This article needs to be updated. The reason given is: Due to recent (2023) changes and closures in bus lines, some of the bus lines are likely out of date and need updating/confirmation. The recent/ongoing projects section is also highly outdated and could use updated information. Please help update this article to reflect recent events or newly available information.(January 2024)
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
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
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
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
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.
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
In May 2024, HRT received 32 new, low-floor model buses from GILLIG, partial fulfillment of an order of 51. There were 21 of the 35-foot models and 11 of the 40-foot versions.[11] The HRT fleet inventory as of December 2024, consisted of 345 vehicles, including 329 diesel buses, 10 trolley-style buses, and 6 battery electric buses. The majority of the fleet, a total of 329 buses, were manufactured by Gillig. The HRT fleet also includes 10 Trolley-style buses manufactured by Hometown Manufacturing.
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 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.
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.
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
Newest regular service buses on HRT's Southside fleet. First electric buses for HRT.[12][13]
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.[14] 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.
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.
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.
Retired in November 2024
Light rail fleet
The Tide Light Rail began service on August 19, 2011, with nine of the trainsets entering to revenue service.
Delivered in October 2009-used since August 2011 when The Tide Light Rail began service.
Other fleet
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
HRT operates nearly 60[15] local fixed routes and eight express bus routes in the region.[16]
Route list
Southside Routes
1 Downtown Norfolk Transit Center/Pembroke East
2 Navy Exchange Mall/Downtown Norfolk Transit Center
Hampton Roads Transit provides ADAParatransit 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.[a]
Traffix
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]
HRT's paddle wheelferry 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
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, 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, 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
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
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.
In October of 2022, HRT launched live route tracking on its website.[29]
Projects under development
Virginia Beach Extension Study
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.[30]
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.[31]
Naval Station Norfolk Extension Study
In 2012, the City of Norfolk began to study for possibilities for extending their current Tide light rail system to Naval Station Norfolk.[32] 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.
^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.[citation needed]
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