Hampton Roads Transit

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Hampton Roads Transit
HRT bus on the Atlantic Avenue Route 33 as seen in May 2009.
Founded1999
Headquarters3400 Victoria Blvd.
Hampton, VA
LocaleHampton Roads
Service areaNorfolk, Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Portsmouth, Hampton, Newport News, Smithfield
Service typebus service, light rail, ferry, carpool
Routes71
HubsDowntown Norfolk Transit Center (DNTC), Hampton Transportation Center (HTC), Newport News Transportation Center (NNTC)
StationsRail: 11
Ferry: 3 (additional port at Harbor Park for baseball games)
FleetBus: 300+
Rail: 9
Ferry: 3
Daily ridership23,400 (weekdays, Q4 2023)[1]
Annual ridership7,263,900 (2023)[2]
Fuel typeDiesel, Diesel-electric
Chief executiveWilliam E. Harrell[3]
Websitegohrt.com

Hampton Roads Transit (HRT), incorporated on October 1, 1999, began through the voluntary merger of PENTRAN (Peninsula Transportation District Commission) on the Virginia Peninsula and TRT (Tidewater Regional Transit a.k.a. Tidewater Transit District Commission) in South Hampton Roads and currently serves over 22 million annual passengers within its 369-square-mile (960 km2) service area around Hampton Roads. The purpose of the HRT is to provide reliable and efficient transportation service and facilities to the Hampton Roads community. In 2023, the system had a ridership of 7,263,900, or about 23,400 per weekday as of the fourth quarter of 2023.

Hampton Roads is located in southeastern Virginia. The Hampton Roads metropolitan area has a population of 1.6 million. Its service area consists of the cities of Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Portsmouth, Hampton, Newport News, Williamsburg (Colonial Williamsburg) and the town of Smithfield. The entire service area population is 1.3 million. HRT also serves the area's major college campuses of Christopher Newport University, Hampton University, Norfolk State University, Old Dominion University, Virginia Peninsula Community College, and Tidewater Community College.

HRT logo used from 1999 to 2012

Effective January 1, 2012, the City of Suffolk, Virginia chose to withdraw from the Transportation District Commission of Hampton Roads and since, HRT no longer provides transit services within Suffolk. However, a couple HRT routes do connect with the Suffolk Transit service, which is provided by Virginia Regional Transit.[4]{{

Governance[edit]

Hampton Roads Transit is governed by the Transportation District Commission of Hampton Roads (TDCHR). The TDCHR was established in accordance with Chapter 45 of Title 15.2 of the Code of Virginia, as amended, referred to as the Transportation District Act of 1964 and by ordinances adopted by the governing bodies of its components governments.

The Transportation District Commission of Hampton Roads, HRT's governing body, consists of 13 members, one elected official and one citizen representative from each city served by Hampton Roads Transit, and the chairman of the Commonwealth Transportation Board (CTB), or a designee. The six Hampton Roads cities that participate rotate the chairmanship each year. The Honorable Richard W. "Rick" West (Chesapeake) is the current chairman.

There are five established committees that provide input to the governing body. These committees are listed below: Executive Committee, Audit/Budget Review Committee, Operations & Oversight, Planning and New Start Development, Paratransit Committee, and Commission Effectiveness (Ad hoc).

Leadership[edit]

William E. Harrell is the current president and CEO of Hampton Roads Transit.[5] Harrell went to Hampton Roads Transit from Chesapeake, Virginia, where he was the city manager since June 2007. Harrell replaced interim CEO Phillip A. Shucet on April 2, 2012.[6]

Phillip A. Shucet was hired in February 2010 as an interim CEO to help complete construction of The Tide light rail while the company searches for a permanent replacement for long-time executive director Michael Townes. Townes was pressured by the board of directors and ultimately agreed to step down after the revelation of a $100 million cost overrun and a one-year delay on Norfolk's light-rail starter line, which has been named "The Tide". Shortly previously, Townes had been criticized for his handling of an employee embezzlement scheme. While he had not been directly involved in the earlier problem, a majority of the board members cited poor management and communication on his part in calling for him to step down.[7]

Funding[edit]

Hampton Roads Transit has approximately $30,000,000 dedicated revenue source from the Commonwealth of Virginia.[8] Additional funding for service is provided with federal, state and local funding provided by member jurisdictions and farebox revenues. Local funding is provided based on the Cost Allocation Agreement – each city establishes how much service will be provided within its borders based on how much it is willing to pay for those services after all federal, state, and farebox revenues are applied. This means that the numbers of routes, service frequency, and service coverage areas as operated by Hampton Roads Transit are determined in each city during the annual budgetary cycle.

Corporate timeline[edit]

NOTE: This section begins with the introduction of rubber-tired buses to the transit operations in Hampton and Newport News, following many years of public transit service performed earlier and during the transition by horse-drawn and electrically powered streetcars utilizing rails embedded in the streets and roads of the area.

Year Activity Cities served
1944 The Virginia Transit Company begins operating rubber-wheeled bus service in Hampton Roads. Norfolk, VA
1945 The Citizens Rapid Transit Company begins operating rubber-wheeled bus service on the Virginia Peninsula, thus ending an era of streetcar service in Hampton Roads. Newport News, VA and Hampton, VA
January 1973 Tidewater Regional Transit (TRT) service begins, with the creation of the Tidewater Transportation District Commission (TTDC); and acquires the Virginia Transit Company, Norfolk Division TRT service begins in Norfolk and Virginia Beach
January 1974 Peninsula Transportation District Commission (PTDC) created
April 1975 PENTRAN service begins, as the PTDC acquires the Citizens Rapid Transit Company PENTRAN service begins in Newport News and Hampton
May 1975 The TTDC acquires the Community Motor Bus Company of Portsmouth TTDC expands, with TRT service to Portsmouth, VA
1977 James City County Transit begins service within Colonial Williamsburg and James City County, Virginia Williamsburg, VA not yet served by PENTRAN, nor TRT until 2004.
late-1970s/early-1980s Service expansion to Chesapeake, VA, including communities such as South Norfolk, Great Bridge, Western Branch, Deep Creek and to the newly opened Greenbrier Mall Chesapeake, VA
early-1990s Service expansion to Suffolk, VA, exclusively to Tidewater Community College and downtown Suffolk Suffolk, VA
1995 Crossroads service begins, linking the Virginia Peninsula cities with South Hampton Roads with local bus service for the first time in the region since special tunnel buses were discontinued many years earlier.
October 1, 1999 TRT merges with PENTRAN and forms Hampton Roads Transit (HRT). HRT begins with bus service already existing in Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Portsmouth, Newport News, Hampton, and Suffolk.
June 2008 The MAX (Metro Area Express) began service with eight routes linking all six Hampton Roads Cities. Norfolk (Norfolk Naval Base, Downtown Norfolk), Virginia Beach (Silverleaf, Oceanfront), Chesapeake (Greenbrier Mall, Chesapeake Square Mall), Portsmouth (Downtown), Victory Crossing, Newport News (Transit Center, Northrop Grumman), and Hampton (Transit Center).
August 2011 Virginia's first light rail line Tide Light Rail opens to the public. Passengers were offered free rides from the August 19th grand opening until August 28. More than 30,000 people rode the Tide the first day.[9] EVMC/Ft. Norfolk, York St./Freemason, Monticello Avenue, MacArthur Square, Harbor Park, Norfolk State University, Ballentine/Broad Creek, Ingleside, Military Highway, and Newtown Road.
January 2012 City of Suffolk withdrew contract with HRT to operate public transit in Suffolk.[10]
January 2016 Downtown Norfolk Transit Center Downtown Norfolk Transit Center opens, giving Norfolk a true bus-hub for HRT services. Sixteen bus bays serves the complex. Previous bus hubs were Monticello Avenue (the current site of the Wells Fargo Tower), the back of Cedar Grove city parking lot (which became a safety issue) & Monticello/Fenchurch as the transit center was being built.
Fall 2022 MAX rebrands as 757 Express 757 Express is a newly-expanded service serving commuter routes, limited-stop routes & regular routes having 15-minute peak frequency.

Bus fleet[edit]

The HRT fleet inventory as of January 2020, consisted of 294 vehicles, including 267 diesel buses, 37 hybrid buses and 10 trolley-style buses. The majority of the fleet, a total of 280 buses, were manufactured by Gillig and Novabus. The HRT fleet also includes 7 Novabus buses, 12 Optima buses and 10 Trolley-style buses manufactured by Chance. HRT acquired 11 Gillig hybrids in June 2011 to replace the Chance trolleys in the Summer of 2014. HRT has required to buy 7 Novabus which they are contracted to the Elizabeth River Crossings and to be using for Routes 44, 45 and 47.

Hampton Roads Transit's Bus Fleet were originally decorated with all white buses with a two line blue & green wave from the system's former logo which is similar to math's approximate (≈) symbol. New buses since 2006 have a wave going from the back, then becomes smooth through the front and have frameless windows. All Hybrids and the two 2006 Optima Opus' are in the blue background. All MAX buses have a silver background with sky blue & solid blue wave colors. Select buses which had the two-line wave logo have been repainted with the newer back wave design and the exterior window rows are painted black around the windows to resemble the newer buses. Since 2012, several buses were repainted into the silver/blue wave style like the MAX brand with the agency's new stripe logo. Newer buses for the 757 Express Service include a white background with sky-blue and navy-blue triangles connecting at the back. The original 3000 series buses have been re-wrapped to the current 757 Express livery.

Number Year Model Image Length Engine model Transmission Fuel Garage Notes
1201–1227 1999 Gillig Low Floor 35 feet (10.67 m) Cummins ISC Voith D864.3 Diesel Victoria Blvd Hampton
18th St. Norfolk 		Last buses under Pentran and TRT.
1400–1409 2001 Chance Opus 30 feet (9.14 m) Cummins ISB Allison B300R Diesel 18th St. Norfolk Several have been refurbished in 2013.
1500–1513, 1515–1516 2002 Gillig Low Floor 35 feet (10.67 m) Cummins ISC Voith D864.3 Diesel Victoria Blvd Hampton
18th St. Norfolk 		1514 retired due to fire
1600–1614 2002 Gillig Low Floor 29 feet (8.84 m) Cummins ISC Voith D864.3 Diesel Victoria Blvd Hampton
18th St. Norfolk
2000–2020 2006 Gillig Low Floor 40 feet (12.19 m) Cummins ISL Voith D864.3E Diesel 18th St. Norfolk First buses with frameless windows
1410, 1415–1416 2006 Optima Opus 30 feet (9.14 m) Cummins ISB Allison B300R Diesel 18th St. Norfolk 1415 & 1416 are the system's first blue background colors, originally test buses for shuttles, however they are used for any regular route in the system. 1415 & 1416 will retire
2021–2039 2007 Gillig Low Floor 40 feet (12.19 m) Cummins ISL Voith D864.3E Diesel Victoria Blvd Hampton
18th St. Norfolk
3000-3025 2007 Gillig Low Floor 40 feet (12.19 m) Cummins ISL Voith D864.5 Clean Diesel Victoria Blvd Hampton
18th St. Norfolk 		Coach styling
MAX buses
4000 – 4023 2008 Gillig BRT Hybrid 29 feet (8.84 m) Cummins ISB-02 Allison EP40 hybrid system Diesel-Electric Hybrid Virginia Beach Trolley Base
18th St. Norfolk 		First hybrids purchased by HRT, usually found in Virginia Beach.

Buses 4015-4023 are the BRT roofed hybrids used for Downtown Norfolk's NET shuttle.

2040–2046 2008 Gillig Low Floor 40 feet (12.19 m) Cummins ISL Voith D864.5 Clean Diesel 18th St. Norfolk First buses with square sided windows on bus doors
3026-3035 2008 Gillig Low Floor 40 feet (12.19 m) Cummins ISL Voith D864.5 Clean Diesel Victoria Blvd Hampton
18th St. Norfolk 		Coach styling
MAX Express Buses, also equipped with cargo attachments above some seats.
4024-4025 2009 Gillig BRT Hybrid 29 feet (8.84 m) Cummins ISB-07 Allison EP40 hybrid system Diesel-Electric Hybrid Virginia Beach Trolley Base
2047–2052 2011 Gillig Low Floor 40 feet (12.19 m) Cummins ISL9 Voith D864.5 Clean Diesel Victoria Blvd Hampton
4026-4036 2011 Gillig BRT Hybrid 29 feet (8.84 m) Cummins ISB6.7-10 Allison EP40 hybrid system Diesel-Electric Hybrid Virginia Beach Trolley Base Newest Hybrid shuttle buses on HRT's fleet
5000-5008 2012 Gillig Low Floor 35 feet (10.67 m) Cummins ISL9 Voith D864.5 Clean Diesel 18th St. Norfolk First buses manufactured with the new logo.
5009-5013 2013 Gillig Low Floor 35 feet (10.67 m) Cummins ISL9 Voith D864.5 Clean Diesel Victoria Blvd Hampton Newest regular service buses on HRT's Peninsula fleet.
5101-5107 2014 Nova Bus LFS 40 feet (12.19 m) Cummins ISL9 Allison B400R Clean Diesel 18th St. Norfolk Newest regular service buses on HRT's Southside fleet. Designated specifically for Routes 44, 45, and 47 as part of an effort to improve service along the three routes. Such improvements are being carried out as part of HRT's agreement with Elizabeth River Tunnels.
101-114 2015 Hometown Trolley 35 feet (10.67 m) Cummins ISB6.7 Allison B300 Clean Diesel Virginia Beach Garage New trolleys being used for the Virginia Beach Oceanfront seasonal shuttles
5014-5018 2015–2016 Gillig Low Floor 35 feet (10.67 m) Cummins ISL9 Voith D864.5 Clean Diesel Hampton & Norfolk Garages 5014 & 5015 were delivered in mid 2015. 5016, 5017 & 5018 were delivered in late 2015 in a 32-bus order with the 29 2100-series buses. The latter three buses have a plexi-glass compartment to protect bus operators.
2101-2129 2015–2016 Gillig Low Floor 40 feet

(12.19 m)

Cummins ISL9 Voith D864.5 Clean Diesel Hampton & Norfolk Garages 29 of 32 were delivered in late 2015 in part of a 32-bus order. All buses have a plexi-glass compartment to protect bus operators.
2130-2133 2017–2018 Gillig Low Floor 40 feet

(12.19 m)

Cummins L9 Voith D864.6 Clean Diesel Hampton and Norfolk Garages 2130 was being delivered in mid to late 2017 with a Q Straint wheelchair stand. 2131-2133 was being delivered in June 2018 with installed new fareboxes and new technology being installed
5019-5025 2018 Gillig Low Floor 35 feet

(10.67 m)

Cummins L9 Voith D864.6 Clean Diesel Hampton and Norfolk Garages
3101-3105 2018 Gillig Low Floor 40 feet

(12.19 m)

Cummins L9 Voith D864.6 Clean Diesel The new 3100 series Coach styling
MAX Bus Express.
4101-4113 2018 Gillig Low Floor 29 feet

(8.84 m)

Cummins L9 Voith D864.6 Clean Diesel Hampton and Norfolk Garages
6001-6006 2020 Proterra Catalyst BE40 E2 40 feet

(12.19 m)

UQM HD220 220 kW peak permanent magnet motor Eaton EEV-7202 2-speed auto-shift EV transmission Battery Electric Southside First electric buses for HRT.[11][12]

On July 18, 2011, it was announced that the Commonwealth of Virginia has signed an umbrella contract with New Flyer Industries for the provision of buses to any Virginia transit authority.[13] It remains to be seen whether or not the contract will include buses for HRT, but highly unlikely due to their contract for Gillig buses.

Retired fleet[edit]

Number Year Model Image Length Engine model Transmission Fuel Garage Notes
901 – 933 1993 Orion 05.501 40 feet (12.19 m) Detroit Diesel 6V92TA Allison HT-748 Diesel 18th St. Norfolk
934 – 949 1995 Orion 05.501 40 feet (12.19 m) Detroit Diesel 6V92TA Allison B400R Diesel 18th St. Norfolk
  • Retired in August 2011
501 – 534 1995 Gillig Phantom 40 feet (12.19 m) Detroit Diesel Series 50 Allison B400R Diesel Victoria Blvd Hampton
18th St. Norfolk
  • Retired in October 2018
1230–1238 2000 Gillig Phantom 40 feet (12.19 m) Cummins ISC Voith D864.5 Diesel 18th Street Norfolk
  • Retired in October 2018
1240–1263 2001 Gillig Phantom 35 feet (10.67 m) Cummins ISC Voith D864.3 Diesel 18th Street Norfolk
  • Retired in October 2019
1301–1304 2000 Gillig Low Floor 29 feet (8.84 m) Cummins ISL Voith D864.3 Diesel 18th St Garage
  • Retired in October 2019
1700–1715 2003 Gillig Phantom 35 feet (10.67 m) Cummins ISL Voith D864.3 Diesel 18th St Garage
  • Retired in October 2019
1800–1810 2004 Gillig Phantom 40 feet (12.19 m) Cummins ISL Voith D864.3 Diesel 18th St Garage
  • Retired in October 2019
  • Bus 1800 was also used as a MAX Express Bus
1900–1907 2004 Gillig Low Floor 40 feet (12.19 m) Cummins ISC Voith D864.3 Diesel Victoria Blvd Garage
  • Retired in January 2020

Light rail fleet[edit]

The Tide Light Rail began service on August 19, 2011, with nine of the trainsets entering to revenue service.

Number Year Model Image Length Width Traction Motors Garage Notes
401-409 2009 Siemens S70 Light Rail Vehicle Delivered in October 2009-used since August 2011 when The Tide Light Rail began service.

Other fleet[edit]

HRT has three ferries, with two operating in the peak periods. HRT owns a total of 33 paratransit vans. HER is also leasing an additional 54 paratransit vans from its contractor to meet service requirements.

Primary services[edit]

HRT operates nearly 60[14] local fixed routes and eight express bus routes in the region.[15]

Route list[edit]

Southside Routes

  • 1 Downtown Norfolk Transit Center/Pembroke East
  • 2 Navy Exchange Mall/Downtown Norfolk Transit Center
  • 3 Downtown Norfolk Transit Center/Navy Exchange Mall
  • 4 Downtown Norfolk/Old Dominion University
  • 5 Willoughby/Evelyn Butts
  • 6 Downtown Norfolk/South Norfolk/Robert Hall Boulevard
  • 8 Downtown Norfolk/Evelyn T. Butts Avenue
  • 9 Downtown Norfolk Transit Center/Evelyn T. Butts Avenue
  • 11 Downtown Norfolk/Colonial Place
  • 12 South Norfolk/TCC Virginia Beach
  • 13 Downtown Norfolk/Robert Hall Boulevard/Summit Pointe
  • 14 Robert Hall Boulevard/Chesapeake Municipal Center
  • 15 Robert Hall Boulevard/Evelyn T. Butts Avenue
  • 18 Downtown Norfolk/Hanbury Street and Ballentine Boulevard
  • 21 Navy Exchange Mall/Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek
  • 22 Newtown Road Station/Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek
  • 23 Norfolk General/IKEA/JANAF/Military Circle
  • 24 Pembroke East/Robert Hall Boulevard
  • 25 Military Circle/TCC/Sentara Princess Anne
  • 26 TCC Virginia Beach/Lynnhaven Mall
  • 27 Newtown Road Station/Pleasure House Road
  • 29 Pleasure House Road/Lynnhaven Parkway
  • 33 TCC/Atlantic Avenue/68th Street
  • 36 Pembroke East/TCC Virginia Beach
  • 41 Downtown Portsmouth/Cradock/Victory Crossing
  • 43 Downtown Portsmouth/Bart Street
  • 44 Downtown Norfolk Transit Center/Norfolk General Hospital/Midtown Portsmouth
  • 45 Downtown Norfolk Transit Center/Portsmouth
  • 47 Downtown Portsmouth/Churchland
  • 50 Downtown Portsmouth/Victory Crossing
  • 57 Robert Hall Boulevard/Airline Boulevard
  • 58 Liberty Street and Seaboard Avenue/TCC Chesapeake Campus

VB WAVE Routes

  • 30 Atlantic Avenue Trolley
  • 31 Aquarium and Campgrounds Trolley
  • 34 Oceanfront Connector
  • 35 Bayfront Trolley

Peninsula Routes

  • 101 (Kecoughtan) Downtown Newport News/Downtown Hampton
  • 102 (Coliseum) Peninusla Town Center/Downtown Hampton
  • 103 Downtown Hampton/Downtown Newport News
  • 104 (Marshall) Downtown Newport News/Newmarket
  • 105 Maple Avenue and 27th Street/Peninusla Town Center
  • 106 Newport News/Warwick Boulevard/Denbigh/Fort Eustis
  • 107 Newport News/Warwick Boulevard/Patrick Henry Mall
  • 108 Riverside Medical Center/Patrick Henry Mall/Lee Hall
  • 109 (Pembroke) Downtown Hampton/Buckroe
  • 110 Downtown Hampton/Virginia Peninsula Community College
  • 111 Virginia Peninsula Community College/Patrick Henry Mall/Woodside Lane
  • 115 Buckroe/Willow Oaks/Downtown Hampton
  • 118 Downtown Hampton/Virginia Peninsula Community College/Semple Farm Road

757 Express Routes

  • 20 Virginia Beach Boulevard
  • 112 Jefferson Avenue
  • 114 Mercury Boulevard
  • 403 Buckroe Shopping Center/Newport News Shipyard
  • 405 Newport News Transit Center/Buckroe
  • 414 Newport News Transit Center/Jefferson/Oakland
  • 415 Newport News Transit Center/Denbigh
  • 430 Denbigh Fringe
  • 921 Newport News/Williamsburg
  • 960 Norfolk/Virginia Beach
  • 961 Newport News/Hampton/Norfolk
  • 964 Newport News/Smithfield
  • 966 Silverleaf Park and Ride/Newport News Transit Center
  • 967 Military Highway Station/Newport News Transit Center
  • 972 Virginia Beach/Newport News
  • 980 Downtown Norfolk Transit Center/Portsmouth/Chesapeake/Suffolk

Other services[edit]

Paratransit[edit]

Hampton Roads Transit provides ADA Paratransit service, and is available within 3/4 of a mile of regularly scheduled bus routes. Fare is $3.50. Certification and reservations are required. Reservation hours are from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. daily. Reservations must be made no later than 5:00 PM the day before you need transportation and you can reserve a ride up to 3 days in advance, at this time.[16]

Traffix[edit]

Traffix is a grant-funded program provided by Hampton Roads Transit. It encourages citizens throughout Hampton Roads to use alternative forms of transportation that reduces use of single occupancy vehicles.[17] Traffix oversees and promotes regional commuter initiatives, including carpooling and remote work, by reaching out to area employers. Some of its key clients include the U.S. Navy, Northrop Grumman, Wal-mart, and Canon. To date, Traffix has removed nearly 800 vehicles off the road and has saved consumers over 600,000 gallons of gas and over $1.8 million in vehicle related expenses.[citation needed]

Ferry service[edit]

One of three paddle wheel ferries docked at Waterside Festival Marketplace

HRT's paddle wheel ferry is a system of one 150-passenger and two 149-passenger paddle wheel ferry boats: Elizabeth River Ferry III, Elizabeth River Ferry IV and Elizabeth River Ferry V. Retired ferries include the James C. Echols and Elizabeth River Ferry II. The Ferry travels between North Landing and High Street in Portsmouth and downtown Norfolk at Waterside District and Harbor Park. Harbor Park is only serviced during Norfolk Tides baseball home games.

The ferry operates every 30 minutes, with additional 15-minute service at peak times on weekends from Memorial Day to Labor Day. The Ferry is wheelchair accessible and allows boarding passengers to board with their bicycles. The general cost to board the ferry is $2.00 for adults, and $1.00 with eligibility ID for youth (age 17 and under), seniors (age 65 and older), and disabled patrons with eligible ID. Round-trip passes may be purchased for $4.00 for adults, with no round-trip option currently available for youth, senior, or disabled patrons. 1-day passes may be purchased as well for $4.50 for adults and $2.25 for youth, seniors, and disabled patrons with eligible ID.[18] Exact fare is required, the crew and fare boxes can not make change.

The ferry's High Street dock is three blocks from Downtown Portsmouth's bus transfer area at County St & Court St.

Plans to introduce up to 4 new ferries have been announced by HRT.[19] 2 of these announced ferries are currently in service, Elizabeth River Ferry IV and Elizabeth River Ferry V.

Virginia Beach Wave[edit]

The VB Wave runs through the main areas of the Virginia Beach Oceanfront. Service runs from May through September.

Route 30 Atlantic Ave (May 1-October 2 8am-2am, About every 15 minutes) which serves all the stops along the Atlantic Avenue boardwalk, This includes the Virginia Beach Surf & Rescue Museum, the Virginia Beach Fishing Pier, plus the north beaches HRT transfer.

Route 31 Museum Express – (Daily, Memorial Day-Labor Day 9:30 AM until 11:10 PM, About every 15 minutes) Serves the Virginia Aquarium, Ocean Breeze Waterpark, Owl Creek Municipal Tennis Center, Holiday Trav-L-Park Campground, and KOA Campground.[20]

Route 35 provides service from Arctic & 19th to Shore Drive & Vista Circle. It serves the Oceanfront, First Landing State Park, North End beaches, Chesapeake Bay beaches and Bayfront restaurants. The route runs from May 21 to October 1 all season long. This route runs daily from 8am to midnight for every 30 minutes from Memorial Day to Labor Day and every weekend from 8am to midnight for every 30 minutes from September 8 to October 1.[21]

Former Route 32 Shoppers Express – (Daily, Memorial Day-Labor Day 10am-9pm, About every hour) Served the Shops at Hilltop, and ended at Lynnhaven Mall.

757 Express[edit]

MAX bus on Interstate 664

757 Express, formerly MAX, is an intercity bus service operated by Hampton Roads Transit. The routes connect area Park and Ride lots to the Downtown Norfolk Transit Center and other major employment locations or activity centers in the area.[22] The Service includes commuter routes, limited-stop routes and regular routes that includes 15-minute frequency during peak hours. There are currently three regular routes that are a part of the program, but more routes will be added once HRT hires more drivers.[23]

The Tide Light Rail[edit]

The Tide, Norfolk's Light Rail System, runs from Eastern Virginia Medical School through downtown Norfolk to Newtown Road (near Sentara Leigh Memorial Hospital). The Groundbreaking Ceremony was held on December 8, 2007.[24] Primary construction began in early 2008, the first of nine train sets arrived on October 6, 2009,[25] and the Tide became fully operational on August 19, 2011. The Tide currently runs 15 minute frequencies serving its eleven stations between Fort Norfolk/EVMC Station & Newtown Road Station. Most stations are served with at least one HRT bus route. The Monticello station is a few blocks away from the Downtown Norfolk Transit Center and the Harbor Park stop is adjacent to the Amtrak Norfolk Station (NFK).

Base Express[edit]

Introduced in November 2022, Base Express is a free service serving the Naval Station Norfolk complex within two circulator routes. The gold route serves the Naval Exchange bus stop and the inner portion of the base and it runs seven days a week with 30 minute frequencies. The Blue route circles the outer portion of the base, including the piers. It runs Monday-Friday with 15 minute frequencies but no weekend service.

Recent Projects[edit]

In 2008, the long-standing central bus transfer area at Monticello Avenue and Charlotte Street was moved to the Cedar Grove lot on Monticello Avenue north of Virginia Beach Blvd., to accommodate the Wachovia development on Monticello Avenue.[26] In 2016, it was moved again to a new Downtown Norfolk Transportation Center (DNTC) indoor terminal at 434 St. Paul's Blvd., closer to the main downtown district and the Tide's Monticello station.[27] As of 2018, Greyhound is planned to move into the facility, as its old terminal is being taken for redevelopment, though there is concern as to whether the new facility will be able to accommodate the intercity service. A suggestion by Harrell to move it to Amtrak's new Harbor station has at this point not been pursued.[28] However, Greyhound buses do currently serve the Norfolk Amtrak station after the closure of their bus station.

Projects under development[edit]

Virginia Beach Extension Study[edit]

The Virginia Beach Extension Study was started in 2009 in an effort to bring a right-of-way rapid transit line to Virginia Beach using a former freight rail track, most likely to connect the current The Tide light rail from Newtown Road Station. The studied modes are Bus Rapid Transit and Light Rail.[29]

Alternatives The study originally considered three alternatives with a fourth added from the City Council of Virginia Beach. Distances are the number of miles from the Newtown Road Station.

  • Virginia Beach Town Center: 3 miles (Alternative added and eventually chosen by City of Virginia Beach. Two stations were assigned within the Town Center district)
  • Rosemont Road: 4.8 miles
  • Oceanfront (via Oceana): 12.2 miles
  • Oceanfront (via Hilltop): 13.5 miles

As of 2015, a Draft Environmental Impact Statement was published. However, since the City of Virginia Beach and the State of Virginia is paying for the Town Center alternative, there will be no Final Environmental Impact Statement, as that document is made when there is federal money involved. There has been opposition from the citizens of Virginia Beach about costs and using taxpayer money to construct and maintain the line, if built. Citizens of Virginia Beach voted on building the line on November 8, 2016, however, the vote was a no-majority of 57% and as a result, work on light rail has ceased as of December 2016. Had it passed, the extension would have opened between late 2019 and early 2020.[30]

Naval Station Norfolk Extension Study[edit]

In 2012, the City of Norfolk began to study for possibilities for extending their current Tide light rail system to Naval Station Norfolk.[31] The plan was divided into a westside portion which included Old Dominion University and an eastside portion connecting to the Newtown Road Station. The Westside study was concluded in 2018 with a no-build decision. The eastside study is in progress with a three-mile light rail extension to the former Military Circle Mall and also new Bus Rapid Transit line from Military Circle to Naval Station Norfolk.

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Transit Ridership Report Fourth Quarter 2023" (PDF). American Public Transportation Association. March 4, 2024. Retrieved March 14, 2024.
  2. ^ "Transit Ridership Report Fourth Quarter 2023" (PDF). American Public Transportation Association. March 4, 2024. Retrieved March 14, 2024.
  3. ^ "William E. Harrell hired as HRT's new President/CEO | Gohrt.com". Gohrt.com. 2012-08-17. Retrieved 2012-08-17.
  4. ^ "Suffolk Transit". Suffolkva.us. Archived from the original on 2016-06-28. Retrieved 2016-06-29.
  5. ^ "William E. Harrell | Gohrt.com". Gohrt.com. 2012-08-17. Retrieved 2012-08-17.
  6. ^ "William E. Harrell hired as HRT's new President/CEO | Gohrt.com". Gohrt.com. 2012-08-17. Retrieved 2016-07-31.
  7. ^ "HRT head Michael Townes, under fire, agrees to retire | HamptonRoads.com | PilotOnline.com". HamptonRoads.com. 2010-01-12. Retrieved 2010-05-29.
  8. ^ Holden, Tom (2020-10-21). "Hampton Roads Transit wins dedicated funding; expanded express bus service in development". www.masstransitmag.com. Retrieved 2021-08-08.
  9. ^ "30,000 people rode the Tide opening day| Gohrt.com". Gohrt.com. 2012-08-17. Archived from the original on 2016-01-10. Retrieved 2012-08-17.
  10. ^ "Bus service changes in Suffolk| Gohrt.com". Gohrt.com. 2012-08-17. Archived from the original on 2012-01-04. Retrieved 2012-08-17.
  11. ^ "HRT is Modernizing with Advanced EV Technology". Retrieved 2020-11-16.
  12. ^ "Virginia Governor signs Hampton Roads Transportation Funding Law, welcomes new electric transit buses". 21 September 2020. Retrieved 2020-11-25.
  13. ^ "New Flyer Announces Second Quarter 2011 Orders and Backlog". Archived from the original on 2011-07-22. Retrieved 2011-07-27.
  14. ^ http://www.gohrt.com/abouthrt/abouthrt.html . Retrieved November 17, 2009. Archived April 23, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
  15. ^ "757 Express – Routes – Hampton Roads Transit". gohrt.com. Retrieved 2024-01-20.
  16. ^ Starting in December 2011, a new delivery system utilizing a mixed use of taxis, involving local taxi companies and dedicated Handi-Ride buses was implemented. This transformation was the result of Hampton Roads Transportation, Inc.'s Frank Azzalina approaching HRT CEO Philip Shucet, and proposing that significant savings in paratransit could be realized if a mixed-use strategy was administered. After a long period of fleet, and routing optimization analysis occurred, the program was eventually put in place. According to the Virginia Pilot - HRT estimates the changes will result in reducing costs by about $500,000 a year, or about $1.25 million for the remainder of its contract with MV Transportation, the company that operates Handi-Ride. The fleet of paratransit buses was trimmed from 87 to 33.
  17. ^ "TRAFFIX Works For All Of Us". Hampton Roads Transit. 2022-10-02. Retrieved 2024-01-20.
  18. ^ "Fares – Hampton Roads Transit". Gohrt.com. Retrieved 20 January 2019.
  19. ^ "HRT board buys a new ferry – and options three more – Hampton Roads Transit". Gohrt.com. 2015-04-23. Retrieved 2016-06-29.
  20. ^ "VB Wave – Hampton Roads Transit". Gohrt.com. Retrieved 2016-06-29.
  21. ^ "VB Wave & Bayfront Shuttle – Hampton Roads Transit – Bus, trolley, light rail, and ferry transportation, routes, schedules, rates and contacts". Hampton Roads Transit. Archived from the original on 1 September 2018. Retrieved 2018-09-05.
  22. ^ "Hampton Roads Transit to launch 757 Express in 2022". News 3 WTKR Norfolk. 2020-10-31. Retrieved 2024-01-20.
  23. ^ Stone, Gavin (2023-11-13). "Express bus service between downtown Norfolk and Virginia Beach Oceanfront now available". The Virginian-Pilot. Retrieved 2024-01-20.
  24. ^ "First contract awarded for Norfolk's light-rail starter line" (PDF). www.ridethetide.com. Archived from the original (PDF) on April 10, 2008.
  25. ^ "Twitter / 10 On Your Side: Norfolk just unveiled "The". Twitter.com. 2009-10-06. Retrieved 2010-05-29.
  26. ^ Holden, Tom (Apr 1, 2008). "HRT relocates bus transfer station in Norfolk". The Virginian Pilot Online. Archived from the original on 27 June 2018. Retrieved 26 Jun 2018.
  27. ^ "The New Downtown Norfolk Transit Center". Hampton Roads Transit. Archived from the original on 27 June 2018. Retrieved 26 Jun 2018.
  28. ^ Pascale, Jordan (May 26, 2018). "Greyhound likely moving to HRT's Downtown Transit Center, but will it be able to accommodate riders?". The Virginian Pilot Online. Archived from the original on 27 June 2018. Retrieved 26 Jun 2018.
  29. ^ "Virginia Beach Transit Extension – Hampton Roads Transit". Hampton Roads Transit. Archived from the original on 2 July 2016. Retrieved 2016-06-29.
  30. ^ "Virginia Beach Light Rail Study". City of Virginia Beach. Archived from the original on 8 November 2015.
  31. ^ "Naval Station Norfolk Transit Extension Study – Hampton Roads Transit". Hampton Roads Transit. 2014-10-20. Archived from the original on 30 September 2017. Retrieved 2016-06-29.

External links[edit]

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