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.

It's Official

I just got back from the Harbor Park Tide Station. It's now official, The Tide is now officially under construction with a scheduled opening of 2010 and I can't wait :)

The Tide Groundbreaking

Need transportation to Harbor Park? Route 17 (The NET) will run to Harbor Park from 10 AM to 4 PM. Basically, "Saturday Game Day" route.

Email I received:

Hi Michael,

Just wanted to let you know that the Route #17 (The NET) will be running to Harbor Park on Saturday for the Groundbreaking event from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM. We will run the Saturday route as we always do, but will deviate to Harbor Park for this event.

Thanks!

Marie Arnt

---

From: Michael Ragsdale
Sent: Wednesday, November 28, 2007 12:23 PM
To: Marie Arnt
Subject: Transportation to the Groundbreaking

Is the #17 (NET Bus) going to run its Saturday (Game Day) route to provide bus service to/from Harbor Park on Saturday, December 8^th for the Tide Groundbreaking? I would like to be able to attend but walking from St. Paul’s Blvd is too far. Also, when the event ends at 3, I will be having to break my neck trying to catch the #6 or #13 leaving Charlotte at 3:15 or 3:20 respectively. This is why I hope the NET bus will run to Harbor Park. It normally only goes to Harbor Park on weekends when there’s a Tides game going on.

Michael Ragsdale

Route 15

This message is to the Street Supervisor who gave Route 15 (the 2:15 PM bus at the Naval Exchange on December 1st) Greenbrier Mall permission to dead-head to Military Circle:


You do realize that on Saturdays that Route 15 runs every TWO HOURS. You left passengers at Wards Corner and Evelyn Butts & J as well as all intermediate stops having to wait for 90 MINUTES. You have NO AUTHORITY to have these people be that late to work. I understand that the previous driver reported a 10-34, but that is no excuse to dead-head when the bus is every 2 hours, but what really needed to be done was to 10-33 even though the bus was 10-30 by 30 minutes

While I'm thinking about it, the new MAX better have bike racks.

Yes, I am VERY 10-13 right now.

You're Invited

The Tide Groundbreaking Ceremony is Saturday, December 8th 1-3 PM at Harbor Park and HRT is inviting everyone. For more information, see the HRT Rider Alert.

4702

Miss D, I will be seeing you Friday if I can get up early enough

Black Friday

I'm going to be on a BRIGHT and EARLY bus. Either thew 5:45 or 6:45 bus. My only complaint is that it's a SATURDAY schedule. Now how are people on Routes 25 & 85 supposed to get to the sales?