To the Editor:
Delegate Plum may be granted a modicum of exultation, although his commentary "Silver Line No Silver Bullet" (Connection, July 2-8, 2014) could well qualify as the understatement of the decade.
He recognized from the outside that Rail to Dulles would be a costly venture for Toll Road users, boasting in cost mitigation of having lobbied successfully in Richmond to "keep tolls down." Well, perhaps, I'm not hearing whoops of delight from Toll Road users, though.
He says airily that "some will complain about tolls and fares," but the rail service will help us "take advantage of the rich cultural resources of our region." Well, ok as far as it goes. Riders will certainly be able to savor the scenic attractions of the Tysons area as the train stops thereabouts four times in under 10 minutes (plenty of "doors opening" announcements) on its way to East Falls Church.
Delegate Plum was, he says, formerly the lone politician calling for this venture and he will, as one of its most enthusiastic protagonists, be held to considerable account when the verdict is in.
We look forward after an assessable period of Silver Line Phase 1's operation to Delegate Plum's report on total operating and maintenance costs, actual ridership, cost-recovery projections, loan-repayment plans, and further dips into the free-money box in Richmond.
Harry Locock
Reston