HRPTA Blog
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The Tide Is Just One Point of Pride for Norfolk These Days
Source: Virginia Business With a 300-year history that includes two devastating fires and a yellow fever epidemic that wiped out a third of its population, Norfolk knows a thing or two about resilience and revival. Now, with the launch of its light-rail system, Virginia’s second-largest city continues to renew itself, while cementing its status as Hampton Roads’ financial and cultural hub. In August, Norfolk rolled out The Tide, Virginia’s first light-rail system, to fanfare and more than 75,000 riders during a three-day period. Expected to ease traffic congestion and provide an economic boost to the region, the 7.4 mile rail [...]
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What is Try Transit Week?
What is Try Transit Week? Try Transit Week, which takes place from September 19 – 23, 2011, is a statewide event sponsored by the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT) to encourage everyone to avoid driving solo and give transit options such as bus, rail, carpools, vanpools and telework a try. How does Try Transit Week work? Visit www.trytransitweek.com and pledge to try transit during the week of September 19-23. You will be automatically entered for a chance to win a one year transit pass to the transit operator of your choice and two round-trip tickets on Amtrak [...]
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Long Time Passenger: The Story of a 12 Year Old Boy
Well, I was not real sure where to start. My journey on public transportation began 23 years ago, in Massachusetts. In brief, I was 12 when I started riding the public bus. I had to figure the system out all by myself. The reason I began riding public transportation was a rather sad one, my mother left and my dad was left with two children to raise (my grandparents did help, but only had one car). We lost our car and our house due to what was incurred by that. I’m the older of the two, and was in charge [...]
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Our One-car Household Equates to a Low Transporation Budget
Our Norfolk household has two adult drivers and just one car. We have two HRT bus lines within a 12-minute walk. From those buses, we can make just one transfer to another HRT bus that take us anywhere in Norfolk, or to the Virginia Beach ocean front, or to Portsmouth, or to Chesapeake. Besides all that, we have a ferry. That takes us to the museums and restaurants across the river – and on to baseball games. Next month, our household is going to get a light rail line. And what do all these services cost us? $1.50 per ride. [...]
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“Easy Riding” on Public Transportation
I was at a light near a bus stop on Jefferson Avenue in downtown Newport News and noticed nearly fifteen people waiting for the bus. What caught my eye was the people standing there were hot, wiping their faces and laughing! I was unable to hear what was said, because my windows were up, my air condition was on and I thought I was happy I was not one of them! As I drove down the street I thought, regardless of standing in the heat people were interacting with one another and being very patient! Before this point I had [...]
