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February 14, 2000 Editor Dear Editor: Charlottesville is fortunate to have on its City Council a tireless and effective advocate for public transportation in Vice-Mayor Meredith Richards. As a member of the House of Delegates Committee on Transportation, I have had the pleasure of working with her to advance the interests of public transportation in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Meredith Richards serves as President of the Virginia Transit Association (VTA)-an organization representing 39 of Virginia's bus and rail properties and regional transportation commissions. Under her leadership, VTA has grown to become a powerful voice for public transportation in the Commonwealth. Representing VTA, Meredith testifies before our Transportation Subcommittees, the full Committee, and other deliberative bodies of the General Assembly about the benefits of public transportation and the need for greater state investment in transit solutions. Meredith's presentation to the Governor's Commission on Transportation Policy last August was particularly well received. Meredith brings to her advocacy the perspective of a local elected official. If transit is to compete with the automobile in Virginia's cities and towns, it must offer fast and convenient service to the places people want to go. It must capture new riders who may own a car but who choose instead to use transit. It is difficult for cities to provide this kind of service, since most funding for transit comes from local sources. At a time when Virginia is facing a transportation crisis and we are preparing to spend millions of new dollars on transportation, VTA and Charlottesville Vice-Mayor Meredith Richards are sending the message that a larger share of those dollars should be invested in transit. Thanks to their efforts, the General Assembly is getting the message! Sincerely, Flora D. Crittenden (electronic mail, February 28, 2000)
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