THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Monday, July 3, 1995 TAG: 9506280010
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A12 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Editorial
LENGTH: Medium: 58 lines
When Michael Townes, executive director of the Peninsula's mass-transit system, dreams of a regional transit system, he sees some sort of fixed guideway system - a train, a monorail or flexible buses connected into a kind of train on wheels.
A family of tourists staying at the Oceanfront could board the system there and ride to Colonial Williamsburg or take spur lines to Nauticus, Norfolk Naval Base, Hampton Air and Space Museum, Jamestown Festival Park, Busch Gardens, the Pottery.
``Marketers of tourism tell me,'' said Townes, ``the typical American traveling family is looking for a place where there are varied venues. We have that. We have history. We have science. We have the oceanfront. But we don't tie it together. People don't think, `Well, in Hampton Roads, we could go to Colonial Williamsburg in the morning and do the beach at night.' ''
Step one for Townes' dream to come true is a merger between PENTRAN, the transit system for Newport News and Hampton that also serves York County, and Tidewater Regional Transit, serving South Hampton Roads.
TRT Executive Director James C. Echols has delayed his retirement, scheduled for July 1, for a whole year in hopes that TRT and PENTRAN can merge. Townes set the odds of a merger at 50-50.
A joint system would have economy of scale, plus greater clout in seeking federal, state and local funds. And it would be a much-needed sign that the entire region can cooperate.
Highways are so good, and mass-transit systems have lagged so far behind, partly because the former are paid for by the state, the latter mainly by cash-strapped cities.
With state funding and a merged system, the dream transit system might someday be built. The whole state would benefit if this whole region were marketed as an incredibly diverse and entertaining region - no driving required.
Advertisements could say: ``Park your car at your hotel and ride a modern transit system to these fascinating spots.'' Then it could list or show them.
And an important point unrelated to tourism: The majority of bus riders are going to or from work. A better transit system would contribute to the governor's efforts to get welfare recipients working. And potential employers would look with favor on a region with unclogged roads.
Essen, Germany, has flexible buses that act like trains on wheels. Mass-transit officials at the Research Triangle in North Carolina reportedly are looking at the flexible buses as a more efficient way to move lots of people while reducing traffic.
Now is the wrong time for Hampton Roads to fall further behind progressive economic regions. Our road into the future must not be choked by traffic. by CNB