In June 2002, the VRE Operations Board authorized the VRE Chief Operating Officer to issue a task order to Parsons, Brinckerhoff, Quade & Douglas to provide comprehensive planning services for development of a long-term (through 2025) strategic plan. The intent of the plan was to perform technical analysis and modeling to determine future potential ridership demand and the capital and operating expenses necessary to meet the demand. The plan also examined potential extensions, their impacts on ridership, and the costs of such extensions. This document was not intended to prescribe budget or policy decisions, but rather to inform the development of the out year Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) and the Six Year Financial Plan and to set a direction for VRE to pursue. The completed Strategic Plan was presented to the VRE Operations Board in May 2004.