THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, August 13, 1996 TAG: 9608130002
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A14 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: 39 lines
Regarding the proposed ``light rail'' system that is saturating the papers and the minds of politicians in this area: It appears that once a person gets elected to public office, his or her brains go on a very long vacation.
I cannot understand why anyone in his right mind would say that our roads are too crowded and then want to stick a train right smack in the middle of the busiest intersections at the busiest times of the day.
The solution appears to be a train that would carry an acceptable number of people at the same time - one the people are willing to ride. The solution appears to be a monorail. The ``footprint'' of the monorail system would necessitate a smaller acquisition of land, resulting in a lower bottom line initially.
With this system boasting stations at key places such as the Navy base, Navy yard and, eventually, Newport News Shipbuilding, even government and shipyard employees might be inspired to give up their cars.
The proper schedules and station stops would lure tourists who could ride the train to Lynnhaven Mall, Waterside, Military Circle, Greenbrier, etc., and expose them to attractions not only at the Oceanfront but also to other worthwhile sights in the area. The monorail would eliminate their need to rent a car, their fear of driving in a strange area and, perhaps, entice the rider to travel via monorail just for the thrill of climbing aboard. Have you seen the enchanted faces of those who ride the monorail at Disney World?
Utilizing large loops of overhead tracks, the system would be unique and exciting. It is the way to go. It is the transportation of the future. People from all around the country would come to ride the five-city express. Tourist dollars would increase. Local residents would be in ``hog heaven'' on their way to work, reading the morning papers and drinking coffee instead of grumbling, complaining and getting into accidents. Imagine Independence and Virginia Beach boulevards any weekday at 5 p.m. with no traffic jam while the five-city express whizzes overhead.
FREDERICK A. ARTERS
Virginia Beach, Aug. 1, 1996 by CNB