This post originally appears on Avenging Archangel and is cross-posted here since it referrs to two of my HRT pictures I posted on Flickr.
For reference, here are the two images:
Route 72 Holland Rd Route 33 General Booth Blvd———————————————————————–
Yesterday I was skimming Virginia Beach’s new draft Comprehensive Plan. There were [...]
H/T to Henry Ryto
Thanks a lot, Virginia House of No!
Also, to the wingnuts out there, get over it. There’s NO SUCH THING AS A FREE LUNCH! We’re going to have to spend money and it has to come from somewhere. We’re going to have to suck it up and [...]
I am off to Woodrow Wilson Rehabilitation Center to start my job training, so I won’t be blogging much (yeah, I know: I’ve been slacking off lately).
I leave you with some recent pictures of buses below the fold:
From HRT’s Website:
Effective August 17, 2009Dear HRT Passengers,
In response to passenger needs and trends, Hampton Roads Transit (HRT) has modified all Suffolk Routes. Modifications include bus stop relocations and route changes. Please see the associated service changes below. Due to service changes, drivers will no longer have extended layovers at [...]
HRT used to have a Facebook presence that ran into a snag. They’re trying it again. Here’s the link:
[...]From HRT website:
Effective: Sunday, August 2, 2009Dear HRT Passengers,
Starting Sunday, August 2, 2009 Route 310 Shuttle departing Cedar Grove transfer center will now travel via Salter Street to Virginia Beach Boulevard to Monticello Avenue to Brambleton Avenue to Saint Paul’s Boulevard over regular route.
There will be no change to the [...]
Recently, HRT rolled out new GFI Genfare Vendstar ticket vending machines at several key locations: 15th Street, both Hampton & Newport News transit centers, [...]
Earlier today, Jessica Clark, a regular commenter on the Seattle Transit Blog, posted a comment on the entry Transit Opponents Sue To Stop East Link. In it, she is calling out Reid Greenmun.
My brother told me about this guy on the East [...]
Now, you can view my blog properly on the iPhone and iPod Touch! The load time should be much faster on the sluggish EDGE.
Tested on iPhone 3G with OS 3.0
[...]Later this afternoon, this blog will be upgraded to WordPress 2.8.1. As part of the upgrade, I will be installing the WPTouch plugin.
Once it’s installed, Ideas for Hampton Roads Transit will run much better when viewed from the iPhone/iPod Touch!
[...]James Toscano of Hampton Roads Transit goes into the Crybabies Den…
I was attending the Game/Fireworks today at Harbor Park and, since I was in Portsmouth checking out the Love Life in The Loop promotion, I decided to ride the #90 across the river to try out the Harbor Park ferry.
Once the [...]
For all you idiots who will claim they didn’t hear the train coming at an intersection (WARNING: Do not listen at work if your speakers are turned on). This is a two-car Central Link train. The Tide will be the length of one of these cars (note how quickly the [...]
See Seattle Sketcher. H/T to Seattle Transit Blog
[...]H/T to Seattle Transit Blog
This is a video Streetfilms did of Phoenix’s METRO Light Rail.
What you are seeing is roughly what we’re getting in Norfolk!
(can’t see the video? head to Streetfilms.org to view it on their site)
Also, for your viewing pleasure, may I present The Tide Rising: Medical Center [...]
So I haven’t been blogging about HRT lately. This is why:
Lately, I’ve been working on my Book Reader Platform and I just released a preview of Version 2.
Book Reader Platform website Book Reader Platform blog [...]I’ll let the video explain itself. As much as I’d love to see high ridership on The Tide, hopefully this never happens
[...]This is the first in several parts about the current state of bus service in Virginia Beach
Welcome Joe Tourist to Virginia Beach! We hope you enjoy your stay, but please don’t expect to be able to get around that easily. In this report, I intend to explore what is wrong [...]
Well, Summer is here. That means tourists and that means trying to explain to them that the buses do NOT run at Night or on Sunday
Too bad Henry wasn’t on this inbound 20 that left Hilltop at [...]
So it’s official, you want buses to run at Night & on Sunday. It’s time for it to happen
Results: 87% want Night & Sunday service while 13% would rather spend your money fixing an unnessecary rear sign.
[...]
A member of Hampton Roads Transit’s User Citizen Advisory Committee brought to my attention the problem of rear route number signs not working. I have a little poll going, so tell me what you think is more important:
Should we spend money [...]The City of Virginia Beach made its decision
NO to Night & Sunday bus serviceWhat does this mean? NO Light Rail dollars from from the Federal Transit Administration
[...]
Today I got the chance to ride the #33 Fort Story so I could document both Base service and getting to the Cape Henry Lighthouse.
The route is wonderful starting at 19th & Pacific and uses the existing routing up [...]
Not too long ago, Central Dispatch put out a memo requiring ALL routes to ONLY stop at OFFICIAL signs.
What this means:
All Suffolk routes would be eliminated (since the 71, 72, 73, and 74 are all flag stop routes) Most Virginia Beach routes (12, 25, 26, 27, 29, 33, 36) would be [...]
Wordpress caught this garbage in my Spam queue. No, I’m not going to be polite to this kind of filth
[...]
Problem with Drupal? The Pilot crashed again! (the black shroud is a glitch in Flickr. Click the image, then View Original Size to see it properly.
Shot taken: 5/6/2009 around 11 PM
A (formal) dinner Party in The Tube. Maybe on The Tide as well (joking)?
H/T to Seattle Transit Blog
[...]
This is a continuation of my series A Tour of HRT and I will be focusing on the third version of Route 25 Newtown Rd.
Yes folks, there are three versions of Route 25 so far.
The outbound 33 dropped me off at Ferrell Pkwy (Nimmo Pkwy to you newcommers) @ General Booth Blvd and I noticed this girl maybe a couple years younger than me (don’t you wish you were there Henry) also wanting to cross SR 149 on her bike.
I pulled up to the [...]
HRT proposes to trim back the 960 to not-so-all-day.
Uh, want to attract riders? I’m going to be blunt: Town Center stop, and a stop on 19th at the Convention Center. Thanks a bunch for screwing up big time!
[...]Sometimes, you’re glad the bus is running late. Case in point, yesterday I left my bike helmet on the 45 (my own fault, not HRT’s). I only realized after seeing the bus pull off and head to the garage for the night, so I told another driver and offered to [...]
Introducing the Flickr pool Transit by Choice! This will be a pool of images of people choosing to take transit. Post your pictures (and video too!) of people who are choosing to ride: [...]
UPDATE SATURDAY, APRIL 25TH: BERKLEY BRIDGE OPENED AHEAD OF SCHEDULE - SUNDAY SERVICE ON ROUTES 13 AND 45 WILL BE ON REGULAR ROUTE
Due to the closure of the Eastbound Berkley Bridge (into Norfolk) from 9 PM Friday to 5 AM Monday, Route 45 will be [...]
Since I have family in the area, I have to get this out!
Thanks to the Seattle Transit Blog for breaking this: July 18th is Central Link Light Rail opening day! The 18th and 19th are FREE to let you try the trains.
For more information:
Sound Transit launch [...]I’m starting a new series where I’m going to take you on a tour of the various routes in the system. A Tour of HRT will run sometimes not very often (like buses in Virginia Beach - though City Council can fix that [...]
As you watch, remember that each time, the light rail train had the right-of-way. Many of the examples include
This one should be a no-brainer: an operator contacted Central Dispatch and inquired about what the Easter schedule will be. Uh, a Sunday schedule operator!
Kudos to the Dispatcher answering the call for remaining professional during the entire conversation.
[...]Today is my 24th birthday. No, HRT does not give free rides (besides, I have a 30-Day pass so it wouldn’t help)
[...]I’m thinking about resigning from HRT’s UCAC I’ve been a member for about a year or so and I feel like not much is happening. This is not official, I’m just thinking about it
[...]I’d like to sincerely apologize to Alexis Harris for my April Fool’s joke yesterday “HRT to Discontinue Service.” What I did was wrong and uncalled for by including private information and I promise I will not do it again.
While I understand I may not be forgiven for this, I do [...]
BREAKING NEWS: The Virginia Beach Taxpayer’s Alliance has named Henry Ryto their new chairman. “It’s time we have someone who knows what their talking about when it comes to light rail and bus service. So, who better than someone who uses the existing service,” Said Reid Greenmun, the VBTA’s Transportation [...]
To whoever is complaining from 15th Street: Today is April Fool’s Day. Get a grip and enjoy the day!
It’s not like I’m saying Mt. Trashmore is going to blow up.
Besides, there was clearly posted “April Fool’s Day” right below the headline.
EXCLUSIVE BREAKING NEWS:Â Ideas for Hampton Roads Transit has learned that Reid Greenmun, Transportation Chairman for the Virginia Beach Taxpayer’s Alliance, decided to try out light rail!
Real quickly, he explained, “It’s time [...]
From an HRT Press Release
HAMPTON, Va. - Hampton Roads Transit (HRT) passengers are advised that effective Wednesday, April 1st, 2009, service will be discontinued due to the lack of funding from the member cities. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause our passengers and we hope to start service [...]
This is Brambleton Ave/NSU Station as viewed from the inbound 960. I’ll call it out as we pass by the actual station
Let me be clear: although I’m wearing my special hat, this video is NOT an official endorsement by HRT in any way, shape, or form
See more of [...]
(iPhone users: since Apple stubbornly won’t include Flash, this won’t play)
This is the Central Link light rail being tested from the view inside of the #42. What would you rather be riding? Yeah, the train is the same type of thing we’re getting in Norfolk
Video [...]
Congratulations to Moyera of Virginia Beach base for being HRT’s Employee of the Month for February 2009!
Moyera is the first Southside operator to win this award and it is [...]
UPDATE April 5th, 2009: This was featured in the Virginian-Pilot on Sunday, March 29th, 2009!!! See clipping posted on my Flickr photo stream.
With the draft budget for FY 2010 released, there’s no bus service booster (maintain current service levels only).
Need I [...]
UPDATED, March 19th, 2008
Wednesday the 18th is Bus Driver Appreciation Day. Be courteous to your driver and make sure they know you care.
“Thank you” goes a long way.
Only real transit nerds need to read the rest
Every transit nerd should know that modern buses started March 18th, 1662 in Paris. [...]
Today was supposed to be the St. Patrick’s Day parade in Ocean View. I was on the #1 Granby St due there at 9:20 AM and there were plenty of partygoers. [...]
Dr Tabor, all they want is to go to Lynnhaven Mall. Explain how they are parasites? I don’t understand.
For the normal people, they got on along N. Great Neck Rd and all they wanted to do was head to [...]
Thanks Mr. Vice President! Can’t wait to see what this brings
Hat Tip to Seattle Transit Blog
[...]HRT posted this video on The Tide
Today, I took a trip into Suffolk to see what HRT got itself into with Suffolk Intergration. Before I could even get on the 962 heading into Suffolk, I notice a big problem at Cedar Grove (see problem here): The 13 TCC was 30 minutes late and [...]
See the comments from Dr. William Tarbor of the Tidewater Libertarian Party for yourself.
Link to article (it’s in the comments)In case the Pilot editors delete comments (not uncommon), here’s the quote (emphasis mine):
Motorists already pay MORE than 100% of the cost of roads, through tolls and fuels taxes. Only [...]
I am starting work on a project to describe the history of Hampton Roads Transit bus service, documenting how the system used to be so much better.
For now, I tease you with the December 9th, 2001 Service Reductions
Page 1 of 2
Earlier today, a minivan struck an HRT bus making its left into Military Circle. This was around 2:45 PM. There are few details at this time.
The bus is believed to be #1500, affectionaly named by a Beach Base driver as Clifford due to its Virginia Lottery ad wrap
[...]The short story: some people screwed up and some people shined. I was sitting on board the #25 driven by Mona all afternoon and listened in on the radio. I have a long report of the good and the bad.
The long story:
Hampton Roads Transit passengers should expect major delays Friday between noon and 5 p.m. for the funeral procession of Bishop Levi D. Willis Sr.
The procession will be led by horse-drawn carriage and is expected to include up to 1,500 cars, according to an HRT press release. The route will include [...]
You’re reading this right: John McCain confuses high-speed rail and light rail!
[...]Expect delays near all Naval Bases through Friday as the Navy operates Exercise Solid Curtain. The following routes may be affected:
NOB: Routes 2, 3, 15, 919, 922, and 963 Little Creek (Amphib Base): 1, 8 Oceana (including Dam Neck Annex): 37 [...]HRT will be remodeling the 15th Street Norfolk office.
Due to construction in our lobby, HRT ticket sales will be temporarily suspended for two weeks beginning Thursday, February 26, 2009. We will resume in our newly remodeled lobby Monday, March 16, 2009
HRT Announcement (PDF), including nearby Ticket Sales outlets*
* Be [...]
Tomorrow: Trolley Base is hiring for the Summer. Part Time Customer Service, Operators, and Supervisors for Routes 30, 31, and 32 VB WAVE Summer service
9 AM to 3 PM at Trolley Base, 1500 Parks Ave, Va Beach. Served by Route 20 (VB Blvd & Parks Ave)
[...]So today I was doing my usual morning ride inbound on the #25 when this girl sitting across asks me (instead of the driver!?) “I overshot my stop. Can I ride this bus back to TCC?”
I reply, “For $1.50.”
She explains the problem with Patty who 10-5s Frank at Trolley Base. [...]
This is a CORRECTION for President’s Day service
HRT will run a Modified Weekday schedule. ALL local routes will operate a WEEKDAY schedule, except as follows:
Route 37 will not operate Route 113 will not operate All Suffolk routes (71, 72, 73, and 74) WILL NOT OPERATE (which is how it’s always been for [...]I see you found a new way to catch Road Runner (and unlike ACME, these actually work)
[...]This is going to be a BIG problem. All buses are on a SATURDAY schedule which means that although classes are in session, TCC Portsmouth will be completely INACCESSIBLE because the 47 isn’t running beyond the Churchland Library
Ditto for TCC Va Beach students who live along Princess Anne Road because [...]
Now that HRT will run buses in Suffolk, some thoughts
No true intergration until the 962 runs all day (thanks Henry) If you take the 962 to work in Downtown Norfolk, you have to be leaving EARLY: 3:45 PM if you need a connection at the Suffolk Bus Plaza 4:45 PM if the 73 [...]Taken directly from goHRT.com:
What’s your vision for regional transit in Hampton Roads? Come share your thoughts, ideas and opinions in a public meeting on February 24, 2009 from 4-7 p.m. at the HRT location at either 3400 Victoria Blvd. Hampton, VA 23661 or 1500 Monticello Ave. Norfolk, VA 23510. Hope [...]
Suffolk Residents, welcome to Hampton Roads Transit. Starting Monday, February 9th, HRT will be running your 71, 72, 73, and 74.
Suffolk Routes and Schedules (these will NOT change from your present service) Welcome to the [...]
Hampton Roads Transit now runs WordPress on their official site
Yep, it’s official, HRT uses WordPress, the same tool which powers my blog.
[...]I boarded the 36 to head home after visiting Representative Glenn Nye’s Virginia Beach Open House. There’s a young kid sitting across from me who asks if he needs to remove my bike in order to get to his upon arrivial at TCC
[...]HRT, it’s time to start thinking about making some changes
Since HRT is officially taking over bus service in Suffolk, it’s time to run the #962 all day.
The 71, 72, 73, and 74 need to be redrawn and run later into the evening? Right now, if you work in Downtown Norfolk, [...]
H/T Henry Ryto and Scott Taylor
This was brought up in the past couple of months. Why doesn’t HRT produce Spanish-language material?
Don’t even talk about this to HRT decision makers (you will get an eye-roll), but I feel it really needs to be addressed. Back during the Virginia Beach Mayoral Campaign, [...]
The Virginian Pilot’s Brian Clark takes us on a tour of construction of The Tide
See larger version on HamptonRoads.TV
Long story short, I finally got my hands on WordPress 2.7 (the software that powers my blog) and got a nice new theme. More below the fold
Now that FTP issues were resolved, I upgraded WordPress from 2.5.1 to 2.7. This site was around for a while and was supposed to [...]
The Transportation District Commission of Hampton Roads, the board that governs HRT, is meeting today
1:30 PM at headquarters, 3400 Victoria Blvd, Hampton
Served by Route 103
[...]H/T Henry Ryto
So I’m told HRT will have $15-20 million Stimulus money
What’s ready for the shovels?
[...]HRT’s User Citizen’s Advisory Committee is meeting tonight at 6 PM at HRT Headquarters, 3400 Victoria Blvd, Hampton
This is served by HRT Route 103
[...]Welcome to my NEW home for Ideas for Hampton Roads Transit. This site will take the place of my old Blogger blog (hrtransit-ideas.blogspot.com).
For some reason, Google doesn’t seem to want to export my old blog to here. Also, since I’m having FTP issues, I’m having trouble upgrading to WordPress 2.7.
[...]
Yesterday at the 3 PM inbound at 19th & Pacific, I saw this and yes it's equipped with HRT RiderNet (HRT's soon-to-be-launched MAX Wi-Fi) (learn more about RiderNet3) [...] 
[...]
