Route 47 (GEN BOOTH) - The Picture, Number 2

And here's Picture Number 2 taken this morning

Remember, this is really Route 33. Oops! (Click the picture for the larger version)

Route 47 (GEN BOOTH) - The Picture

I now have a picture to back up my Route 47 is now in Virginia Beach claim. When will this glitch be fixed? It confuses passengers who don't read the sign in full (or don't read the sign at all) and just assume it's not their bus.

(Click the picture for a larger version)

CCO Opposes Bus Service Cuts

This I'm proud of. Please read Avenging Archangel's post about the Council of Civic Organizations.

George's Corner

Concerning my last George's Corner: He's back to normal

George's Corner

Now this I don't believe. The other day, George called buses at Pleasure House and actually asked for specific buses (the 27 and Inbound 1). One small step in the right direction.

Route 47 (GEN BOOTH)

Is there a reason the 47 is consistently late coming from the garage for the 9:48 and 10:48 AM trips? Also, is there a reason it's signed "47 68TH/ATLANTIC VIA GENERAL BOOTH BL" (emphasis mine)? Last I checked, Route 47 was HIGH STREET running between CHURCHLAND and DOWNTOWN PORTSMOUTH.

How hard is it to correct the new code so that it reads Route 33? People are missing their bus because of this! Sometimes, when it is signed 47, I will LIE and say something to the effect of, "Catch the 47. The sign's broken."

HRT: There is NO excuse for this. Ditto for the 111 going to Thomas Nelson Community College (it's really the 110 and it is the same type of glitch).

Operator 6362, Run 2542

Claude: Please be aware that you left TCC at 3:51 PM today instead of the correct 3:53 PM. You left two passengers behind (myself and Amy). I'll cut you some slack this time since it's your first day and you're used to 2981 leaving at :48 after. I did 10-5 Trolley Base and spoke to Joanne at 3:52 PM today; this is why you received a 10-21.

A ride on the Granby

Today, I had an appointment at 10:30 AM at the Apple store in MacArthur. Wayne Green, Run 101, picked me up and we joked around as usual. Even better, Henry (Run 103 Ret.), visited and we joked around. The good news is going around: I am a possible appointment to the HRT Passenger Snitching Committee (as a Rt. 33 driver put it: You have a title, but you're going to be an Approved Snitch).

I had to tell my driver friends. Calvin Parker (Run 2301) shook his head thinking "I better retire".

So, 101 picks me up as he's being relieved by 136 (Ed Carroll) and I pass the good news along. Now for the fun part: Darlene (Run 2941) was rushing down Rosemont Rd passing Chimney Hill inbound towards TCC. I never knew trollies could go that fast.

George's Corner

As usual, George (2982) asked "Lineup at TCC, give this 29 as much time as possible." He showed up at 2:47 and there were transfers for the 12 and 36. Since George is never specific about what passengers want, the 12 took off at 2:48. I wasn't surprised. There were three passengers left behind because George was being George.

Metro Area Express (Ours, nor Portland's)

So I got a bit of unofficial briefing about the Metro Area Express, HRT's new express system. Some of the ideas are great. For example:

• Route 924 (replaces Route 24) should have the following stops
• Charlotte Street (Downtown Norfolk)
• Balentine Tide/Freeway Station *
  
• Town Center / Pembroke
• The Former Pavilion
  
• 19th & Pacific
• Route 961 (Downtown Norfolk-Hampton-Newport News EXPRESS)
• I would like to see the actual proposed schedule

* If you've ever been to King County, Washington, then you know what I'm talking about. Using the I-264/Balentine Blvd interchange as an example, a Freeway Station is a bus stop at the end of the ramp furthest from the interstate. This bus stop is usually located next to a park & ride lot. So in this example, the bus would exit I-264 and serve a stop next to the Balentine Tide Station which would also serve the park & ride lot. It makes more sense to see it, but my drawing skills are D-.

TDCHR Board Meeting

Don't I feel special. I was recognized today at the Transportation District Commission of Hampton Roads (the governing body of Hampton Roads Transit) board meeting by none other then the HRT President, Michael Townes himself.

As always, my gripe is why, City of Virginia Beach, can't I get around evenings / Sundays? Here's an idea: HRT needs $5 million just to keep service unchanged. Does the city have $10 million by chance? Be nice, it sure would.

For example, since I live by TCC, the last buses would leave daily at 10:45 PM at either end. Meaning that buses would pull into TCC at 11:45 PM then dead-head to the garage.

The MAX is a great start. How about including the #121 as what HRT's calling a "Local Express" (which is the equivalent of how today's Rt. 61 operates).

HRT User Citizen Advisory Committee Appointment

It's official: The Transportation District Commission of Hampton Roads made a move to support my nomination to the User Citizen Advisory Committee as a representative for Virginia Beach.

Virginia Beach Citizen 2 for UCAC

I have a recommendation for the other "dead" seat, my friend Amy Ouellette. She lives along Route 25, specifically in the Beach. On weekends, she's trapped at home and is understanding the truth about city council (that is, if it's not the Ocean Front, it's not important).

A Replacement for 15th and 18th Street

http://hamptonroads.com/2007/12/hrt-board-hires-arlington-firm-replace-buildings

Have a read. It's about time. BTW: Trolley Base needs replacement as well

Happy New Year: HRT Service Changes

Two minor changes will happen for the start of the new year:

• Route 2 will have adjusted time tables
• Route 20 will have adjusted time tables

Another change will happen in Portsmouth:

• Route 47 will serve, in both directions, the new Wally World on U.S. 17 at the site of the old Mid City Shopping Center

My comments

• Route 2 needs to be completely redone. Turn it around at Hampton & Little Creek. Use Baylor Place (the side street running behind Church's) to turn it around. Use that street to turn the 15 around too. Have a dedicated shuttle (TRANSFER REQUIRED) continue up Hampton Blvd to the NEX and continue onto the base after departing the NEX. During Midtown Tunnel Crunch Hour, reroute the inbound trips onto Colley Ave starting at ODU - no later than 38th Street.
  
• Route 20 needs to run every 15 minutes ALL DAY from 4:45 AM to 8:45 PM, every 30 minutes until 11:15 PM and one last trip at 12:15 AM on weekdays and 30 minutes from 5:15 AM to 8:15 PM and every 60 minutes until 12:15 AM on Weekends INCLUDING Sundays AND Holidays
• Route 47 does not have additional time to deviate off of High Street. It's rushing as it is now that it has to go to Churchland Library instead of Churchland Shopping Center. Route 44 doesn't have the time either. Perhaps a 44 vs 44A (similar in idea to Route 6 via Liberty vs. Route 6 via Berkley).
• For example, trips leaving the Hospital on the hour would do regular route to High & FL, continue on High to Fredrick, left on Fredrick to Wally World, right onto Turnpike back to regular route. Trips leaving the Hospital at 1/2 past would use the existing route. Again, this is only an example. But as Operator 6362 would say, "If HRT did anything that helped the passenger or made sense, it would be an accident."
  

The South Lake Union Trolley

It's official, the South Lake Union Trolley is OPENING TODAY!!!!! It's time to Ride The S.L.U.T.! Look for me roaming around the buses with my S.L.U.T. shirt :-D

Problems with Route 12 (Indian River Road)

This morning, Route 12 dropped me off so that I could catch the 15 to Greenbrier Mall. The 15 just breezed on by. When I was coming back from Greenbrier, Route 12 went on regular route (it was supposed to detour by making a left onto Providence instead of making a left onto Auburn Dr). I immediately dialed 222-6080 (Norfolk Dispatcher) and 1) Verified that the 12 was supposed to detour onto Providence - where I was waiting with my loaner bike (it was on Detour) and 2) informed Earl (the Dispatcher I spoke with) that the bus did turn onto Auburn. I was put on hold for a moment when Michelle came on the line. She told me that that driver was instructed to return to Military Hwy & Providence Rd to pick me up. That 12 never returned. The other passenger who was waiting with me called Customer Service (222-6100) who spoke with the Dispatcher who said a Supervisor would come with a van (remember: I have a bike) in about 10-15 minutes. The van never showed up. FINALLY, the 4:05 bus showed up and allowed us to ride free (he heard the whole mess over the radio). It was the 3:05 bus we were trying to catch.

Yes HRT, I am posting the Norfolk Dispatcher phone number AND I am calling out names for a reason. I believe on duty today was Michelle and Earl (at least, they are the ones I spoke to). Earl, you met me one time at Ocean View Ave @ 15th View when you paid a visit to Southside Run 531 ages ago.

To all Route 12 operators: be advised that due to road work on College Park Blvd & Auburn Drive until further notice Route 12 is on a minor detour as follows:

• Heading to TCC:

1. Drop off ALL Route 15 passengers at the first stop after making a RIGHT onto Military Hwy
   
2. LEFT onto Providence
3. Wherever you can safely stop immediately after the turn, honor Route 15 transfers
4. At Providence & College Park Blvd, continue down Providence on Regular route

• Heading to 20th & Seaboard

1. At Providence Rd & College Park Blvd, continue STRAIGHT on Providence
2. RIGHT onto Military Hwy putting you on Regular Route
3. ALL transferring will take place at Burlington Coat Factory

PLEASE NOTE: This detour has been in effect since September. I should not have to create a post like this.