2012 General Assembly Update

Our primary goal heading into the 2012 Virginia General Assembly legislative session was to secure funding for the Virginia Intercity Passenger Rail Operating and Capital Fund (IPROC) to sustain Virginia’s six regional trains. These trains connect 4 in 5 Virginians and because they have the ability to travel at speeds up-to 110 mph, they are the perfect foundation for the Commonwealth’s Intercity and High Speed Rail Program.

In addition to providing over 70 percent of Virginians with a reliable, efficient, and affordable transportation option, the Commonwealth’s regional trains have seen their ridership grow by 79% during the last five years. This tremendous increase in ridership has made Virginia’s two regional corridors, the Piedmont (Lynchburg-Charlottesville-Washington) and Golden Crescent (Hampton Roads-Richmond-Washington), two of the top three best performing routes in Amtrak’s regional system.

However, due to a federal mandate passed in 2008, Virginia is required to take over the majority of the costs

General Assembly continued on page 2

Interview with DRPT Director Thelma Drake

What accomplishment are you most proud of during your first three years leading VDRPT? The return of passenger rail to Norfolk for the first time since 1977, and for the first time, Amtrak passenger service will head north to Richmond, DC, NYC and as far as Boston. Thanks to our fantastic partners at NS, CSX, Amtrak, the City of Petersburg, and the City of Norfolk, this is happening in just three years time. The reorganization of the agency to be more cost effective, to have the best people in the positions best suited to maximize their talents and the ability to add their services across both the rail and transit divisions. The agency is now positioned to be a key player at the transportation table. I have learned a lot about trains! What has been the thing that has most surprised you about leading VDRPT? How much work and responsibility is done by very few dedicated staff members; true professionals who believe in safeguarding tax payer dollars and providing the best service possible to Virginians. A reporter once called this agency “the little agency that could.”

The critical importance of an effective public transportation system is job creation and economic development. I think we

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often don’t realize that the number one reason localities have reached out to DRPT to create new service is employers looking to establish businesses in their area but won’t unless there is a means for employees to get to work. Are there any opinions that you had regarding transportation which have been changed since taking over VDRPT? Being a former member of Congress and the Virginia General Assembly,

this position has brought me to a new level of thinking. I now have a much better understanding of the importance of transportation choices and the goal to maximize existing infrastructure to reduce the number of cars and trucks on the roads. Additionally, I have a greater understanding of the significant investment local governments contribute to establish and maintain transit services in their jurisdiction. Do you feel that the successes of Virginia’s regional trains are changing the minds of Virginians? And why? Virginians

Director Drake Interview continued on page 4

Winter 2012 News from Virginians for High Speed Rail

Thelma Drake, Director VA Dept. of Rail & Public Transportation

associated with the operation of the four regional trains that operate from Newport News and Richmond-Staples Mill. Today those trains are fully funded by Amtrak. These four regional trains are in addition to the Lynchburg and Richmond Regional trains that Virginia launched through a partnership with Amtrak in 2009 and 2010. To fully sustain all six of Virginia’s regional trains the Commonwealth will need $300 million during the 2013-2019 fiscal years. The federal mandate goes into effect in October of 2013.

To sustain Virginia’s regional trains over the next two years, Governor McDonnell and leaders in the General Assembly appropriated $26.1 million to-be transferred from the Virginia Rail Enhancement Fund to the Virginia Intercity Passenger Rail Operating and Capital Fund. This money was included as part of the state’s 2013-2014 biennial budget, and will be used to ensure the continued operation of all Virginia’s regional trains through June 2014.

The Virginia Intercity Passenger Rail Operating and Capital Fund also received $28 million from the 2011-2012 biennial budget through an amendment championed by Senator John Watkins, founder and immediate past chair of the Virginia-North Carolina High Speed Rail Interstate Compact. This funding will be used to capitalize IPROC and allow Virginia to make investments in the state’s rail infrastructure or match future federal rail grants. While sustaining the Commonwealth’s regional trains is vital, also making sure that we continue to make investments to improve reliability, increase trip speeds, and reduce trip times is nearly as vital, as well as making improvements that allow the state to expand and increase service.

One of negative items that moved through the General Assembly was the elimination of the Virginia Intercity Passenger Rail Operating and Capital fund’s safety net which was included with its creation in 2011. The safety net allowed the Commonwealth’s Transportation Board (CTB) to direct up-to 10 percent of the transportation trust fund to IPROC in the event that the General Assembly did not provide funding. While Governor McDonnell and the

General Assembly continued from page 1 legislature directed funding for FY 2013-2014, IPROC does not have a dedicated, sustainable, and reliable source of revenue to ensure the long-term viability of the Commonwealth’s regional trains. Thus, with the removal of the CTB safety net and only two years of funding available for the Virginia regional trains, their survival beyond FY2014 is uncertain.

Finding a long-term, dedicated, and sustainable source of funding for the Virginia Intercity Passenger Rail Operating and Capital Fund is a top priority for Virginians for High Speed Rail during the 2013 General Assembly.

Yvonne Miller was first elected to the Virginia State Senate in 1987 after serving four years in the Virginia House of Delegates. She was the first African-American woman elected to both the Virginia House of Delegates and the Virginia State Senate.

Miller was born in Edenton, North Carolina, and raised in Norfolk, the eldest of thirteen children. In 1956 she received a B.S. degree from the segregated, all-black Norfolk Division of Virginia State College, now Norfolk State University, and began teaching in the then-segregated Norfolk Public Schools.

Miller later earned an M.A. degree in the summer Teacher's College program at Columbia University and a Ph.D from the University of Pittsburgh. She joined the education faculty at Norfolk State, becoming a professor and head of the Department of Early Childhood/Elementary Education. In 1999 she retired and was named Professor Emeritus.

At the time of her passing, Senator Miller was the longest serving woman in the Virginia Senate, and in 1996, she became the first woman to chair a Senate Committee. Between 2007 and 2011, Miller chaired the Senate Transportation Committee. From its formation until her passing Senator Miller served as one of the two Virginia State Senate representatives on the Virginia-North Carolina High Speed Rail Compact.

Her leadership on the rail issue included the introduction and passage of the study “Funding Strategies for State Sponsored Intercity and High Speed Passenger Rail”. This study led to the creation of the Virginia Intercity Passenger Rail Operating and Capital Fund which can be used to sustain Virginia’s regional trains, match federal transportation grants, and invest in passenger rail infrastructure. Senator Miller was a tremendous supporter of passenger trains, especially the extension of Virginia Regional service to Norfolk which she proudly represented.

Senator Yvonne Miller was a true friend and advocate of passenger rail and her leadership on the issue will be greatly missed.

Senator Yvonne Miller July 4, 1932—July 3, 2012

love trains. They are, however, very surprised when they learn that Virginia’s state sponsored passenger trains, combined, recover their operating cost. Providing new passenger rail service to a region such as Hampton Roads with the Norfolk launch in December, or increasing passenger service such as in Lynchburg and Richmond, has increased public awareness and support for passenger train services. There is a sense of ownership among Virginians and the increase in ridership is something all Virginias should be proud of. Amtrak Virginia Lynchburg has proven to be the best performing state sponsored passenger rail service in the Amtrak system. The decision Virginia made to join Amtrak as the 15th state to provide state funded Amtrak regional service and implement an incremental approach to service expansion to regions where ridership will support it is part of Virginia’s great success. How important are “last mile” connections to the success of Virginia’s regional trains, and vice versa? Connectivity is the ultimate goal and as such, it is important to support all modes of transportation. People need to know how they can

reach their final destination. The Tide in Norfolk is a perfect example. The light rail system connects to the existing bus services and will connect to the new Amtrak Virginia service. People in this region will soon be able to utilize multiple modes of transportation to reach their destination, whether it is within Hampton Roads, or in Richmond, Northern Virginia and beyond. In a perfect world with all the stakeholders on board, where would you like to see the Commonwealth’s Intercity and High Speed Rail Program in 5 and 10 years? Realistically, and in a perfect world, and if federal construction funding is available, and if federal regulations and requirements are reduced as outlined in the new transportation bill, I would hope and think that the Commonwealth would be ready to start construction of major rail improvements in the Richmond to DC corridor and that we would be under

Director Drake Interview continued from page 1 construction of the Richmond to Raleigh segment. It is hard to predict the status of high speed rail to Norfolk as we still do not have a record of decision on that route, but the Commonwealth has laid the framework for a three train service operation for South Hampton Roads in the interim and a six train service operation once the high speed corridor is achieved. What are the top two or three things that leaders on the federal level, both Congressional and Executive (US DOT/FRA), can do to help Virginia make its Intercity and High Speed Rail Program more successful? Federal leaders must develop a national plan for true high speed rail in America. They must also answer the question as to whether we work towards true high speed rail by developing separated Right-Of-Way or if we continue to commingle with freight. Commingled freight limits the speed and frequency passenger trains can run, but there is a benefit to the utilization of existing freight corridors for incremental development. There needs to be a federal plan, vision, and set of priorities for connectivity and Virginia should be in the center of such a plan. What do you see as the biggest hurdle that Virginia faces in the next year in regards to its rail program? Funding. First we must ensure that we have the revenue source to continue to operate the two Amtrak Virginia intercity trains the Commonwealth runs today, as well as successfully fund operations of the four additional Amtrak trains that Virginia will be required to assume in October 2013 as part of federal legislation. We will also need a capital fund to be able to expand Virginia service. The Commonwealth will need to decide if it will continue to invest in upgrading freight lines for intercity passenger service and provide new service to more Virginians, or will Virginia focus on true high speed rail, which provides faster speeds but is much more expensive and takes many years longer to develop and is contingent upon federal dollars. What can regular citizens or business leaders do to help improve and expand Virginia’s regional trains? Ride the state supported train. Showing good, strong ridership will enable Virginia to continue to expand service. Any last comments? It has been a wonderful opportunity to be the Director of the Department of Rail and Public Transportation and being part of how Virginia moves people and goods. Transportation choices, reducing the number of single occupant vehicles, and expanding the use of our current infrastructure is a challenging mission. I am very fortunate to work with such an incredible staff that is committed to this goal.

Rendering of the new Norfolk Amtrak station at the Harbor Park multi-modal

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