The present Virginia Metropolitan Areas Transportation Study Commission is the second such commission to be so named. The Commission was created- on the recommendation of the first Metropolitan Areas Transportation Study Commission, created pursuant to Senate Joint Resolution No. 21 of the 1968 Session of the General Assembly, that a new study group be appointed to formulate a comprehensive program for transit. Necessary matters for consideration were suggested as follows:

Transportation District Act of 1964

Evaluate the Transportation District Act of 1964 m relation to the establishment of Regional Transit Authorities.

Regional Transit Authorities

Number?
Locations?
Powers and Duties?
Should establishment be voluntary or mandatory?
Composition?

Franchises

In-depth study of franchises and their relation to the State Constitution, State Corporation Commission and local governing bodies.

Financial Assistance for Transit

Should the State make a financial commitment to transit?

If so, what form should assistance take?

a. Match portions of federal grant projects?
b. Loans?
c. State level grants?
d. Special projects?
e. Additional tax relief?

Public Ownership vs. Private Ownership

Investigate the feasibility and the economic desirability of acquiring privately owned transit with the objective of improving overall transit service and ridership.

School Bus Service

Study the possibility of aid for the transportation of city school children, the merit of yellow school bus requirements for State aid, and the effect State regulations have on urban transit operation and local citizen school bus costs.

Federal Programs

How can present and future federal aid programs for transit be most effectively used in Virginia?

Highway Program and Mass Transit

How can the Highway Program be directed to complement and support urban transit operations?

As a consequence of such recommendation Chapter 659 of the 1970 Acts of Assembly was enacted creating the present Commission. Its mission as stated in such Act is as follows:

§ 2. The Commission shall proceed to conduct a thorough study of transportation needs in the metropolitan areas of the Commonwealth, utilizing the work prepared by and for the Virginia Metropolitan Areas Transportation Study Commission of 1968-1970 and shall examine the following areas, in addition to such other matters which it deems relevant: the Transportation District Act of 1964, regional transit authorities, franchises, financial assistance for transit, public versus private transit facility ownership, school bus service, relevant federal programs, the State's highway program in relation to mass transit, and the proper State organization to implement transit programs and transportation activities in the Commonwealth.

Pursuant to this study directive the Governor appointed Ludwig Benner, Jr., Oakton; Delegate Henry 0. Lampe, Arlington; Charles Majer, Annandale; A. Leslie Phillips, Arlington; Stuart Shumate, Richmond; and J. Wistar Stowe, Lynchburg. The President of the Senate appointed Senators William F. Parkerson, Jr., Henrico, and Edward E. Willey, Richmond. The Speaker of the House of Delegates appointed George B. Anderson, Danville; William M. Dudley, Lynchburg; and John R. Sears, Jr., Norfolk. Douglas B. Fugate, Commissioner, Department of Highways, and Charles H. Graves, Director, Division of State Planning and Community Affairs, served as ex officio members of the Commission. Robert H. Kirby as Mr. Graves' successor in office succeeded him as an ex officio member of the Commission. The Commission elected as its Chairman John R. Sears, Jr., and as Vice-Chairman Henry 0. Lampe.

It proved necessary for the Commission to have staff and advisers. Richard K. C. Sutherland, Assistant Attorney General, acted as counsel. K. M. Wilkinson, Transportation Planning Engineer, Department of Highways, and Richard B. Robertson, Chief, Transportation Planning, Division of State Planning and Community Affairs (later succeeded by Spencer H. Elmore), served as advisers. The Virginia Advisory Legislative Council and the Division of Statutory Research and Drafting made staff and facilities available to carry out the study, David T. Walker, succeeded by Laurens Sartoris and Robert B. Cousins, Jr., being assigned to assist the study group.

Early in the course of the Commission's deliberations it became clear that the services of a professional consultant with expertise in the transportation field would be required. For this purpose the consulting firm of Wilbur Smith and Associates was retained. This firm has offices throughout the nation and the world with its local representatives housed in Richmond, who were therefore always available for consultation.

Following its creation the Commission held frequent meetings. Featured at many of these were the multiple progress reports submitted by the consultant and the contributions made by the staff advisers. The members were able to exchange ideas and provide direction to the consultant, so that in part, at least, the consultant's report reflects the guidance of the Commission. In addition to the regular meetings held at the State Capitol, the Commission held a two-day meeting in northern Virginia to examine the problems of urban mass transit firsthand. There the members conferred with representatives of the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission, the Department of Transportation and the Washington Metropolitan Area Transportation Authority, the last of which is responsible for the METRO system (subway).

After months of exhaustive research and analysis, the consultant made its final report, entitled Public Transportation Needs in Virginia's Urban Areas, to the Commission. Such report is submitted herewith as supporting material for the conclusions reached by the Commission. The consultant's report sets out the total urban transit picture in Virginia and a broad spectrum of solutions to many present and future problems. From this wealth of information the Commission has extracted the most critical problems and now makes recommendations which it believes to be the best current alternative solutions. Careful examination of the consultant's report in its entirety is urged for therein is provided a view of the past, present and future of the Virginia transit scene, a knowledge of which will allow for the enactment of sufficient measures to cope with problems in advance of their becoming insurmountable.