Labor Day Service

As a reminder, HRT service tomorrow will be a SATURDAY schedule.

The Tide Electrical Systems

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

Yes Reid, BELOW budget.

Bus Ride with Scott Taylor

In an Ideas for HRT exclusive, I will be riding the bus on Monday (Labor Day) with Virginia Beach mayoral candidate Scott Taylor. This will be your chance to ask questions and his chance to learn what needs to be done. We will be departing TCC at 9:45 AM and will figure out where to go from there. Anyone with ideas?

Remember: Monday is a Saturday Schedule. In Virginia Beach, this means:

• There is NO service on Route 25
• Route 20 is every 30 minutes between Cedar Grove and Pembroke. Points west are every hour
• Service between 19th & Pacific and 68th & Atlantic is every 30 minutes, alternating between the 20 and 33
• There is NO 967 MAX service
• There is NO 19 or 22 NOB Express
• Route 15 runs every 60 minutes, alternating every 120 minutes between Robert Hall and Greenbrier Mall
  

Public Transit Open House

Mark your calendar:

Tuesday, September 16th 7 - 9 PM at the VB Convention Center. Yes, I'm fully aware it's AFTER buses are done for the night

The Day Pass: Another Cedar Grove?

HRT needs to swing into action and start explaining the new pass structure. Passengers are aware that something's happening in October. They are aware there will be no more Transfers. They are having a hard time grasping the Day Pass concept and some are seriously looking at getting a car.

Even drivers are misinforming since they don't have all the details. I've been having to step in (drivers know me and will have passengers talk to me when they're unsure) and clarifying, but even I don't know everything.

What is the Go card? How does it work? What's the Go + MAX plan (for example, now: 30 Day + $1.50 = MAX fare)?

What's the plan for ODU students who want to ride The MAX? ODU Card + $1.50 isn't a good end-all-be-all. There should be an ODU MAX card.

Route 47 TCC

When will the updated Route 47 schedule come out? The service change was ages ago, let's update the schedule.

The MAX 30-Day E&D

I said it before, I'll say it again: when will we get our 30-Day E&D MAX cards? HRT: you've angered many veterans at Wards Corner (just ask Henry who was helping out there during the service launch)

10-10 at Cedar Grove

Thanks for pointing this out Russell. A 10-10 at Cedar Grove ties up everything. Includes plenty of pictures.

Have a read: HRT Drivers need to pay attention, follow directions

Gillig Phantom operated by Trolley Base?

Yep you're reading right: the 26/29 was a 1200 series Phantom the other day.

Reid: Bus Rider != Freeloader

(note how Mayor Bloomberg is standing)

Uh Reid? Newsflash: us bus riders pay to use the bus. Taxes + fares Meaning we're NOT freeloaders. Try saying that to Mayor Bloomberg who rides the subway to work (at regular fare) and even straphangs* when needed

* Forgot, VBTA has limited vocabulary: straphanging is the process of standing since there's no available seat. You're hanging your hand from the strap.

Image Source: NYC EMS Blog

Problems with Route 33 and Trolley Base

Frank: The reason I gave you a 10-5 yesterday was because the 33 pulled off right as the 36 was pulling in. All she had to do was stop her bus.

Please, all operators, dispatchers, and supervisors: do your jobs. The 5:45 lineup is the final TCC lineup for:

• Route 12

• Route 25

• Route 29 (going past Hilltop)

• Route 33 (going past 19th & Pacific)

• Route 36 (continuing as Route 1 from Pembroke)

Therefore, it is crucial for everyone to WAIT

Route 57 Detour

Starting in September, on Saturdays Route 57 will need to be detoured due to closure of the Gilberton Bridge on US13/460. The city is closing the bridge for repairs Fridays 8 PM - Mondays 5 AM starting September 12th and ending October 6th.

Source: "Pravda-Online" (http://hamptonroads.com/2008/08/work-close-gilmerton-bridge-chesapeake-several-weekends)

Yesterday's Bus Ride notes

Tidbits from yesterday's bus ride

• The 44C VICTORY CROSSING via WALMART has almost quite literally 3 stops: High & FL, Wal-Mart (former Mid-City Shopping Center), and Victory Crossing. Why are there no other bus stops (Airline Blvd maybe?). Is there a reason this bus doesn't go to Norfolk General?
  
• This is MAX driver #2 to not honor my 30-Day at $1.50 (first afternoon 967, leaving Chesapeake Square at 3:20 PM)
• How about corrected 47 schedules? While we're at it, correct Route 47 destination signs
• Correct the system map: Route 33 is a "LOCAL" not "TOUR"
• What's the plans for the #7 (NOB tour), #34 (Oceana Tour), and #924 (Historic Villages Tour)? FTA says they fall under the new Charter regulations. Does this include the Amphitheater Shuttle?
• Route 12: please enter Indian River Park & Ride when the 967 is running (or relocate the #12 bus stop to be closer to Reon + City of VB add a crosswalk at Reon)
• I said it once, I'm saying it again: MAX 30-Day E&D cards are NEEDED (Henry can vouch for several Veterans passing through Wards Corner when service was first launched)
  

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

Sorry it's been a while

Sorry it's been a while. Been up to other things