Business View Magazine l January 2023

214 BUSINESS VIEW MAGAZINE VOLUME 9, ISSUE 12 population and nearly 1 in 4 driving eligible Virginians between the ages of 16 and 34 don’t have a driver’s license, it is important to not only look at public transportation and how it can benefit our communities today, but also how transit can be a driving force to attract the workforce and businesses of tomorrow. Two of the main factors for Amazon’s decision to locate their 2 nd headquarters in Virginia were our qualified workforce and the accessibility of a multitude of public transportation options from Arlington Transit, Metro, Virginia Railway Express, and Amtrak to their new headquarters. Amazon’s decision opened a lot of eyes among the business community and elected leaders about the importance that public transportation plays in attracting and building a 21 st Century economy. An example of Virginia’s effort to look ahead is VDRPT’s Transit Equity and Modernization Study. This unprecedented two-year study took a far- ranging, holistic, and comprehensive approach to view public transit from the bus stop to the CEO. A couple of needs that have emerged from the study so far are the shortage of “last foot” facilities (sidewalks, crosswalks, streetlights) connecting to the state’s 15,000+ bus stops along with the lack of first-world features at those stops such as seating, shelter, and real-time arrival information. This study also conducted the first statewide review of how to begin transitioning Virginia’s 2,148 diesel and gas-powered transit vehicle fleet from carbon- based fuels to zero-emission technologies. While the data and information that the study provided are certainly mind-opening and a little bit daunting, it is the first step toward making wise investments to build a world-class transit network. In that regard, Virginia is showing the nation how to evolve, innovate, and adapt to better serve our communities. Public transportation in the Commonwealth is not only positioned to come out of the pandemic stronger than before, but we’re well positioned to serve as a foundation to help build a robust, diverse, and green economy of tomorrow.