Northern Virginia Transportation Commission
Encyclopedia
The Northern Virginia Transportation Commission (NVTC) is an independent agency in the Commonwealth of Virginia
to promote and improve transportation. It covers the Counties of Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun, and the Cities of Alexandria, Falls Church, and Fairfax. NVTC manages the Northern Virginia Transportation District. That District was created by the 1964 Acts of Assembly of the Commonwealth of Virginia, chapter 630; and the Transportation District Act. The stated purpose of the Transportation District Act is to develop transportation systems encouraging orderly growth and development of urban areas of the Commonwealth for the safety, comfort, and convenience of its citizens and for the economical utilization of public funds.
The Commission's voting members are: five nonlegislative citizen members from Fairfax County
, three nonlegislative citizen members from Arlington County; one nonlegislative citizen member from Loudoun County
, two nonlegislative citizen members from the City of Alexandria, one nonlegislative member from the City of Falls Church, one nonlegislative citizen member from the City of Fairfax
, and the Chairman of the Commonwealth Transportation Board
or his designee.
The primary role of the Commission is to collect a tax surcharge to fund Virginia's share of the Washington Metro system and to appoint four representatives to the Washington Metropolitan Area Transportation Authority (WMATA) board. Such funds are "dedicated" to support the Metro system meaning that Virginia agreed to be legally obligated to match the federal contributions toward the Metro systems capital expenditures. Traditionally, the Commission selected some of its own members to serve on the WMATA Board. However, in June 2010, Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell
threatened to withhold Virginia's "dedicated" payment to WMATA unless the Commission appointed at least two people of his chosing to the WMATA Board. On June 24, 2010, McDonnell withdrew his request to appoint two members of the Metro Board as a precondition for making the scheduled "dedicated" payment under the 2008 agreement.
Together with the Potomac and Rappahannock Transportation Commission
, NVTC operates the Virginia Railway Express
commuter rail system.
The American Public Transit Association selected NVTC as the outstanding government agency for 1996.
Virginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
to promote and improve transportation. It covers the Counties of Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun, and the Cities of Alexandria, Falls Church, and Fairfax. NVTC manages the Northern Virginia Transportation District. That District was created by the 1964 Acts of Assembly of the Commonwealth of Virginia, chapter 630; and the Transportation District Act. The stated purpose of the Transportation District Act is to develop transportation systems encouraging orderly growth and development of urban areas of the Commonwealth for the safety, comfort, and convenience of its citizens and for the economical utilization of public funds.
The Commission's voting members are: five nonlegislative citizen members from Fairfax County
Fairfax County, Virginia
Fairfax County is a county in Virginia, in the United States. Per the 2010 Census, the population of the county is 1,081,726, making it the most populous jurisdiction in the Commonwealth of Virginia, with 13.5% of Virginia's population...
, three nonlegislative citizen members from Arlington County; one nonlegislative citizen member from Loudoun County
Loudoun County, Virginia
Loudoun County is a county located in the Commonwealth of Virginia, and is part of the Washington Metropolitan Area. As of the 2010 U.S. Census, the county is estimated to be home to 312,311 people, an 84 percent increase over the 2000 figure of 169,599. That increase makes the county the fourth...
, two nonlegislative citizen members from the City of Alexandria, one nonlegislative member from the City of Falls Church, one nonlegislative citizen member from the City of Fairfax
Fairfax, Virginia
The City of Fairfax is an independent city forming an enclave within the confines of Fairfax County, in the Commonwealth of Virginia in the United States. Although politically independent of the surrounding county, the City is nevertheless the county seat....
, and the Chairman of the Commonwealth Transportation Board
Commonwealth Transportation Board
The Commonwealth Transportation Board, formerly the State Highway and Transportation Board, regulates and funds transportation in Virginia. It oversees the Virginia Department of Transportation.-Membership:The Board consists of seventeen members:...
or his designee.
The primary role of the Commission is to collect a tax surcharge to fund Virginia's share of the Washington Metro system and to appoint four representatives to the Washington Metropolitan Area Transportation Authority (WMATA) board. Such funds are "dedicated" to support the Metro system meaning that Virginia agreed to be legally obligated to match the federal contributions toward the Metro systems capital expenditures. Traditionally, the Commission selected some of its own members to serve on the WMATA Board. However, in June 2010, Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell
Bob McDonnell
Robert Francis "Bob" McDonnell is an American politician who has been the 71st Governor of Virginia since January 2010. A former lieutenant colonel in the United States Army, McDonnell served in the Virginia House of Delegates from 1993 to 2006 and served as Attorney General of Virginia from 2006...
threatened to withhold Virginia's "dedicated" payment to WMATA unless the Commission appointed at least two people of his chosing to the WMATA Board. On June 24, 2010, McDonnell withdrew his request to appoint two members of the Metro Board as a precondition for making the scheduled "dedicated" payment under the 2008 agreement.
Together with the Potomac and Rappahannock Transportation Commission
Potomac and Rappahannock Transportation Commission
Potomac and Rappahannock Transportation Commission is the public transportation system in Prince William County, Virginia, plus two adjacent independent cities, Manassas and Manassas Park, that together are surrounded by the county. Services provided by PRTC include OmniRide, OmniLink, and...
, NVTC operates the Virginia Railway Express
Virginia Railway Express
The Virginia Railway Express is a regional/ commuter rail service that connects the Northern Virginia suburbs to Union Station in Washington, D.C., via two lines: the Fredericksburg Line from Fredericksburg, Virginia, and the Manassas Line from Broad Run/Airport station in Bristow,...
commuter rail system.
The American Public Transit Association selected NVTC as the outstanding government agency for 1996.