Go Figure

I'm not surprised that several posters are attacking HRT and Virginia Beach over the new Gillig Lowfloor Hybrids that are replacing the antique trolleys. The only bus riders who are complaining are the riders who, like myself, are stranded after 7 PM and on Sundays (and we're wanting evening / Sunday service).

I think it's time to clean The House of No before the damage gets worse. Yes folks, (even you VBTA) it does cost money to do things.

As far as transit in Virginia Beach into the evening and Sundays, we're working on that. HRT President & CEO Michael Townes charged Henry Ryto and myself to lobby for mass transit dollars for Virginia Beach.

In the long range, I support these projects:
TRANSIT:

• Expanded bus AND light rail service
• A better organized fare structure for HRT (in the works according to HRT)
  
• Transit to ORF (there's a plan in the works for the next General Assembly session)
• Commuter Rail to Richmond (bi directional, see Trinity Railway Express, which is all day bi-directional commuter rail between Dallas and Ft. Worth, for ideas)
  

ROADS:

• Tolling (I used to drive from Ocean View Station to Busch Gardens and I would've been more than happy to pay a toll to cross - this is also the reason I gladly paid $0.75 to use the Jordan since there wasn't much of a line even at rush hour)
• Expanded HRBT (4 lanes per direction at minimum in the long run from U.S. 460/Wards Corner to U.S. 258)
• The "4th" crossing, if there's demand for it
• U.S. 460 between Suffolk & Petersburg
• I-64 3 lanes from Newport News to Richmond
  

VB Wave Grand Opening

Well, they're here!!! Trolleys are (almost) History!!!!Mayor Meyera Oberndorf & VB City Councilman cut the ribbon

Route 30 Atlantic Ave

Podium

The new VB Wave logo, a surfer

About The Green Carpet

Since these are environmentally friendly buses, this is made-from-recycled carpet that is highly recyclable. Yes, green for environmentaly friendly.

Cussed out on Route 32

The 3 PM 33 broke down so I started making my way to 19th & Pacific to catch a 20. I noticed a 32 preparing to make a left onto US-58/Laskin so I made a mad dash to catch it.

I inserted my 30-Day Pass into the farebox and when the box complained ("reject"), the driver asked to see it. "We don't take those passes."

"This is an HRT bus and an HRT pass. Is there a problem?" I asked politely

"We don't take those God-damn passes!"

Be lucky I didn't 10-5 Trolley Base on the spot. Next time this occurs, I WILL 10-5 Trolley Base IMMEDIATELY and I will REFUSE to deboard the bus.

VB Wave Shuttle Service

Click the images for larger versions. This is the VB Wave Shuttle Brochure HRT will be putting out for the VB Wave Shuttle. Note that the 31 and 32 are now called "Shuttles" instead of "Express" which makes much more sense. This weekend, I will be getting further information on the new Fare Structure which will allow complete portability between all the different bus services.

For example, inserting a VB Wave pass into a regular bus fare box and you'll be prompted for $0.50. Inserting a regular 30-Day card into a MAX bus will prompt you for $1.50. Inserting that same card will soon work on the VB Wave.

Look for a rollout of the new Hybrids Wednesday May 21st at 2 PM at 31st Street. I will be there.



Some notes reading this map (could someone hopefully give me correct information please)

• Apparently, the 32 does NOT go into Lynnhaven Mall any more
  
• Apparently, the 32 does NOT go into the Hilltop Shopping Centers any more
• Apparently, the 31 does NOT go into Ocean Breeze any more
• Apparently, the 31 does NOT go into either VA Aquarium building parking lots any more

Hybrid at HQ

What's going on with this Hybrid @ HQ? (as always, click the image for a larger version)

A Message to Headquarters: We want the trolleys replaced now

My poll closed today and in a 12-zip vote, we would like to have the Hybrids released immediately to replace the trolleys on the main routes, which comprise routes 25, 26, 27, 29, and 33*

I invite commissioners and staff to come ride the mainline trolleys for an "unannounced tour" type of ride so that you get an idea of what it's really like. Most importantly would be a ride on Route 29, which is consistently late 6 days a week, even on Saturdays.


* Starting June 27th, 18th Street & Trolley Base will swap the 33 and 85

Route 317

This is an idea I've been having for a bit:

When the hybrids come out, renumber Route 17 (The NET) as Route 317 to keep with HRT's new "300 series" routes denoting local circulators (300: Portsmouth Loop; 310: Downtown Norfolk Shuttle) and extend it to the Cedar Grove transfer center as an "in addition" to Route 310. Route and times would be the same, just one extra stop.

As a TCC student who used to attend the Downtown campus, Route 17 is an invaluable asset. When I used to live off Hampton Blvd, I would take Route 2 to Olney & Granby and transfer to Route 17 at its Stop #4 and get off at Stop #7 all the time. This extension should run all day 7 days a week.

Speaking of The NET, Norfolk: why are there no signs at Stop #1 telling passengers that service is only 9 AM to 3 PM weekdays at that stop?

The Hybrids

So now the question is: Given the condition of the trolleys, should HQ allow Trolley Base use the hybrids immediately?

This is primarily for the mainline routes (25, 26, 27, 29, and 33*) since I feel that's where bike racks are needed. Besides, due to the nature of any hybrid vehicle, they don't make sense on stop-and-go traffic of Atlantic Ave.


* Effective June 27th, Trolley Base will take Route 33 and 18th Street will take Route 85.

1403

Trolley Base, this bus has plenty of problems: no radio, broken back door, working interlock (which, when you're running late, slows you down), sometimes stalls.

To whoever isn't allowing Trolley Base to use Hybrids: The trolleys are so bad, it's time to put Hybrids on the mainline trolley routes (25, 26, 27, 29, and 33*) which, due to the nature of the Hybrid drive system, makes much more sense than on say Route 30.

* Trolley Base takes over Route 33 from 18th Street effective June 27th in exchange, 18th Street gets Route 85.

To Victoria Blvd (or Michael Townes?)

This message is to whoever isn't letting us ride Hybrids:

So I'm told that Virginia Beach Base requested usage of the Hybrids they're housing but you say no. The trolleys make your 500s look brand new. We would like to be able to use the Hybrids right now because there is no more excuse for using the trolleys any more. I understand you want to do have a roll out ceremony, so let's do that right now. Let's have that ceremony right now and let's get these Hybrids rolling on the main lines (yes, the main lines) right now.

Route 300 - A Review

I got to ride Route 300, the new Portsmouth Loop, and what a joy it was. The bus is amazing (see my Hybrid Bus post for more about the buses) and the route is wonderful. Portsmouth, you got something nice going (too bad it doesn't run on Sundays).

My thoughts:

• If it turns out that there isn't enough ridership to warrant the Loop every 15 minutes at the Naval Hospital, why not alternate between Naval Hospital and Crawford Pkwy.
• It's a wonderful idea going between County & Court and the Ferry Landing. Too bad you have to do the whole Loop to get from the Ferry Landing to County & Court.
• $0.50 fare? That's reasonable. The bus will take ALL fare media (10 Rides, 30 Day, Transfers, etc). Too bad it doesn't give transfers. The operator around lunch time on Bus 4000 had an idea: Why not encode the transfer so that it'll tell the other fareboxes the passenger owes $1.00? Then again, since HRT will be dumping transfers come September (maybe the 300 not giving transfers is a good thing)

Route 300 has its own distinctive bus stop sign (sorry about the "bent look", it's my camera)

City of Portsmouth logo on the bus

This is the Downtown Loop

I can proudly say, it's environmentally friendly. This distinctive hump is the hybrid system

Another Loop logo

Effingham Street going Inbound from the Naval Hospital. The driver left her "300 NAVAL HOSPITAL" sign on. Going inbound, it'll say "300 COUNTY ST".

The destination sign. Yep, I'm being reflected in the image

There is room for two wheelchairs
The bus interior, looking back. All seats wrap around the sides. The only forward facing seats are in the very back.
Last but not least: those darned Odyssey Fareboxes; the same kind that are nit-picky about $1.00 bills

Route 300

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

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.

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.

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.

The Loop, Portsmouth

Introducing The Loop, Portsmouth's newest way to get around. Finally, there will be service to the Naval Hospital (currently, the nearest stop is High St & Effingham St served by Routes 45, 47, and 50) weekdays & Saturdays.

For more information: The Virginian-Pilot

Yes, I have these requirements:

• It MUST take my 30-Day Pass
• It MUST accept and offer Transfers which work on all other buses
• It MUST take 10-Rides and the 7-Day cards