Rail News
March 1, 2009: Richmond Times-Dispatch "Virginia’s big firms lobby hard in D.C., recession or not"
Submitted by VHSR on March 1, 2009 - 3:00am. Rail NewsTen of Virginia's top 20 revenue-producing public companies combined to spend more than $100,000 a day lobbying the federal government last year, records show.
As CEOs grappled with a sliding U.S. economy and then-candidate Barack Obama targeted corporate influence in Washington, eight Virginia-based companies -- including the Richmond area's Altria Group Inc., Genworth Financial Inc. and Dominion Resources Inc. -- each spent more than $1 million in 2008 trying to influence lawmakers.
March 1, 2009: DC Examiner "Stimulus package increases transit riders’ perks"
Submitted by VHSR on March 1, 2009 - 3:00am. Rail NewsThe federal economic stimulus package will give local public transportation riders a bigger break starting today, with the transit benefit allowance increasing from $120 a month to $230.
Some employers pass along that allowance as a direct tax-free perk, while others let employees pull the money from their paychecks before taxes. Some do both or offer it as a one-time bonus.
For those whose employers pay the full amount, that translates to $2,760 tax free a year. For transit riders who get the pre-tax benefit, the program can amount to 15 percent to 42 percent savings on commuting costs, according to Arlington Transportation Partners.
February 26, 2009: DC Examiner "VRE trains’ on-time rates beat expectations in January"
Submitted by VHSR on February 26, 2009 - 3:00am. Rail NewsVirginia Railway Express trains arrived on time in more than nine out of every 10 trips last month, marking the best monthly performance record for the commuter train service in years.
The improvement came after the system added a few extra minutes into the schedule on the frequently delayed Fredericksburg line, although a train system spokesman downplayed the significance of the schedule change to the system’s on-time performance.
“Clearly it plays into it, but I don’t think it’s a monumental thing,” VRE spokesman Mark Roeber told The Examiner.
February 23, 2009: The News & Advance "Second passenger rail from Lynchburg to D.C. inches forward"
Submitted by VHSR on February 23, 2009 - 3:00am. Rail NewsA Northern Virginia commuter rail line has given its first approval to changes that would allow Amtrak to operate a second daily passenger train between Lynchburg and Washington, D.C.
The Virginia Railway Express board altered an agreement it has with CSX Corp. and the state of Virginia, clearing two time slots in VRE’s pact so they can be used by two other trains. One would operate between Lynchburg and Washington, and the other between Richmond and Washington.
February 23, 2009: WCAV "New Rail Route Through Charlottesville is Funded"
Submitted by VHSR on February 23, 2009 - 3:00am. Rail NewsTrain service from Lynchburg to Washington D.C. by way of Charlottesville is on track. The project clears its biggest obstacle of paying for it.
The state already has money in the budget for rail. It will not come out of the general fund. A new service on these tracks could bring faster and more reliable rail through Charlottesville.
February 22, 2009: The Free Lance-Star "All of Spotsylvania will benefit from VRE"
Submitted by VHSR on February 22, 2009 - 3:00am. Rail NewsAll of Spotsylvania will benefit from VRE
This is regarding Alfred M. King's letter ["Spotsy will help only 'fat cats' with VRE," Feb. 5].
Mr. King just doesn't get it. It is not an "us vs. them" mentality of native-borns and come-heres.
All Spotsylvanians will benefit by the county joining VRE. That 2 percent gas tax is not going to break anyone's piggy bank.
February 22, 2009: The Daily Press "Here's a plan that will really stimulate Virginia's economy"
Submitted by VHSR on February 22, 2009 - 3:00am. Rail NewsWithout a doubt, the economy and the subsequent decrease in available revenues are the most pressing problems facing all levels of government. The recent report from Virginia's Department of Planning and Budget indicates that the already reduced state revenues of $3.2 billion over the past three years will be reduced again by as much as another 15 percent or approximately another $400 million to $500 million.
February 20, 2009: The Virginian-Pilot "Light-rail parcel in Va. Beach not worth $40M, appraisal says"
Submitted by VHSR on February 20, 2009 - 3:00am. Rail NewsWhile city officials work to raise $40 million to buy the old Norfolk Southern rail line, a city appraisal says the land is worth much less.
The city won’t release the appraisal, citing “ongoing negotiations,” but officials familiar with it said it values the corridor, the likely route for a light rail project, at about $6 million. The assessed value of the rail line – the amount Norfolk Southern pays taxes on – is $7.3 million.
February 17, 2009: VaNcNews.com "Trail proposed to run beside high-speed rail"
Submitted by VHSR on February 17, 2009 - 3:00am. Rail NewsA public hearing held Thursday about the pedestrian and bicycling trail proposed to run through the eastern end of Mecklenburg County as part of the proposed Southeast High Speed Rail Project brought out just a handful of people to ask questions and hear details.
The East Coast Greenway trail, allowing bicyclist, walkers, skating and even equestrian enthusiasts the opportunity to enjoy the beauty of rural Virginia, will run parallel with the Southeast High Speed Rail Project (SEHSR) through La Crosse, officials said.
February 18, 2009: The Fairfax Times "Moran focuses on transportation, energy"
Submitted by VHSR on February 17, 2009 - 3:00am. Rail NewsFormer Alexandria Del. Brian Moran speaks often about continuing the agenda of Virginia's last two Democratic governors, Mark Warner and Tim Kaine.
But to fulfill a centerpiece of his campaign, the 49-year-old Democrat must succeed where both governors have failed: pass a viable transportation plan that is rejected neither by the voters (Warner) or state Supreme Court (Kaine).
