Contact your VA delegate & senator

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   Hi.  Jody here.  Based on the postings I've seen regarding hybrids clogging the HOV lanes, riders need to contact their  state delegates and senator about this problem.  I emailed my representatives about the increased commute time on HOV lanes.  I suggested HOV lanes be changed to HOV-3 for regular cars and Hybrid-2.  Send emails to their Richmond and district offices.  

	Or, is there a way to start a petition on-line for riders and drivers of regular cars to sign and send to all delegates?  With people moving further south but still commuting to their jobs in the District, delegates need to be aware of this on-going problem.  Right now, the drivers of regular cars and riders outnumber the hybrids.  We need to make our voices heard.

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Jody Members Profile Find Members Posts New Slug Joined: 01 Aug 2006 Status: Offline Points: 0	Post Options Post Reply Quote Jody Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: Contact your VA delegate & senator Posted: 25 Oct 2006 at 11:29am
	Hi. Jody here. Based on the postings I've seen regarding hybrids clogging the HOV lanes, riders need to contact their state delegates and senator about this problem. I emailed my representatives about the increased commute time on HOV lanes. I suggested HOV lanes be changed to HOV-3 for regular cars and Hybrid-2. Send emails to their Richmond and district offices. Or, is there a way to start a petition on-line for riders and drivers of regular cars to sign and send to all delegates? With people moving further south but still commuting to their jobs in the District, delegates need to be aware of this on-going problem. Right now, the drivers of regular cars and riders outnumber the hybrids. We need to make our voices heard.

lakeridgeresident Members Profile Find Members Posts New Slug Joined: 25 Jul 2005 Location: va Status: Offline Points: 0	Post Options Post Reply Quote lakeridgeresident Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 25 Oct 2006 at 1:20pm
	Don't worry, Jody, it's already "solved." HOT lanes will begin construction in 2008. There will be lots of solitary drivers, hybrids and otherwise, once the construction is completed. Talk to Flour-Transurban, they will own the HOT/HOV lanes. And don't think it will stay free. When the HOT/HOV lanes in California did not make enough revenue, the owner started charging HOVs (half price, but the quantity of HOVS dropped sharply after that happened).

CallmeMrSlug Members Profile Find Members Posts New Slug Joined: 21 Mar 2005 Location: Virginia Status: Offline Points: 0	Post Options Post Reply Quote CallmeMrSlug Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 25 Oct 2006 at 1:25pm
	Not only will it not be free, your tax dollars will help this private company begin charging you a toll. See the recent washington Post article I posted in the Hot Lanes thread. I would guess that since they are saying they need a 30% state kick in for financing of the beltway project, we might expect to be asked to cough up about a half billion of more for the I-95 project. Such a deal...

Bob Members Profile Find Members Posts New Slug Joined: 14 Dec 2001 Status: Offline Points: 0	Post Options Post Reply Quote Bob Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 25 Oct 2006 at 2:28pm
	It doesn't surprise me that they are now saying it wont fly without subsidies. But this thing is far from over if they think VA is going to cough up $100 MM that could be spread around to other projects. There are several ways to look at it. One is that HOT lanes in general may be in trouble because of increased costs and the traffic an revenue analysis that they have been doing. Another is that the thing will be profitable but they are just playing hardball. Also, Fluor is involved in both the Beltway and 95 projects. Maybe they decided the Beltway project was not going to be as profitable as 95 so they are playing hardball on that part or dragging their feet to delay it by 10 years.

N_or_S_bound Members Profile Find Members Posts New Slug Joined: 20 May 2005 Location: VA Status: Offline Points: 0	Post Options Post Reply Quote N_or_S_bound Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 26 Oct 2006 at 9:41am
	Where's your data reside in order to support the claim "speeds haven't decreased....one bit"? I'd like to look at a comparative study (not the results, but the data and methodology used) in order to draw my own conclusions. If they're agreeing with you, it's out of ignorance (once again) since they should be asking similar questions to mine. Unless they're just trying to placate you and I wouldn't be so presumptuous as to rule that out either. NoSb SOV because you can, HOV because you care!

SpongeBob Members Profile Find Members Posts New Slug Joined: 06 Oct 2004 Location: VA Status: Offline Points: 0	Post Options Post Reply Quote SpongeBob Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 26 Oct 2006 at 11:11am
	Thank you, NOSUV, for once again inserting your unwelcome and uninformed schnozz in here. This morning, we ran into a heavy backup before Glebe on the carpool lanes. Two hype-breads in front of us, three behind us. All solo drivers. This was about 8:15 a.m. VDOT itself, worthless as the agency is, has at least recognized the reality that hypies are clogging the carpool lanes. Are you really mo' stupid than VDOT? Is that even possible?

DC2RV Members Profile Find Members Posts Master Slug Joined: 28 Feb 2002 Location: VA Status: Offline Points: 1014	Post Options Post Reply Quote DC2RV Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 26 Oct 2006 at 1:21pm
	Until now I've stayed out of the fray - but I have to say that the only point NoSUV has is the one on top of his head. Jody points out that commuting times have increased. Numbnut immediately denounces her saying speeds haven't decreased. Or was there some invisible ink in Jody's message that only he could read? btw - I disagree with Jody's HOV-2 suggestion for Hybrids. Hybrids should have the same number of people in them as any other vehicle.

N_or_S_bound Members Profile Find Members Posts New Slug Joined: 20 May 2005 Location: VA Status: Offline Points: 0	Post Options Post Reply Quote N_or_S_bound Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 26 Oct 2006 at 1:23pm
	Agreed with DC2RV on the #s to be carried in each vehicle. Similar to the challenges for HOT, how does one adequately (let alone accurately) count the number of passengers in each vehicle using existing technology without stopping every vehicle for a visual inspection? NoSb SOV because you can, HOV because you care!

Jody Members Profile Find Members Posts New Slug Joined: 01 Aug 2006 Status: Offline Points: 0	Post Options Post Reply Quote Jody Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 01 Nov 2006 at 10:40am
	NoSUV - Commuting time has increased on the HOV lanes with the addition of SOV drivers. And based on the other posters here, they agree. You're entitled to your opinion - no matter how wrong you are.

NoSUV Members Profile Find Members Posts New Slug Joined: 14 Jan 2005 Status: Offline Points: 0	Post Options Post Reply Quote NoSUV Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 01 Nov 2006 at 11:32am
	Jody, If you add 300,000 people to a region without any transportation improvements do you: a. Expect all traffic to move as smoothly as before b. Expect traffic in Express Lanes to move as smoothly as before with additional commuters all traveling in the Regular Lanes c. Blame slowdowns in the Express Lanes not on more commuters but on the initiative to encourage consumers to slow the rate of Global Warming and reduce fuel consumption.