Layne, asked how the state transportation board could support expansion of the light rail system from Norfolk into Virginia Beach, which has no population mass convenient to the system, and when money could be better used on other projects, said he was remaining noncommittal. He couldn't say light rail is the answer to anything.
He acknowledged that the current taxpayer subsidy of $9.50 per $1.50 ridership ticket sold is steep.
He said he and the board is more interested in moving goods and services by road and rail than in moving tourists to Virginia Beach. Those are the state’s primary priorities.
But he clearly had no stomach for light rail despite its popularity among the self-interest politicos in the two cities.
The Saturday TLP meeting was a magnet for the increasing crop of school board and council candidates, each of whom was given two minutes to speak. They included mayoral candidates Richard (RK) Kowalewitch, Wally Erb; council candidates, Don Weeks and Chuck Smith, vying for the Kempsville Borough seat, Kenny Golden opposing Councilwoman Rosemary Wilson for an at large seat, Eric Wray and Chris D. Arney, candidates for the school board.
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