We Go There Too (working title)

Considering it's a pain in the we-know-where to haul around schedules, I had an idea come to mind. I'm working on a book I'm calling (for now) We Go There Too. In it, I'm including all HRT routes and schedules for both sides of the water as well as need to know information.

Why? It's more of a curiosity thing and, even though I know all Southside bus schedules by heart, I think it's time HRT made a schedule book. For an example of what I'm working on, here's a PDF version of Sound Transit's Get Ready to Ride Transit Guide.

Political School

So I just had a major political lesson yesterday at the City Council Retreat.

• Apparently, Council Objective #1 is "Be friendly to bloggers" ;)
• VB Cares about a bus system. Since Council wants light rail so badly, here's the scoop: Before the Feds will even TALK about light rail, year-round bus service has to be increased by 20%. (at last: it sucks having to be home by dinner time; maybe I want to work a closing shift). Slowly but surely, it'll come.

My offer to ALL HRT Staff and VB City Council Members: Let's go for a bus ride. I'd like to take you on a tour of Fareset 4 (what HRT refers to internally as Virginia Beach; it's a Farebox thing). Important parts to head to (in no order):

• Route 12: The 4:45 PM bus leaving 20th & Seaboard (good luck between I-64 and Kemps River)
• Route 29: almost any trip (U.S. 58 and First Colonial anyone?)
• Routes 1/36: Heading outbound trying to get me home to TCC when I take the long way from Cedar Grove (this is when I'm lazy and don't want to transfer buses)
• Route 20: Pembroke & Hilltop
• Route 33: U.S. 60 between 17th St and 40th St (during Summer only)
• Routes 30/31/32: Take note that with my existing 30-Day Pass, I am unable to ride (solution: this is how it's done out west)
• Route 27: Usually late every trip on Saturday. Biggest problem? Making that left from U.S. 58 onto Newtown
  

City Council Will Ride

I have an offer from VB City Councilmember Bob Dyer (Centerville District) to go for a little bus ride as early as next week.

Time to show what some of Virginia Beach's REAL parking lots (Indian River Rd, Princess Anne @ Kempsville/Witchduck, U.S. 58 @ Independence, U.S. 58 @ First Colonial to name a few) look like and note how empty the buses are for some and standing room only for others.

ACS Funnies

(as always, click the image for full size)

Caught the 4:10 #36 out of Pembroke today. Check out the strange ACS/Navigator passenger display. It's supposed to alternate between "STOP REQUESTED", the date, and time.

In addition, it's SUPPOSED TO, but HRT is dragging its heels on this, announce cross streets, major landmarks, time points, and transfer points.

The MacArthur Tide Station

Today in the Pilot we have a proposal to really enhance the MacArthur Tide Station. All I can say is wow. This is simply a wonderful idea to tie the facility into the look of MacArthur Center and MacArthur Memorial.

Of course, the SUV drivers who will never use transit all wine about it. They complain about the cost of gas, yet they don't want to try out an idea that really saves money. I'm not surprised.

General Booth / Nimno Parkway

VB: is there a reason there's a missing part of sidewalk on Nimmo between General Booth and Newstead?

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

Run 2661

Trolley Base (Specifically Frank): why did you give 2661 permission to stand by at TCC knowing full well there could be passengers waiting for it on Rosemont. I understand she was 20 minutes late but you don't do that when buses are every hour.

While I'm no the subject, Linda: do not lollygag. You wanted the hours and now that they've been given to you, don't call Frank and ask someone to cover your last two hours.

Trolley 667

This hunk of junk has no air and may need a 10-14 (which, by the way, are all housed in Norfolk) to haul it back to the base

1403 Update

Yesterday on the 4:53 trip from TCC, bus 1403 made it to the Holiday Inn then a fuel line burst. Now I think this bus will finally be sidelined. I've blogged about this bus several times.

Route 33

Every day 6 days a week, the 9:45 AM trip from TCC is always late coming from the garage. HRT: explain yourself

I understand once or twice, but this is every day on this specific trip

I can't wait until Trolley Base takes over June 27tth

More fun with 1403

There is NO excuse for having this dangerous piece of scrapheap rolling. Problems:

• Back door can fly open at any time, even while traveling down Princess Anne Road at 50 mph, which will engage the emergency brake
• No radio
• NO A/C units in the Thermoking (to be honest: HRT usually starts installing A/C units in May on a rolling basis)
  

Sideline this bus immediately and PROPERLY fix it.

The Local Pass

$1.00 All Day Trolley Pass (valid on Routes 30, 31, and 32 only)

I just got off the phone with HRT and inquired about the Locals' $1.00 day pass for the WAVE. "An announcement will be made later this month," was the reply.

I say, continue to sell them. Even better, let us use our 30-Day passes on the WAVE.

Route 25 Holiday Inn <--> Oceanfront Express

The other day, as I was preparing to board the outbound 25 at the Holiday Inn to head to school, someone asked if the bus was a hotel shuttle to the Oceanfront. I replied, "Take this bus to TCC and transfer to the 33."
"No, I want to head to the Oceanfront."
"Take this bus to TCC and transfer to the 33," I repeated.
"Is this a hotel shuttle?"
"No it's not," I answered.
"How much is it?"
"$1.50 each way," I finished as the Outbound 25 pulled up.

1403 AGAIN

This isn't my first post about 1403. Same problems as before, it hasn't been fixed all. VB Base, sideline this bus - it is dangerous. It's biggest thing: the back door can fly open at any moment engaging the emergency brake even while traveling down PA Road at 50 mph


This bus needs to be taken out of service immediately.