Why isn't there more commuter parking?
There is a shortage of commuter parking in our area affecting both bus patrons and those who "slug". We have a need for far more parking along the Route 1 Corridor. I have brought this need to the attention of the Virginia Secretary of Transportation and have held lengthy discussions concerning it with the Directors of both the Potomac Rappahannock Transportation Commission (PRTC) and the Virginia Railway Express (VRE) as well as during deliberations with our state legislators and the Board of County Supervisors.
The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) continues to state they have a shortage of funds which I find very frustrating since our own county is providing substantial funds for rail and bus service throughout our community. Simply stated, if VDOT cannot fund road improvements for which they are responsible then we should have expectations that they would accommodate additional parking to ease the commute of our citizens. Both requirements clearly are the function and responsibility of the state and not our local county government. We have undertaken the widening of roads through Bond Referenda and are doing much of what rightfully belongs to the state.
