TAGS has been engaged in a grass roots initiative to campaign for much needed dedicated funding for transportation in Northern Virgina. After years of work to boost transit funding, the transit community has much to celebrate at the conclusion of the '07 Virginia General Assembly legislative session. Transit was definitely a major winner in the package. The first significant transportation funding package for Virginia in more than 20 years was passed after legislative approval of Gov. Tim Kaine's amendments to transportation funding bill, HB 3202.

The legislation authorizes $3 billion in transportation bonds for statewide construction projects, as well as regional funding plans for Hampton Roads and Northern Virginia that could raise $200 and $400 million a year, respectively. If all the bill's funding mechanisms are implemented it would result in more than $1 billion a year for transportation.

Fairfax County continues to grow, exerting pressure on our countywide transportation system. Since 1999, the Transportation Association of Greater Springfield (TAGS), a non-profit association of business and community leaders and local elected officials has worked on behalf of the community to explore local transportation needs. Our goals are to improve mobility, increase safety, and provide expanded transportation choices to enhance the quality of life for your community.

Greater Springfield is emerging from the Springfield Interchange road project, one of the largest highway construction projects in the U.S., with a price tag of $676 million.

Throughout this challenging time, TAGS has sought and secured federal and local funding for the Springfield circulator service and transportation demonstration projects, which have helped keep Springfield residents and businesses connected. The Springfield TAGS bus (the “little green bus”) is a fixture in Springfield and continues to serve residents by linking them to the Franconia/ Springfield Metro station with major businesses and shopping centers in Greater Springfield. TAGS has also been instrumental in the development and redesign of the new South County Bus Service Plan to provide faster, more efficient and expanded service with more connections. Moving forward, TAGS will continue our commitment to work with Metro and the Fairfax Connector to act as the transportation advocate for the Greater Springfield community. We will continue to study and ascertain community’s transportation needs and advocate the best course of action.

Just as Greater Springfield was about to breath a sigh of relief with the completion of regional transportation projects, the Pentagon’s Base Realignment and Closure Commission (BRAC) announced that it will be relocating employees to Ft. Belvoir and the Engineer Proving Grounds (EPG). TAGS is working to educate businesses and residents and involve them in the planning process to help ensure that a balanced transportation network is included in the final BRAC plans for EPG: bus and rail service, pedestrian and bicycle pathways, and ridesharing, to name few.

We continue to face many other challenges. As gas prices continue to rise, more Virginians are deciding to save money and fuel by taking the bus, train or Metrorail to work and other destinations. Transit ridership across the state is at record levels. Yet Virginia's public transportation systems are struggling to maintain existing service levels due to under funding and rising fuel costs. Unfortunately, without a significant increase in state transportation funds overcrowding and service reductions will occur in the coming year. This will have a negative ripple effect beyond just transit riders. An overcrowded and eroding transit service will significantly increase traffic congestion by sending more commuters back onto the state's already-congested roads, causing residents to waste more time and money sitting in traffic. Reduced service will hurt those elderly, disabled and transit-dependent passengers who have no other travel alternatives and, therefore, must rely on transit service to get to medical appointments or maintain employment.

Though the passage of the transportation funding bill is a significant step in moving Virginia forward, it is only the beginning. As recognized by many of the legislators that supported HB 3202, the legislation does not solve Virginia's long-term highway maintenance, secondary and urban road, or rail needs. TAGS will continue its efforts in the pursuit of a statewide, long-term transportation funding solution that will improve the quality of life for all Virginians.

TAGS Works With Virginia Government
TAGS Letter to Gov. Kaine (PDF)
Letter From Robert Crouch, Asst. to the Governor for Commonwealth Preparedness (PDF)
Letter to State Legislators (PDF)
Response from Sen. Bell (22nd District) (PDF)
Response from Sen. Colgan (29th District) (PDF)
Response from Rep. Amundson (44th District) (PDF)
Response from Rep. Eisenberg (47th District) (PDF)
Response from Rep. Marsden (41st District) (PDF)