subsidy.

Are budget shortfalls even news anymore? The Virginia Department of Transporation is facing more big cuts, with a public hearing Dec. 1 in Richmond.

A concept that Gov. Tim Kaine ran with this past summer is back: telework. Now Rep. Gerry Connolly is touting the concept for the federal government and working on legislation that would push government agencies toward more teleworking, according to WAMU. What if I-66 as it is in August were a year-round phenomenon?

The Fairfax County Times has a lot of eye-popping stats on deer and deer-related accidents, including "an estimated 400 deer per square mile" in Bull Run Regional Park, next to Centreville. (According to the Times report, a number above 20 is a reason for environmental concern.) Always drive safely, folks, and watch out for deer.

You know what suburbs are, you've heard of exurbs too, but what about boomburbs? USA Today brings us another story along the lines of housing trouble in bedroom communities. Is Centreville a boomburb? Centreville is one of the bigger clumps of residential housing in the county without a town center. Sociology professor Robert Lang recommends boomburbs become "a little less sprawly, a little more village-like with clustered development, denser housing."