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Legislators Experience The "Orange Crush"

June 30, 2010
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By Patrick Madden

Legislators from all over Virginia will be riding Metro, Virginia Railway Express and Northern Virginia buses today and tomorrow to see up close, the transportation issues confronting the region.

The goal is to give Virginia officials, particularly those living down state, a chance to take part in a "real commuting experience," as one spokeswoman put it.

That means riding Metro's Orange Line during rush hour, which has been dubbed the "Orange Crush" by riders.

They'll also visit the Pentagon Transit Center to navigate rush hour at the world's largest office building. Kay-la Quintana is with Northern Virginia Transportation Commission, the group organizing the tour.

"we are showing where the challenges are, but we are also showing them what we have done to overcome those challenges, how they can help us to continue down the path of good investment and success in transit Northern Virginia," says Quintana.

Quintana says she hopes the tour will allow these 18 state delegates and senators to see first hand how some of the funding decisions they make in the General Assembly affect the economy and overall quality of life in Northern Virginia.

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