Hampton Roads Transit


Hampton Roads Transit, incorporated on October 1, 1999, began through the voluntary merger of PENTRAN on the Virginia Peninsula and TRT in South Hampton Roads and currently serves over 22 million annual passengers within its 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.
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 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, Thomas Nelson Community College, and Tidewater Community College.
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.

Governance

Hampton Roads Transit is governed by the Transportation District Commission of Hampton Roads. 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, or a designee. The six Hampton Roads cities that participate rotate the chairmanship each year. The Honorable Richard W. "Rick" West 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.

Leadership

is the current president and CEO of Hampton Roads Transit. 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.
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.

Funding

Hampton Roads Transit has no dedicated revenue source. 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.
YearActivityCities served
1944The Virginia Transit Company begins operating rubber-wheeled bus service in Hampton Roads.Norfolk, VA
1945The 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 1973Tidewater Regional Transit service begins, with the creation of the Tidewater Transportation District Commission ; and acquires the Virginia Transit Company, Norfolk DivisionTRT service begins in Norfolk and Virginia Beach
January 1974Peninsula Transportation District Commission created
April 1975PENTRAN service begins, as the PTDC acquires the Citizens Rapid Transit CompanyPENTRAN service begins in Newport News and Hampton
May 1975The TTDC acquires the Community Motor Bus Company of PortsmouthTTDC expands, with TRT service to Portsmouth, VA
1977James City County Transit begins service within Colonial Williamsburg and James City County, VirginiaWilliamsburg, VA not yet served by PENTRAN, nor TRT until 2004.
late-1970s/early-1980sService expansion to Chesapeake, VA, including communities such as South Norfolk, Great Bridge, Western Branch, Deep Creek and to the newly opened Greenbrier MallChesapeake, VA
early-1990sService expansion to Suffolk, VA, exclusively to Tidewater Community College and downtown SuffolkSuffolk, VA
1995Crossroads 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, 1999TRT merges with PENTRAN and forms Hampton Roads Transit.HRT begins with bus service already existing in Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Portsmouth, Newport News, Hampton, and Suffolk.
June 2008The MAX began service with eight routes linking all six Hampton Roads Cities.Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Portsmouth, Victory Crossing, Newport News, and Hampton.
August 2011Virginia'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.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 2012City of Suffolk withdrew contract with HRT to operate public transit in Suffolk.

Bus fleet

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. This is the current fleet design
NumberYearModelImageLengthEngine modelTransmissionFuelGarageNotes-
1201–12271999Gillig Low FloorCummins ISCVoith D864.3DieselVictoria Blvd Hampton
18th St. Norfolk		Last buses under Pentran and TRT.-
1400–14092001Chance OpusCummins ISBAllison B300RDiesel18th St. NorfolkSeveral have been refurbished in 2013.-
1500–1513, 1515-15162002Gillig Low FloorCummins ISCVoith D864.3DieselVictoria Blvd Hampton
18th St. Norfolk		1514 retired due to fire-
1600–16142002Gillig Low FloorCummins ISCVoith D864.3DieselVictoria Blvd Hampton
18th St. Norfolk		-
2000–20202006Gillig Low FloorCummins ISLVoith D864.3EDiesel18th St. NorfolkFirst buses with frameless windows-
1410, 1415-14162006Optima OpusCummins ISBAllison B300RDiesel18th St. Norfolk1415 & 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-
2021–20392007Gillig Low FloorCummins ISLVoith D864.3EDieselVictoria Blvd Hampton
18th St. Norfolk		-
3000-30252007Gillig Low FloorCummins ISLVoith D864.5Clean DieselVictoria Blvd Hampton
18th St. Norfolk		Coach styling
MAX buses		-
4000 - 40232008Gillig BRT HybridCummins ISB-02Allison EP40 hybrid systemDiesel-Electric HybridVirginia 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.		-
2040–20462008Gillig Low FloorCummins ISLVoith D864.5Clean Diesel18th St. NorfolkFirst buses with square sided windows on bus doors-
3026-30352008Gillig Low FloorCummins ISLVoith D864.5Clean DieselVictoria Blvd Hampton
18th St. Norfolk		Coach styling
MAX Express Buses, also equipped with cargo attachments above some seats.		-
4024-40252009Gillig BRT HybridCummins ISB-02Allison EP40 hybrid systemDiesel-Electric HybridVirginia Beach Trolley Base-
2047–20522011Gillig Low FloorCummins ISLVoith D864.5Clean DieselVictoria Blvd Hampton-
4026-40362011Gillig BRT HybridCummins ISB-02Allison EP40 hybrid systemDiesel-Electric HybridVirginia Beach Trolley BaseNewest Hybrid shuttle buses on HRT's fleet-
5000-50082012Gillig Low FloorCummins ISLVoith D864.5Clean Diesel18th St. NorfolkFirst buses manufactured with the new logo.-
5009-50132013Gillig Low FloorCummins ISLVoith D864.5Clean DieselVictoria Blvd HamptonNewest regular service buses on HRT's Peninsula fleet.-
5101-51072014Nova Bus LFSCummins ISLAllison B400RClean Diesel18th St. NorfolkNewest 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.-
101-1142015Hometown TrolleyCummins ISB6.7Allison B300Clean DieselVirginia Beach GarageNew trolleys being used for the Virginia Beach Oceanfront seasonal shuttles-
5014-50182015-2016Gillig Low FloorCummins ISLVoith D864.6Clean DieselHampton & Norfolk Garages5014 & 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.-
2101-21292015-2016Gillig Low Floor40 feet
Cummins ISLVoith D864.6Clean DieselHampton & Norfolk Garages29 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.
2130-21332017-2018Gillig Low Floor40 feet
Cummins ISLVoith D864.6Clean DieselHampton and Norfolk Garages2130 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
5019-50252018Gillig Low Floor35 feet
Cummins ISLVoith D864.6Clean DieselHampton and Norfolk Garages
3101-31052018Gillig Low Floor40 feet
Cummins ISLVoith D864.6Clean DieselThe new 3100 series Coach styling
MAX Bus Express.
4101-41132018Gillig Low Floor29 feet
Cummins ISLVoith D864.6Clean DieselHampton and Norfolk Garages

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. 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

Light rail fleet

The Tide Light Rail began service on August 19, 2011 with nine of the trainsets entering to revenue service.
NumberYearModelImageLengthWidthTraction MotorsGarageNotes
401-4092009Siemens S70 Light Rail VehicleDelivered 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 local fixed routes and seven express bus routes in the region.

Route list

Southside Routes
VB WAVE Routes
Peninsula Routes
Peninsula Commuter Routes
MAX Express Routes

Paratransit

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.

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. Traffix oversees and promotes regional commuter initiatives, including carpooling and telecommuting, 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.

Ferry service

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 Dsitrict 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, seniors, 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. 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. 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 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
Serves the
Virginia Aquarium, Ocean Breeze Waterpark, Owl Creek Municipal Tennis Center, Holiday Trav-L-Park Campground, and KOA Campground.
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.
Former Route 32 Shoppers Express
Served the
Shops at Hilltop, and ended at Lynnhaven Mall.

MAX (Metro Area Express)

The MAX is the first regional express service connecting all of Hampton Roads. The bus service uses dedicated Gillig buses equipped with coach-style seating to make a more comfortable ride. All MAX buses are equipped with Wi-Fi. The routes connect area Park and Ride lots to Downtown Norfolk and other major employment locations in the area. There are two other express routes that are not branded as MAX routes, although Route 121 often uses MAX buses.

The Tide Light Rail

The Tide, Norfolk's Light Rail System, runs from Eastern Virginia Medical School through downtown Norfolk to Newtown Road.
The Groundbreaking Ceremony was held on December 8, 2007. Primary construction began in early 2008, the first of nine train sets arrived on October 6, 2009, and the Tide became fully operational on August 19, 2011.

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. In 2016, it was moved again to a new Downtown Norfolk Transportation Center indoor terminal at 434 St. Paul's Blvd., closer to the main downtown district and the Tide's Monticello station. 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.

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.
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.
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.

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. Currently the Draft Environmental Study is in development. There are currently six routes in study with two major corridors considered. Mode possibilities are light rail and streetcar. Potential build out of the expansion will commence in the 2020s.