Virginia Railway Express Joins National Coalition for Increased Federal Investment in Transit
Virginia Railway Express Joins National Coalition for Increased Federal Investment in Transit
Getting America to Work Coalition Grows to 90 Members Across 17 States
Washington D.C. (April 15, 2014) – Virginia Railway Express (VRE), a vital commuter rail service in Northern Virginia and Washington, D.C., has joined Getting America to Work, a national coalition advocating for increased federal investment in America’s public transportation systems. VRE’s addition increases coalition membership to 90 transit agencies across 17 states – all working toward the goal of bringing transit systems into a state of good repair.
“VRE is pleased to join with many other leading systems across the country in support of necessary federal funding for our crucial transit infrastructure needs,” said Doug Allen, CEO of Virginia Railway Express. “America relies on safe and efficient transit to get millions of workers to and from their jobs. Congress must focus on the need to provide adequate and sustainable funding to ensure our transit systems achieve and remain in a state of good repair.”
“The Virginia Railway Express is an important and well-respected system in the Greater Washington region,” said Leanne Redden, Acting Executive Director of the Regional Transportation Authority in Chicago and GATW Advisory Board Member. VRE’s mission is to provide safe, cost effective, accessible, reliable, convenient and comfortable commuter-oriented rail passenger service,” said Doug Allen, CEO of Virginia Railway Express. “VRE will contribute to the economic development of its member jurisdictions as an integral part of a balanced, intermodal regional transportation system. The goals of GATW and VRE align perfectly.”
VRE provides commuter rail service from the Northern Virginia suburbs to Alexandria, Crystal City in Arlington County and downtown Washington, D.C., along the I-66 and I-95 corridors. VRE operates 30 trains from 18 stations and carries an average of 20,000 passengers daily.
Getting America to Work launched in March 2013 with 49 members – including transit agencies, councils of government, environmental groups, labor and business organizations – all dedicated to finding innovative and sustainable solutions to funding America’s transit infrastructure and address the $78 billion spending backlog needed to bring the country’s transit systems into a state of good repair.
“Getting America to Work looks forward to working with VRE to advocate for transit investment in their region and across the country,” said Leanne Redden, GATW Advisory Board Member and Acting Executive Director of the Regional Transportation Authority in Chicago. “GATW’s rapidly growing membership base is an indicator of the dire situation facing agencies and riders everywhere.”
The coalition is active in the districts of its respective transit agencies and in Washington, D.C., to highlight the importance of transit investment. GATW works alongside the first-ever Congressional Public Transportation Caucus to educate members of Congress about the economic and community benefits that result from transit spending.
Getting America to Work (GATW) is a broad coalition of commuters, businesses, officials and transportation agencies that support vital investments in public transit. GATW focuses on advocating for the capital funding necessary to bring all of America’s public transportation systems into a state of good repair. This investment will preserve and create the jobs and economic development transit supports. For more information, visit www.GettingAmericaToWork.org.
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