Don’t like traffic? Support public transit

Traffic congestion is a major factor for most northern Virginia residents. With the Silver line coming, Reston and Tyson’s Corner residents, employers and employees have particular concerns as we expect traffic patterns to change, most likely increase.

Now I am NOT saying that you can’t drive or you have to take the bus. However, if OTHER PEOPLE take the bus, bike, walk or carpool, instead of drive, there will be less cars on the road. This means drivers will have to share the road with less people. It also will reduce the need for road widening and maintenance. There are many people, myself included, who have a car and drive sometimes but also ride the bus, cycle, carpool, and walk when it is convenient. Personally, I have found it more enjoyable to cycle or walk for short trips, avoiding the traffic altogether.

Anyways, The Economist posted an article on June 19th about the efficiency of proof-of-payment fare-collection systems and makes an economic argument for free transit systems. I have used proof-of-payment systems in California and Texas and found them work well. A person can buy their tickets at the transit stop, board the vehicle without showing proof of purchase and ride. Only rarely, would a conductor walk through the vehicle and check tickets. Fellow riders informed me that the fines were very steep if you were caught without a ticket, so most people paid.

Also, in the town I went to college in, all the students paid a $3 a year transit fee with our tuition. This funded the public transit system for the entire community. Everyone could ride the bus for free and did. This meant less traffic and parking. There are many ways to reduce traffic congestion besides more roads. In a community like Reston, we could easily increase the use of buses, thus reducing traffic congestion.

Could free buses help reduce traffic congestion in Reston? Would the RA or RCC support transit by contributing more to public transit in Reston? Or improving bus stops? How about some benches and shelters? And improved pathways to transit? Better public infrastructure and less traffic will do wonders to increase our property values.

Reston is changing and growing, let us come together and think of creative solutions to our traffic problems instead of focusing on the negative.