Let me see if I’ve got this straight. According to the Manassas Journal-Messenger, there’s a canopy over the Virginia Railway Express station at Manassas Park — a canopy that’s the same size as those at other VRE stations.
But the City Council of Manassas Park wants a bigger canopy — one big enough to cover the entire train platform.
Because VRE and City Council disagree on whether or not their contract provides for a bigger shelter, City Council is refusing to pay the city’s $25,540 share of the purchase of 50 new VRE rail cars needed to replace expiring leases and aging equipment.
Six other localities along the VRE route have kicked in about $1.25 million for the new rail cars. Manassas Park is the only hold-out. But without the participation of all seven localities, the state of Virginia will not contribute critical matching funds.
Here’s the irony: Without the funds to buy new cars, VRE will have to cut the number of rail cars in service. That means fewer passengers, which means that Manassas Park won’t need that bigger canopy anyway!
