TDCHR Meeting, July 25th

Here's the news

THE MAX:

• This is from Michael Townes himself (not a direct quote, but you get the idea): "By law, I only have to offer discounts on the local buses". Henry, you say you have a plan?
• Route 967 needs to be bidirectional. See Commission Packet near the end. What used to be a 60 minute commute from Hampton to Chesapeake Square is now a mismash of buses: 961-->45-->44 (that takes forever too in comparison to the old 61)
  

HRT Bus Terminals Projects:

• Military Circle is Canceled due to lack of funding. Not sure who's in charge, but if that's the case, the sidewalk needs to be extended so that it can fit more than 2 buses
  
• Victory Crossing/TCC-Portsmouth Relocation Terminal will proceed as planned

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
  

Hampton's Strange Priorities

Above: Men's Bathroom stall with missing privacy door at Hampton Transit Center
Below: Hampton Cheesewagon, with a new paint job, being pressed into Route 110 service

I just got an email from Michael Townes, President & CEO of Hampton Roads Transit, replying to an email I sent about the oh-so-wonderful men's restroom at the Hampton Transit Center. City of Hampton, the ball is in your court. What are your transit funding priorities? My impression is that your funding priorities are Grey Area Cheesewagons.

This Gillig Phantom Cheesewagon is more important than a privacy door in the Men's room? As you can see, HRT is so willing to hang on to ancient museum artifacts that they can give them new paint jobs. Apparently, it's more important than a simple, cheap privacy door on a Men's Room stall.

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

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.

It's Time to Turn the A/C On

I know A/C doesn't usually start until May, but considering how hot it is today, it's time NOW.

Trolley Base: Since they're ready, let's start using the Hybrids so the riding public on the year-round Trolley routes can check them out. We don't need bike racks on the 30, 31, or 32. Besides: the hybrid system won't be as effective on the stop-and-go of Atlantic Ave.