Tide Maintenance Shop Contract Awarded

HRT awarded a contract yesterday to construct the maintenance and storage facility for The Tide. It is a $10.9 million contract and because of NSU paranoia, er concerns, is 11.7% over budget.

NSU: since you demanded - excuse me, requested - these changes, perhaps HRT should bill you for the 11.7% or $1.5 million?

The Tide Electrical Systems

H/T to Henry Ryto: The Tide's electrical systems contract is 5% BELOW budget.

Yes Reid, BELOW budget.

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

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

The MAX: We WON!!!!

The TDCHR (the board that governs HRT) met yesterday and first up was the MAX Public Hearing. The only two speakers were Henry Rtyo of Avenging Archangel as well as myself.

The Commission approved The MAX on condition that staff adjust it as suggested by Public Comments.

Tweaks that should be implemented:

• Route 960 (Downtown Norfolk-Oceanfront) needs to stop, in addition to what's listed in the presentation, at Town Center (using the existing stops on Route 36) and the Pembroke East transfer point. In addition, it should then exit I-264 at Birdneck and head LOCAL via 19th Street to serve the convention center and finish the route at 19th & Pacific
• Route 961: Downtown THEN Cedar Grove
• Route 967: How will local connections work (12 in the VB end, 15 at Greenbrier, 44 at Chesapeake Square, and NNTC buses in Newport News)
• Senior/Disabled Fare: I'd pay $1.50 for MAX service or $45 for a 30 Day that works on everything, including Circluators, Local, Ferry, VB Wave, The Tide, and MAX