Light rail freeloaders face fines

NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) – People who ride the Tide without a ticket are getting caught. Hampton Roads Transit told WAVY.com that so far this year 38 people have been caught. In 2011, 383 riders were caught without a ticket.

The Tide started service in Aug. 2011. So far, it has exceeded original projections of 2,900 passengers a day. Riders who get caught without a ticket can be fined $250.

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Light rail funding to be discussed

NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) – A funding increase for light rail will be a topic of discussion at Tuesday night’s Norfolk City Council meeting.

The agenda , posted on the city’s website, asks to increase funding for light rail construction.

Right now, The Tide runs 7.4 miles through Norfolk with a price tag of $318.5 million, which is $86.5 million over budget.

Council has this topic slated for a public hearing Tuesday night, which means the public has a chance to speak about the possible increase at the meeting.

There are seven public hearing items on Tuesday’s agenda, including the increase of money for light rail construction, and all are recommended for approval, according to the agenda overview.

If Council votes yes to an increase, that money will be added to the city’s already approved Capital Improvement Plan.

10 On Your Side is working to find out why this additional construction money is needed and where on the newly completed project the money would be applied.

According to Hampton Roads Transit spokesman Tom Holden, HRT said there is no change in the budget on their end.

The council meeting begins at 7 p.m.

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Officials stress safety in Norfolk

Updated: Monday, 27 Jun 2011, 9:35 AM EDT
Published : Monday, 27 Jun 2011, 9:06 AM EDT

NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) – Light rail cars could be seen over the weekend in Norfolk as Hampton Roads Transit readies for the August launch date. The Tide will open to passengers on August 19. Once the light rail train starts moving, drivers, bikers, and people walking around Downtown will need to be more vigilant.

HRT officials are hoping for a smooth ride, but there have been a couple of bumps along the way.

About a week ago, a woman drove onto the tracks near Brambleton Avenue and got her car stuck.

Since then, HRT officials have taken pains to review safety standards in preparation for the big day.

They’ve got 11 signs posted that say “stop, look, and listen” near the tracks and in front of all the station stops.

Despite some of the safety and cost concerns, many people WAVY.com spoke with said they are looking forward to buying that first Tide ticket.

“The clutter from the city, less traffic, that’s going to be the main thing. Just come down here and get on the light rail and go where you need to go,” said Kimberly Tucker about riding light rail.

Carleton J. Washington added, “I think it’s great. It’s going to rebuild a lot of things. Just to come in and see it in operation, I think it’s going to do great things for the city. I love it, I think it’s really cute.”

To celebrate the grand opening, HRT will wave ticket fees for the first few days, so passengers can ride the Tide for free from August 19 to August 22. After that, it will cost $1.50 to hop aboard.

image credit: archiew on flickr

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Report from HRT:

NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) – For the first time, a confused driver got stuck on the Norfolk light rail tracks.

It didn’t take long for Hampton Roads Transit (HRT) workers to get to the scene, and figure out how it happened.

HRT is lucky. The trains aren’t running yet, but it’s already happened. Had trains been running, the train would have been delayed in the westbound lane by at least an hour.

Cristine Reid who was at a doctor’s office and was looking for Princess Anne Road got stuck on the track. Reid will not be alone in doing that and HRT knows it.

“We have said all along there will be a period of adjustment where the community figures out the relationship it has with the light rail system,” said HRT spokesperson Tom Holden.

Reid was coming down York Street, and instead of turning right to go to Brambleton, she kept coming down until she got stuck on the track.

“That’s what I did. I ain’t going to say I didn’t because I did, Reid said.

Reid drove past signs telling her to turn right, she came straight anyway, was on the track, tried to take a u-turn onto Brambleton, but the light rail track got in the way.

“I didn’t even know I was on the railroad track, but I know now. I didn’t know until I hit here,” Reid said.

Chuck Newsome sees it every day. “How the hell are people going to look out for trains when they are down here coming through here? I think about that every time I come down here,” said Newsome.

HRT also needs to respond more quickly. Reid’s car was on the track for at least an hour. No train would be able to pass.

Holden explains, “We would establish a bus bridge to route passengers around any blockage on track, and then allow rail operations people to clear the track.”

HRT’s working on that: safety.

As for York Street, HRT has learned rumble strips need to be put down along York Street as additional reminders.

HRT’s Tom Holden says work continues to integrate the safety signals along the 7.2 miles of light rail track.

The opening of light rail is at least 60 days away. HRT has said once the safety and security systems are perfectly integrated, that the opening of light rail will be 60 days after that.

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