[Ethrane]

"Rail to Dulles is the single most important transportation investment that we can make in Northern Virginia," said Gerald E. Connolly (D), chairman of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors.

Then why doesn't the Northern VA/Washington DC governments/populations pay for it themselves? I mean, it must be going to pay for itself, no? After it's built with federal tax dollars (and I'm to the tune of six-figures/yr), if it turns a profit, who gets the proceeds?

[MinorityRepublican]

After it's built with federal tax dollars (and I'm to the tune of six-figures/yr), if it turns a profit, who gets the proceeds?

It's not going to turn in a profit. No mass-transit system in the nation is self-sufficent.

[steve-b]

Then why doesn't the Northern VA/Washington DC governments/populations pay for it themselves?

Because NoVA's gasoline tax money was siphoned off and stolen to pave every cow path downstate.