Cedar Grove: Tweaks Needed

As pointed out by Avenging Archangel, the following should be done ASAP:

• Portajohns, Please (for both drivers AND passengers)
• Expand the space so a bus can pass another

In addition: Memo to Trolley Base. Buses don't go Downtown anymore (except for Routes 6, 8, 17, 45, 61, and 310). To transfer, passengers need to head to Cedar Grove. All buses that used to be on Charlotte (except for Route 61 which continues onto the Downtown Loop, but stops at Monticello & The Blvd) PLUS Route 23 Princess Anne Rd now use Cedar Grove.

In the long run (this assumes, as stated on the HRT website, Cedar Grove will "forever" replace Charlotte St):

• Lets build sidewalks so that it's easier for the elderly to board lowfloor buses (this would be in the "very long term")
  
• Figure out how to patch up the schedules so that buses aren't sitting at Cedar Grove for 10-20 minutes
• New schedules for all Cedar Grove routes
• This new system map (that I have yet to see, but reliable sources say it's coming) must be updated for all changes (not just Cedar Grove)
• Let's get the bus stop sign for Routes 6, 8, and 45 installed on St. Paul's Blvd.
  
• Route 17 (The NET) should be extended to the bus transfer area IN ADDITION to having the 310. This should be 7 days a week, all day. The weekday Route 17 directly connects you to TCC Downtown at NET stops 6 (Freemason) and 7 (College). Since HRT seems to be using 300 series routes to refer to circulators (300: Portsmouth Loop and 310: Downtown Shuttle), it would make sense to (with the 4000 Hybrids coming) to rebrand as Route 317 (still call it The NET though, just a new route number)
  

Cedar Grove: My Complete Report

Earlier this morning, I was able to ride buses through the new Cedar Grove transfer point. It's not half bad. In fact, my transfer from the 6 to the 20 went smoothly. It wasn't 100% smooth though. When I arrived at Military Circle, I spoke to an Inbound 20 driver and he said, "A couple of passengers yelled, 'where the fuck are you going' when I made my right onto Monticello." The 20 used to make a left towards Downtown. In addition to my report, please have a read of Avenging Archangel's report.

I took a few pictures while there. As pointed out by Avenging Archangel, all it needs is portajohns. Click any picture for a larger version.

If you're going to Downtown Norfolk, catch this: Route 310 "DOWNTOWN SHUTTLE". It's FREE and runs every 15 minutes 7 days a week. I would still prefer a "Brambleton Ave Detour" and have all buses come Downtown though. Yes Norfolk, bus riders do honestly go Downtown. TCC Students and Mall workers are two perfect examples.

All new shelters at Cedar Grove

Route 6 at 20th & Seaboard with the new destination. ALL buses will now read "CEDAR GROVE" instead of "DOWNTOWN NORFOLK"

Route 20 pulls into the new Cedar Grove transfer point

UCAC: It's Really Official

Well, now it's official. Notice my name under "Virginia Beach"? :)

See HRT UCAC Website

Cedar Grove: A Full Report

Coming later today, look for my full report about the first weekday @ Cedar Grove Transit Center. I read on Avenging Archangel's (thanks for linking to me) blog about some HRT administrative employees at the office at 9 PM on a Saturday. A big hearty thank-you is in order to them given that Norfolk only gave HRT a week to make this major service change. As stated in Avenging Archangel, all that is needed for Cedar Grove is portajohns. Hey, you gotta go, you gotta go. At least with Charlotte, MacArthur as well as McDonald's were right there.

I will be in the Cedar Grove between 8:15 and 9:15 since I need to goto 15th Street to purchase my new 30-Day E&D pass since they are only on sale at HRT facilities (Farm Fresh sells all HRT Passes except the Blue 30-Day E&D pass). Look for my report between 11 AM and 11:30 AM.

Route 310 DOWNTOWN NORFOLK SHUTTLE

See Passenger Alert

Route 310 will give you DOWNTOWN NORFOLK SERVICE to ALL stops EXCEPT Charlotte. Thanks HRT. Now I can stop bitching about loosing Downtown Norfolk service. This is a FREE SHUTTLE every 15 minutes DAILY.

TDCHR Board Meeting

Due to the outlandish and inexcusable behavior of UCAC Chair Julian Scott, I will not be attending today's TDCHR board meeting. I am still interested in being a UCAC representative from Virginia Beach.

Route 300

The Loop (Portsmouth) now has a number. It is Route 300.

Salter St (formerly Charlotte St) - MAJOR DOWNTOWN NORFOLK SERVICE ELIMINATION

See HRT Website Passenger Alert

ATTENTION ALL RIDERS: Bus service to Downtown Norfolk WILL BE ELIMINATED on Monday for ALL ROUTES except for the 6, 17, 45, and 61. The 17 (The NET) will have its regular route. The 6 and 45 will have a stop on St. Paul's Blvd near Charlotte St. The 61 (DOWNTOWN NORFOLK EXPRESS route ONLY) will make all usual stops (except Charlotte St), including the Downtown Loop. There will be NO service to Downtown on ANY OTHER ROUTE. Service to Downtown will be HEAVILY RESTRICTED. Please speak to any HRT Supervisor while you are in the Downtown area for further details and instructions.

My opinions:

• Norfolk, there is NO EXCUSE for waiting for the last minute. Shame on you.
  
• HRT: Why are buses not going to Downtown at all? Salter St DOES NOT COUNT as Downtown in my book. They should make the Downtown Loop at least (using Brambleton to St. Paul's for a detour).
• If you're making us transfer to Route 17, IT NEEDS TO RUN ALL DAY to the transfer area (its Cedar Grove layover isn't good enough) 9 AM to 3 PM DOES NOT CUT IT. Also, run the Weekday route 7 days a week every 5 minutes (peak) / 10 minutes (off peak) for now. These service intervals are example intervals.

UCAC Meeting

I just got back from the UCAC meeting and there were several important points brought up. Let me start from the beginning: The committee chair Julian R. Scott made me feel very uncomfortable. His "My Way or the Highway" seemed to be taken to the extreme. There were a couple of times I wanted to say something (or ask a question), but I was too frightened to ask.

For example, Bike Racks on the trolleys.This is a picture form Charlottesville (VA) Transit. Notes:

• SAME Optima American Heritage Streetcar
• SAME Sportworks Bike Rack for Buses
• SAME "Cow Catcher"
  

Route 23

(Click the image for a larger one)

I think I struck silver. Heading home from the UCAC meeting with committee member Henry Ryto, we spotted something rare: a 2000 series Gillig Lowfloor on Route 23 at the 9:45 PM Military Circle lineup. I didn't want to believe it at first. According to the driver, she usually has an 1800. If I got a picture of that, it would be one heck of a gold mine.

960

My poll now asks, where should the Pembroke area stop be.

Your choices are:

• Silverleaf Park & Ride (ONLY) - this is HRT's proposal
• Pembroke/Town Center (ONLY)
• Silverleaf during peak commute hours and Pembroke/Town Center during off-peak hours (this is what Va Beach wants)
• Both stops, every trip

NOTE: This poll does not look at the other stops. It WILL ALSO stop at Charlotte St (Downtown Norfolk) and 19th & Pacific at the Oceanfront. In addition, I feel that it should stop at the VB Convention Center. This poll does NOT look at these other stops, it only focuses on the Pembroke area stop. For details, please see my previous post about the MAX Presentation.

Hybrids

Thanks to an HRT employee for sharing these pictures. These are beautiful buses and I can't wait to see them in revenue service.

BIKE RACKS!!!! :)

Unlike previously described to me, these buses will carry TWO, not four 10-16s

The infamous Step-up-to-Seat


Note the configuration of the seating


The original picture, before the bike racks and fareboxes were installed


Drivers area. Note that darn Odyssey Farebox (the kind that has a hard time swallowing dollar bills)

This is a picture I took of 4003 at TCC

This image is mine. See the Creative Commons license attached to the blog for usage permissions.

The MAX Presentation

HRT now has a PDF completely describing The Max. It's a wonderful idea that needs a bit of tweaking, especially Route 960 Norfolk-Va Beach (Route 24 Replacement). It only has Lot 39, Charlotte St, Silverleaf, and 19th & Pacific.

Route 960 (Oceanfront to Downtown Norfolk)

• What about the Pembroke transfer point?
• What about the VB Convention Center (an acceptible alternative would be to meet the 20 at 19th & Pacific; although Route 960 should exit 264 @ Birdneck and proceed LOCAL up 19th St or 17th St to 19th & Pacific
• On the present day Route 24, many workers get off on Va Beach Blvd between Ballentine & Charlotte
• Where's Ft. Story service? Currently, that's served by Route 24

Route 961 (Downtown Norfolk to Wards Corner to Hampton to Newport News)

• How about a Chesapeake Square-Newport News-Hampton route (once an hour?)
• How about 30 minutes day / 60 minutes evening for weekdays
• This should be Charlotte St-Lot 39-Wards-Corner-HTC-NNTC instead of Lot 39-Charlotte-Wards Corner-HTC-NNTC
  

Route 121

• I wish this had a MAX like schedule (similar to 961)
• Its routing is fine (NNTC-Pat Henry-WAT Transit Center)
  

In general

• Fare is $3 / $1.50(?) Senior
• What about 30-Day passes (that MUST be able to work on ALL buses: circulator, local, and MAX and hopefully the Ferry)
• Why is Suffolk loosing out on mid-day and weekend service to the Magnolia Park & Ride?
  

MAX Presentation

The MAX

HRT is going to start new service called The MAX (Metro Area eXpress) - which will completely replace Routes 19, 22, 24, and 61 - starting June 2008. There is a Public Notice PDF that tells you to refer to the website (www.gohrt.com) to learn more about The MAX. There is currently NO link describinig in detail the new service.

• MAX Public Notice (PDF)

Yes, I will be at the public hearing because (from what I hear), this will be wonderful service 5 AM to 9 PM FAST connections throughout the region. Too bad the existing 121 (NNTC/WAT Transit Center) isn't included.

UCAC: Never Mind

Never Mind: The meeting is STAYING IN HAMPTON. Southside riders: take the 61 to HTC and transfer to the 103 SHELL RD/NNTC

UCAC Meeting Possibly Moved

Since most everyone currently in the User Citizens Advisory Committee is located on the Southside, the meeting may be moved:

6:30 PM, 15th Street, Norfolk, served by Routes 1, 3, and (a couple of blocks away) Route 23 is what is proposed. The date (Wednesday) is still the same and so is the time (6:30 PM).

UPDATE: The meeting is STAYING IN HAMPTON. Southside Riders, catch the 61 to HTC and transfer to the 103 Shell Rd / NNTC

Pembroke Detour, oh what fun

Yesterday, the inbound 20 leaving Pembroke at 11:15 went through the neighborhood. The correct "new" detour is RIGHT onto Constitution.

HRT, if you're going to alter the detour, please inform your drivers. This specific driver only does the 20 once a week. If it wasn't for the supervisor tailing her up Betsy Ross and John Jay, she wouldn't know. The detour info sheet in her routing schedule showed the original detour.

Supervisors, please exit the vans and talk to the drivers and passengers.

Apology

So apparently I'm wrong about who doesn't support transit. Meyra, I do apoligize for my name calling.

Route 49 Discontinued

Please be advised that, effective April 7th, Route 49 (the Portsmouth Ferry Shuttle, formerly the Park & Sail) will be discontinued. In its place will be The Loop which will run as follows:

• 7 AM to 10 AM: Every 30 minutes, timed to the arrival of the Ferry at the High St landing
• 10 AM to 8 PM: Every 15 minutes
• 8 PM to Midnight: Every 30 minutes, timed to the arrival of the Ferry at the High St landing

Service will be Weekdays & Saturdays. From April 7th to April 20th, service will be free. HRT is still determining what the fare structure will be afterwords (I chime in on several blog entries discussing this matter).

• HRT Passenger Alert
• Portsmouth is in 'the Loop' with Shuttle Buses
  

George's Corner

the 2:45 lineup at TCC and George asked for specific buses. This is a start

The Falling Sign

As always, clicking the image gives you a larger size

I have advised HRT as follows:

The bus stop sign located at University Dr & Faculty Blvd (served by Route 25 (INBOUND) and Route 33 (OUTBOUND)) is about ready to fall. If a bus gets too close to the sign, they will hit it with their right side mirror.

The sign simply needs to be reset into the ground, possibly a little deeper to keep it from falling again.

Funny, this sign was installed only recently.

The Pembroke Detour

From the Pilot: "The southernmost intersection of Constitution Drive and Corporation Lane will remain closed to through traffic through about March 26. A sanitary sewer line is being replaced."

Pilot Warrior Article

I can't wait for it to be done so buses can resume regular route. This detour is nothing but a mess.

Hybrid Update

UPDATE: From discussions with Operator 6362 (Claude): These buses will be able to carry FOUR 10-16s (wheelchairs). All other buses today are able to carry two. Apparently, the Hybrids are 30 foot buses (the existing 1400s are 25 foot buses for comparison).

Next time I see one stopped somewhere, I will try to get a look inside. I can't wait to see these in action.

(possible) Welcome Aboard, Board Approved Snitch

I just got a call from HRT. Looks like I might be coming aboard UCAC next week. I'm excited. Look for details soon, but for now, I expect details from my City Councilman any day :)

And yes, southside members will be transported back across the Ditch.

Sources:

• UCAC January 2008 meeting minutes
• UCAC March 2008 Agenda
  

Look what was at TCC

Have a look at what was at the 10:45 lineup: Bus 4003 (as always, click the image for a larger version). These are the new Hybrids. What I really need is an interior picture.

HRT: when will us passengers get to ride? I'm ready to ditch the trolleys right now.

(Lack of) Customer Service

let me be 100% honest: there are some people at 222-6100 who don't have any clue about navigating the system. A couple of times, I've applied for a Customer Service position, both with 15th Street and Trolley Base (for 24th Street) because I do know the Southside (TRT) buses that well. I would call when I'm not sure about navigating a Northside (Pentran) bus. I would prefer to be able to choose who I connect to. For example, once when I was at HTC, someone was calling in trying to find out how to go on Tidewater Dr north of Little Creek Rd. The agent was incorrectly looking at a Route 8 schedule so I whispered "she needs the number 5". Having never been to the southside, this specific agent (this was several months ago so I would not remember them) wouldn't even think to check Route 5. At the time, I was living by Ocean View Station and used the 5 plenty of times and knew perfectly well it went on Tidewater between Granby and Bayview.

Pembroke

HRT: heading southbound on Constitution IS passable as of the other day. Meaning buses ARE able to meet at the back of the mall and make a right onto Constitution towards the Blvd. Anyone been there recently who can confirm this? I will be traveling that way Thursday afternoon and won't be able to doublecheck until then.

HRT Meetings

Board & UCAC meetings are coming up next week. Look for me to attend both. My agenda:

Board Meeting

• SUPPORT the Day Pass
• OPPOSE elimination of 10-Ride
• SUPPORT express/local/circulator fare structure*
• OPPOSE elimination of Transfers
• SUPPORT one combined pass for all service
  

Yes, I've changed my mind about transfers again. I'm moving towards a Puget Sound regional transit style of passes/fares.


* As long as fares are upgradeable. For example, if I board a local bus for $1.50 and ask for a transfer and want a $2.00 express bus, I should be able to show my transfer, pay $0.50, and get a transfer punched to show I paid the upgraded fare.

The Personal Blog

I've created a new blog that is mainly for non-HRT things. Read it now at The Personal Blog.

Anonymous Comments

I didn't realize anonymous comments were disabled. Now, they are turned on so anyone can comment on articles. I will be emailed when you leave a comment; let's keep it polite.

Pembroke Transit Study

That was quite interesting. Of course, being a bus rider, I mainly focused on the transit aspect.

First thing's first: I got introduced to the strange (and that's being polite) ways of the Virginia Beach Taxpayers' Alliance. Let's put it like this: plain nuts. (see Avenging Archangel for plenty of details). They don't want to hear anyone else's thoughts.

Now, onto the transit study

For the most part, this is a step in the right direction both Pembroke specific and VB in general although there was no mention of existing services (Routes 36 and 61 currently serve Town Center on Constitution and Columbus, but they're only once an hour, they cut out around 6 PM and the 36 doesn't run on Sundays).

I liked some of the corridor ideas, for example Pembroke to Kempsville (former Route 60 - axed ages ago) or to TCC (Route 36) and on to the Muni center (Route 36 to Route 33). In () means how you get there now.

There's also plans for local circulators, for example park out at Silverleaf (for example) and ride the bus into Town Center. This would really ease congestion coming from the south. From the north, there's plenty of unused parking in the north end of the Pembroke Mall parking lot, so why not?

DowntownVB.com, the site of the study (be advised: there are some links that just don't work as of this blog entry)

Pembroke/Town Center Open House

I've arrived and everything will begin shortly. I'll have a full report when I'm done

Meyera Oberndorf

Seems Oberndorf supports transit. Hmm...I really do wish because buses would run at night and on Sunday if she was really pro-transit. Why is Va Beach not wanting to increase funding to HRT to $5 million a year (to keep the status quo) + some extra to have night/Sunday service? I really wish I didn't have to have a post like this.

Trolley Base's Crybaby Supervisor

Someone explain this. When you're hungry, you gotta eat. A Trolley Base driver (not naming names) recently got 10 points taken away because she made a pit stop at the Holiday Inn to get something from the vending machine. In this case, it was a small bag of chips (the size that comes with your sub at Subway). The supervisor had the nerve to call it "a bag of goodies!"

My feeling is that if you're hungry, you're hungry. Just don't make a mess about things. Yes, I'm guilty of eating on the bus plenty of times. I know plenty of operators who do it as well (I will not mention your names). BTW: Yes, I still call it Trolley Base because so does everyone else (even though, officially, it's supposed to be "Virginia Beach Base").

New Look, New License

There's a new look. There's also a license for this blog now. I also notice I'm linked from 757 Hampton Roads. The more the merrier.

Town Center

Tomorrow, I'm going to the transit meeting at Town Center's Sandler Center. Since transit is so bad, I have to duck out early. The last bus leaves Pembroke at 6:10 PM. The meeting is from 5 PM to 7 PM.

Kirn Tide Station, Take 2

A while back, I blogged about having the Kirn Library rebuilt over the Tide Station. Seems like I'm not the only one who has that idea. 757 Hampton Roads also has the same idea with the Future of Kirn Library. HRT, since I know you read my blog, please have a look at these links.

The Mother of All Detours: Pembroke Mall

Someone from HRT needs to 'splain that strange and confusing detour for all Pembroke buses. Here it is

ROUTE 20 OUTBOUND (towards the OCEANFRONT)

• LEFT Independence
• RIGHT Jeanne
• SERVICE Temporary Pembroke Transfer Point
• LEFT Betsy Ross
• LEFT John Jay
• RIGHT Constitution
• LEFT Independence
• LEFT Va Beach Blvd
• CONTINUE Regular Route

This adds 5-10 minutes. Why not ask Pembroke permission to use that back parking lot, which is hardly ever used anyways or permission for the old HQ parking lot since no one uses it?

For more: Avenging Archangel - This Obviously Isn't Going to Work

HRT Fare Study

I finally got my hands on the Fare Study. This mostly makes sense. I'm revising what I'd do as follows:

• Local Circulars (The NET, The Loop, VB Wave (Route 30 ONLY)): $0.50
• Local Bus (including VB WAVE Routes 31 and 32 since they're long): $1.50
• The Tide, Elizabeth River Ferry: $2.00
• Express buses, The MAX: $3.00

Passes for a higher price service are valid on a lower value service. For example, purchasing a Day Pass for use on The MAX would be valid on ALL HRT services. No transfers provided, instead purchase a Day Pass on board the bus. Price depends on what mode of transit (local circular, local bus, Tide/Ferry, or Express/MAX). If, for example, you purchase a Day Pass on the local bus, you may pay extra if you know you're getting on board a higher price service (for example, if you know you're transferring to The MAX). Simply inform the driver that you wanted a MAX Day Pass, for example.

Read the Fare Study

From the Link : An update on my fare changes stance

I was able to read The Link, HRT's employee newsletter, today and was able to read up on proposed fare changes. I was also able to chat with a driver and discuss what HRT's up to. With that in mind, this is what I'd do:

* Local Circulars (The NET, The Loop, VB WAVE Route 30, Jump over Jeff if it was brought back, Naval Station Shuttle): $0.50 / $0.25
* Local Bus (includes VB Wave Routes 31 and 32 since they are longer than a Local Circular): $1.50 / $0.75
* Express Bus, The Tide, Elizabeth River Ferry: $2.00 / $1.00
* Day Pass (Good for all services): $3.50 / $1.75

The fares are Regular / Youth-Senior-Disabled

DO NOT eliminate the 10-Ride cards. The transfers can kick the bucket (buy an All-Day Pass). Passes can be sold in incremental prices to reflect what service you want. For example, a 30-Day pass:

A $20 pass would let you on the Local Circulars only
A $30 pass would let you on the Local Circulars and Local Buses
A $50 pass would let you on ALL services
These prices are examples and aren't set in stone. If, for example, you have a Local Bus pass, you may insert it into an Express Bus farebox, then insert an extra $0.50 to cover the fare difference.

See Sound Transit's Pass Policy for more on covering the fare difference. Scroll down to "How to use PugetPass On ST Express Bus". This could also be the policy for Day Pass holders.

HRT Fare Changes: My Opinion

HRT is going to hold a public hearing at the end of the month to for a minor (well, compared to what I would want to have seen) change. Here's what I'd like to happen:
(keep in mind that the fares below are just examples)

* Local Circulars (The NET, The LOOP, and VB Wave for example): $1.00
* Regular Bus Fare: $1.50 (including The Tide and the Ferry)
* MAX Express Bus: $3.00

Here's an example:
Suppose I board the 36 at TCC wanting to goto Downtown Norfolk. Since I know I'm going to be transferring to the MAX at Pembroke or Silverleaf (exact stop TBD), insert $1.50 into the farebox and get a transfer. When I arriver at Pembroke (I'll use Pembroke in this example), transfer to the Downtown MAX. When I insert my transfer into the farebox, I'll owe $1.50. I can insert that $1.50 and ask for a transfer which will be encoded to show I paid the $3 fare.

Sources:

* Sound Transit Transfer Policy
* Sound Transit Monthly Pass
* TriMet Transfer Policy
* TriMet TV: If the Fare Machine is Broke (Light Rail ticket vending machine)

HRT Rumor Mill

Rumor has it that Route 17 (The NET) is going to start costing $0.50. Along with The Loop in Portsmouth, it better accept my standard 30-Day Pass as well as all HRT bus fare media. Ditto should happen to the Wave (Routes 30, 31, and 32). I don't mind these buses having fare, but they should accept HRT farecards. Anyone out there who will confirm/dispell/deny these rumors?

Pembroke Detour Updated

The detour for all buses in Pembroke has changed and this will shave several minutes for all routes.

* All routes, All directions: FIRST RIGHT to Corporation so you're across the street from bus shelters. LEFT onto Constitution. CONTINUE on Regular Route. Basically, you're doing the Pembroke Loop backwards. BE ON THE ALERT for passengers who will stay in the shelters until the bus approaches.

Oops on the 36

Yesterday, the 36 that left Pembroke at 5:10 PM forgot to service Constitution and Columbus. The detour threw the driver off as he went straight down Independence Blvd. Oops. Hopefully there were no passengers needing him.

Route 36 drivers, the correct Detour route is:

FIRST RIGHT into Corporation, so you're across the street from Bus Shelters
RIGHT onto Constitution
LEFT onto Jeanne
LEFT onto Independence
LEFT onto Va Beach Blvd
RIGHT onto Constitution
CONTINUE regular route

Public Hearing: Fare Changes Proposed - UPDATED

The public hearing for the Proposed Fare Changes HAS A NEW LOCATION. The date (Thursday, March 27th) and the time (1:30 PM) are still the same. The meeting HAS MOVED to the 15th Street facility located at 1500 Monticello Ave. This is served by Routes 1, 3, and (a block or two away) 23.

HRT Sued over Sexual Assault, Part 3

The Virginian-Pravda Article

We're having an active discussion on the Pilot comment board about this. I will be following this case and I do hope HRT and the driver are found innocent (since the incident happened AFTER the child left the bus)

The best comments can be found on Avenging Archangel's blog

Route 44C

Route 44 has a new route and schedule. Now, service to the Hospital is every HOUR. There is new service to the Wally World along U.S. 17 (the old Mid City Shopping Center) using U. S. 58 to Rodman.

Bring back 30-Minute service to Norfolk General so that people along the new "C" stretch can get to the Hospital

HRT Sued over Sexual Assault, Part 2

Now that I re-read the story, here's a problem: How the heck would she be asked to leave the bus at 1:45 AM? Was their a breakdown and the bus run late? See the Route 20 schedule. It's supposed to be at the Oceanfront at 12:57 AM. There's no merit for this suit against HRT. There's plenty of evidence to convict whoever raped the minor (give them Life (this way they have the rest of their life to think about what they did) and throw away the key). Everyone knows you have to get off the bus at the end of the line.

Avenging Archangel put it perfectly: "Yes, what happened was very unfortunate. However, IMO, the only potential case here would be based on what - if anything - was said directly between the driver and the girl at 19th Street. Did she ask for help and he refused? If not, you can't blame HRT or the driver."

HRT Sued over Sexual Assault

First, read the Virginian-Pilot article: http://hamptonroads.com/2008/03/hrt-driver-sued-over-sexual-assault-teen

Now, for my comment:

Don't get me wrong, this was a tragic event, but it was fully preventable and is not HRT's fault. As I write in the Pilot comment section:

It's HRT's fault that someone boarded the last #20 heading to the Beach? It's HRT's fault that "Jane Doe" never said anything? Let's see: she's never been on a bus before. Simple: tell the driver where you're going. She looked young and disheveled? So do plenty of other people who board the bus. All she had to do was say something to the driver and they would've pulled the bus over to the side and got on the radio and a supervisor would've been there pronto (or, in the event of an extreme emergency - this time I think would qualify - the police or paramedics would respond). HRT does have a Youth Crisis procedure; it is up to the passenger to say something. On most buses, this is posted right behind the driver in case they need to review what they need to do. Seeing that she got on at Little Neck heading towards the Beach – the last #20 leaves Pembroke Mall either direction at 12:15 AM and the last one leaves the Blvd & Little Neck Rd at 12 AM towards Norfolk and 12:30 AM towards the Beach – simply alert the driver and none of this would’ve happened.

Don't forget to read the entry on Avenging Archangel's blog.