Virginia Transportation 2006 and Beyond Pennsylvania, Partnerships, Priorities and Persuasion By: Fritz Knapp
In the fall of 2004, Pennsylvania's Transportation Alliance (PA Alliance), a group of transportation advocates who promote affordable and accessible mobility for all residents of the Keystone state, seeded Virginia with approximately $30,000 to start-up a Virginia Transportation Alliance (VTA). Virginia, like Pennsylvania, has limited public transportation options for those outside a few large metropolitan areas. Over the course of five years, however, the PA Alliance netted huge gains for people in the lesser populated areas of the state through a pilot program passed by their legislature. From five counties originally to now 16, the Ride Share Program extends transportation to elderly and disabled consumers and has provided independence to hundreds of Pennsylvanians.
In September 2004, as Hurricane Jeanne raged outside, 65 stoic advocates met in Roanoke for the inaugural Virginia Transportation Summit, sponsored by the newly- formed VTA. A host of government officials, headed by Sen. Phillip Puckett, addressed the concerns of those in attendance that Virginia's transportation needs weren't being satisfied. Sen. Puckett, whose southwest Virginia constituency has quite possibly the highest concentration of shut-in adults in the Commonwealth, spoke passionately of his desire to bring the 21st Century to rural Virginia in terms of transportation.
The mission now is to persuade those in Virginia's legislature that positive change with regard to transportation is their duty and responsibility. The VTA has joined forces with Virginians for Better Transportation (VBT) to push for an economically-sound, socially prudent solution to Virginia's nagging transportation woes.
Now is the time for change, and a social critic would note that even the state of Florida, the electoral whipping boy, provides rides to all citizens who need them. In fact, Florida has one of the most progressive programs in the nation and should be a model for states such as Virginia.
Anyone with elderly parents, who is a wheelchair user, or who cares about those who must depend on others for mobility, knows how poorly Virginia ranks in transportation solutions. In fact, one might say that it's a drag on our quality of life, in a state blessed with so much in natural resources, physical beauty and historical significance. A friend recently debated whether to move his quadriplegic father to Richmond to live near him based on what he perceived to be insufficient transportation options. I informed him of the options in Richmond, which made his decision somewhat easier, but there are many other areas of Virginia where lack of mobility is the rule rather than the exception.
The VTA, in partnership with VBT, is calling for innovative and bold solutions to Virginia's transportation problem during the 2006 General Assembly, but the grassroots effort needs to be fertilized with the political equivalent of Miraclegro before change will occur. We call upon those who believe it's timeVirginia for better transportation to join us. Quality of life, strengthening our economy, and giving people a chance to join the ranks of the mobile and self-sufficient are the goals of our partnership. Help make change a reality, not just a dream long delayed for many Virginians whose voices are just now being heard.
Join VBT to show your support for long-term, multi-modal transportation solutions for the Commonwealth. For more information, log on to www.itstimevirginia.org.
Fritz Knapp is executive director of Virginia Transportation Alliance and a member of the Virginians for Better Transportation executive council.
