Spending $1.5 billion to bring Rail 2 miles past the airport is not the answer to Loudoun's problems. It will necessitate increased taxes, increased traffic, and increased tolls- none of which make Loudoun a desirable place to live or locate a business. Loudoun can Opt Out and Fairfax and MWAA will still build Metrorail to Dulles and possibly Rt. 606 (MWAA has commercial development planned for their land surrounding the station). From the proposed Rt. 772 developments, we can have buses take commuters the 1.9 miles to the Rt. 606 station, or 5.2 miles to the Rt. 28 station. Loudoun's commuter buses are faster, more comfortable, more economical, and more flexible than Rail. Opt Out, pay nothing, and the development will come anyway, if it's economically feasible.

Thank you Tyler for a reasoned approach.

The “just makes sense” argument is an obvious give away to a Pollyanna who doesn’t give much thought to the other side of the story.

The issues raised by opposition to the “deal” are more than noteworthy and give me some feeling that there is leadership here in VA. Sure rail to VA would be nice but at what price to principles, budget flexibility, waste and local autonomy. People opposed to rail are just making sense to the people who have to pay for it.

In the end, let’s hope Loudoun gets an equitable deal.

Metro does make sense, and Robert, we already paid those taxes. They are sitting in Richmond being distributed by the politicians. Not much of that redistribution of wealth winds up coming back up here to us, the people who drive this state. So excuse me if I think we deserve to tools to do a better job of making our money so they can take some of it and we can support the rest of the states programs.

Yes to Metro

The Metro will create more jobs and better access to DC. It will get commuters off of hellish roads, and help clear up rush hour traffic into DC. The bus system here is not cutting it. I welcome the metro into Loudoun County.

I, too, think that we would miss an opportunity if we let Metro pass us by. Ask the businesses in Georgetown if they regret not supporting a metro stop (or the residents who have to fight for parking with visitors). The fact of the matter is that business want to locate where there is easy transportation access for their employees and customers. And I don't think it's an either-or option regarding commuter buses. We can certainly have both, as long as there is enough demand (which I think there will be). However, if we change our minds 10 or 20 years down the road, after we see all the business development that is going to Fairfax, it's just going to cost us even more. Certainly, there should be a tight rein on costs, but I think Loudoun would make a big mistake by pulling out of this.

Those in favor of metro at any expense have not investigated and analyzed the financials associated with joining MWAA. You will have to help pay for the Capitol costs for all of Metro. It has been analyzed by professional not associated with Metro, If Loudoun County Gov't takes on the expenses, your taxes will most likely increase by 1200 per year at a minimum, the tolls will increase for DTR and Greenway, traffic will increase on the free roads. The Lesser study showed that the increase in jobs and economy is minimal with Dulles to Rt 772.
So, if ones mind in exgaged, follow the money and investigate the studies to make an intelligent opinion.

It does make sense...excellent letter. YES to metro in Loudoun County!

It makes perfect sense:

"Since the creation of the Metro, over $200 billion has been added in property values within half a mile of Metro stations, the DC region has been able to mitigate the growth of traffic and avoid an additional $11 billion in road infrastructure spending, and the land value near Metro stations generates nearly $3 billion per year in property tax revenue, ten percent of that being directly attributable to Metro."

Well said, Tyler.

The great majority of us want the metro, look at the polls. The time has come, and it is about time. We need the Metro!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Opposing metro will not turn Loudoun back into a rural county. Opposing metro will not stop development. We will continue to see traffic grow, we will continue to send our money to richmond, regardless. If we get metro, we get another tool for dealing with some of the results of the growth that is happening.

Commuter buses are a useful tool, not an answer. A fully loaded 8 car metro train carries 1480 passengers. Trains run every 8 minutes at peak. A loudoun county bus can hold 67 passengers. Even with trains not being 100% full at the end of the line, it isn't practical to run enough buses to replace metro. Adding more commuter buses is a great plan, and the subway station is the hub for bus routes. As the sprawl continues to grow over the years, we can only hope that the subway will continue west, and additional lines will develop radiating out from key locations, such as tysons and leesburg. A northbound metro line into maryland would be very nice, and might help to encourage a river crossing in a useful place, somewhere between the beltway and outer nowhere.

Well said Tyler! YES to Metro!!

I agree Paul, stopping metro will not turn Loudoun County back into rolling fields and cow pastures. The people opposed to the Metro do not like change and are stuck in a day that does not exist in this area anymore. Loudoun has grown and grown, but out transportation systems have not. It's time we accept that these changes are permanent and put in good public transportation.

Yes to Metro

The Metro will get a lot of commuter traffic off of congested roads. In the long run this will reduce carbon emissions. It's the same principal as carpooling. Go green. Go Metro.