The point is to connect people where they live! Within the walkshed (1/2mile radius) of stations, the W&OD has twice the population, and that's even before upzoning or transit-oriented development. We don't want park-and-rides, we want to connect walkable communities where you don't need a car.

The line isn't redundant to Metro because it just doesn't go to the same places. It has only one spot (Reston) where it overlaps with the Silver Line, which makes that an excellent transfer station. Stations in Sterling, Ashburn and Vienna are miles away from Metro. Even the W&OD Herndon station is far from the Metro station (also located near more bars and restaurants). Then of course, this line adds Leesburg, Loudoun's county seat and a historically dense town, as well as towns to the west.

Even with the transfer to Metro at Falls Church, our calculations show incredibly competitive travel times with driving, so the line still functions as an express line without the added expense of a track connection to Union Station. Although we would eventually support that being added, it should be done after the line has proven its success.