Expanded bus service from Culpeper not likely

Imagine taking a bus to Charlottesville for a medical appointment, or using that same bus service to commute to Fauquier or Fredericksburg.

That’s what Virginia Regional Transit representatives hope to provide in the near future.

But after pitching the idea to the Culpeper County Board of Supervisors, those plans won’t become reality any time soon.

The combination of a slumping economy and $180,000 in annual costs to the county immediately put a stop to the transit agency’s multi-jurisdictional transit proposal.

The board did not vote on the matter, but its members did not seem eager about pursuing it.

“Looking at this and the current budgetary environment, and with everything that we’re going to be seeing in the next year or two, I would not put this as a top priority,” Supervisor Tom Underwood said.

Underwood acknowledged that people may want or need this expanded service, but he suggested keeping the focus on public safety, education and other core priorities.

During a 25-minute presentation, VRT consultant Chris Bell said the recommended services would be included in a six-year transit development plan.

If approved, buses would transport Culpeper riders to and from destinations in Charlottesville, Manassas, Fauquier County and Fredericksburg.

Bell cited general mobility, medical trips, employment and higher education as key reasons.

“This is a plan meant to identify the transit needs in the county as well as the town,” he said, explaining that he understood the current economic situation.

Buses would likely make six trips a day (three in the morning and three in the evening) to surrounding regions.

Supervisor Sue Hansohn mentioned the recent partnership between the University of Virginia Medical Center and Culpeper Regional Hospital.

“There will be a lot more services offered in Culpeper,” she said, “and there may not be that huge need to go to Charlottesville. So we’re trying to keep folks at home.”

Bell’s initial study excluded fare information.

He said those costs would likely be revealed during the project’s final stages.

Rhonda Simmons can be reached at 825-0771 ext. 125 or .

Proposed VRT routes from Culpeper
- U.S. 29 to Charlottesville
- U.S. 15 and U.S. 29 to Manassas
- Route 229 and U.S. 29 to Fauquier
- Route 3 to Fredericksburg