Cedar Grove: Tweaks Needed

As pointed out by Avenging Archangel, the following should be done ASAP:

• Portajohns, Please (for both drivers AND passengers)
• Expand the space so a bus can pass another

In addition: Memo to Trolley Base. Buses don't go Downtown anymore (except for Routes 6, 8, 17, 45, 61, and 310). To transfer, passengers need to head to Cedar Grove. All buses that used to be on Charlotte (except for Route 61 which continues onto the Downtown Loop, but stops at Monticello & The Blvd) PLUS Route 23 Princess Anne Rd now use Cedar Grove.

In the long run (this assumes, as stated on the HRT website, Cedar Grove will "forever" replace Charlotte St):

• Lets build sidewalks so that it's easier for the elderly to board lowfloor buses (this would be in the "very long term")
  
• Figure out how to patch up the schedules so that buses aren't sitting at Cedar Grove for 10-20 minutes
• New schedules for all Cedar Grove routes
• This new system map (that I have yet to see, but reliable sources say it's coming) must be updated for all changes (not just Cedar Grove)
• Let's get the bus stop sign for Routes 6, 8, and 45 installed on St. Paul's Blvd.
  
• Route 17 (The NET) should be extended to the bus transfer area IN ADDITION to having the 310. This should be 7 days a week, all day. The weekday Route 17 directly connects you to TCC Downtown at NET stops 6 (Freemason) and 7 (College). Since HRT seems to be using 300 series routes to refer to circulators (300: Portsmouth Loop and 310: Downtown Shuttle), it would make sense to (with the 4000 Hybrids coming) to rebrand as Route 317 (still call it The NET though, just a new route number)
  

Cedar Grove: My Complete Report

Earlier this morning, I was able to ride buses through the new Cedar Grove transfer point. It's not half bad. In fact, my transfer from the 6 to the 20 went smoothly. It wasn't 100% smooth though. When I arrived at Military Circle, I spoke to an Inbound 20 driver and he said, "A couple of passengers yelled, 'where the fuck are you going' when I made my right onto Monticello." The 20 used to make a left towards Downtown. In addition to my report, please have a read of Avenging Archangel's report.

I took a few pictures while there. As pointed out by Avenging Archangel, all it needs is portajohns. Click any picture for a larger version.

If you're going to Downtown Norfolk, catch this: Route 310 "DOWNTOWN SHUTTLE". It's FREE and runs every 15 minutes 7 days a week. I would still prefer a "Brambleton Ave Detour" and have all buses come Downtown though. Yes Norfolk, bus riders do honestly go Downtown. TCC Students and Mall workers are two perfect examples.

All new shelters at Cedar Grove

Route 6 at 20th & Seaboard with the new destination. ALL buses will now read "CEDAR GROVE" instead of "DOWNTOWN NORFOLK"

Route 20 pulls into the new Cedar Grove transfer point

UCAC: It's Really Official

Well, now it's official. Notice my name under "Virginia Beach"? :)

See HRT UCAC Website

Cedar Grove: A Full Report

Coming later today, look for my full report about the first weekday @ Cedar Grove Transit Center. I read on Avenging Archangel's (thanks for linking to me) blog about some HRT administrative employees at the office at 9 PM on a Saturday. A big hearty thank-you is in order to them given that Norfolk only gave HRT a week to make this major service change. As stated in Avenging Archangel, all that is needed for Cedar Grove is portajohns. Hey, you gotta go, you gotta go. At least with Charlotte, MacArthur as well as McDonald's were right there.

I will be in the Cedar Grove between 8:15 and 9:15 since I need to goto 15th Street to purchase my new 30-Day E&D pass since they are only on sale at HRT facilities (Farm Fresh sells all HRT Passes except the Blue 30-Day E&D pass). Look for my report between 11 AM and 11:30 AM.

Route 310 DOWNTOWN NORFOLK SHUTTLE

See Passenger Alert

Route 310 will give you DOWNTOWN NORFOLK SERVICE to ALL stops EXCEPT Charlotte. Thanks HRT. Now I can stop bitching about loosing Downtown Norfolk service. This is a FREE SHUTTLE every 15 minutes DAILY.

TDCHR Board Meeting

Due to the outlandish and inexcusable behavior of UCAC Chair Julian Scott, I will not be attending today's TDCHR board meeting. I am still interested in being a UCAC representative from Virginia Beach.

Route 300

The Loop (Portsmouth) now has a number. It is Route 300.

Salter St (formerly Charlotte St) - MAJOR DOWNTOWN NORFOLK SERVICE ELIMINATION

See HRT Website Passenger Alert

ATTENTION ALL RIDERS: Bus service to Downtown Norfolk WILL BE ELIMINATED on Monday for ALL ROUTES except for the 6, 17, 45, and 61. The 17 (The NET) will have its regular route. The 6 and 45 will have a stop on St. Paul's Blvd near Charlotte St. The 61 (DOWNTOWN NORFOLK EXPRESS route ONLY) will make all usual stops (except Charlotte St), including the Downtown Loop. There will be NO service to Downtown on ANY OTHER ROUTE. Service to Downtown will be HEAVILY RESTRICTED. Please speak to any HRT Supervisor while you are in the Downtown area for further details and instructions.

My opinions:

• Norfolk, there is NO EXCUSE for waiting for the last minute. Shame on you.
  
• HRT: Why are buses not going to Downtown at all? Salter St DOES NOT COUNT as Downtown in my book. They should make the Downtown Loop at least (using Brambleton to St. Paul's for a detour).
• If you're making us transfer to Route 17, IT NEEDS TO RUN ALL DAY to the transfer area (its Cedar Grove layover isn't good enough) 9 AM to 3 PM DOES NOT CUT IT. Also, run the Weekday route 7 days a week every 5 minutes (peak) / 10 minutes (off peak) for now. These service intervals are example intervals.

UCAC Meeting

I just got back from the UCAC meeting and there were several important points brought up. Let me start from the beginning: The committee chair Julian R. Scott made me feel very uncomfortable. His "My Way or the Highway" seemed to be taken to the extreme. There were a couple of times I wanted to say something (or ask a question), but I was too frightened to ask.

For example, Bike Racks on the trolleys.This is a picture form Charlottesville (VA) Transit. Notes:

• SAME Optima American Heritage Streetcar
• SAME Sportworks Bike Rack for Buses
• SAME "Cow Catcher"
  

Route 23

(Click the image for a larger one)

I think I struck silver. Heading home from the UCAC meeting with committee member Henry Ryto, we spotted something rare: a 2000 series Gillig Lowfloor on Route 23 at the 9:45 PM Military Circle lineup. I didn't want to believe it at first. According to the driver, she usually has an 1800. If I got a picture of that, it would be one heck of a gold mine.

960

My poll now asks, where should the Pembroke area stop be.

Your choices are:

• Silverleaf Park & Ride (ONLY) - this is HRT's proposal
• Pembroke/Town Center (ONLY)
• Silverleaf during peak commute hours and Pembroke/Town Center during off-peak hours (this is what Va Beach wants)
• Both stops, every trip

NOTE: This poll does not look at the other stops. It WILL ALSO stop at Charlotte St (Downtown Norfolk) and 19th & Pacific at the Oceanfront. In addition, I feel that it should stop at the VB Convention Center. This poll does NOT look at these other stops, it only focuses on the Pembroke area stop. For details, please see my previous post about the MAX Presentation.

Hybrids

Thanks to an HRT employee for sharing these pictures. These are beautiful buses and I can't wait to see them in revenue service.

BIKE RACKS!!!! :)

Unlike previously described to me, these buses will carry TWO, not four 10-16s

The infamous Step-up-to-Seat


Note the configuration of the seating


The original picture, before the bike racks and fareboxes were installed


Drivers area. Note that darn Odyssey Farebox (the kind that has a hard time swallowing dollar bills)

This is a picture I took of 4003 at TCC

This image is mine. See the Creative Commons license attached to the blog for usage permissions.

The MAX Presentation

HRT now has a PDF completely describing The Max. It's a wonderful idea that needs a bit of tweaking, especially Route 960 Norfolk-Va Beach (Route 24 Replacement). It only has Lot 39, Charlotte St, Silverleaf, and 19th & Pacific.

Route 960 (Oceanfront to Downtown Norfolk)

• What about the Pembroke transfer point?
• What about the VB Convention Center (an acceptible alternative would be to meet the 20 at 19th & Pacific; although Route 960 should exit 264 @ Birdneck and proceed LOCAL up 19th St or 17th St to 19th & Pacific
• On the present day Route 24, many workers get off on Va Beach Blvd between Ballentine & Charlotte
• Where's Ft. Story service? Currently, that's served by Route 24

Route 961 (Downtown Norfolk to Wards Corner to Hampton to Newport News)

• How about a Chesapeake Square-Newport News-Hampton route (once an hour?)
• How about 30 minutes day / 60 minutes evening for weekdays
• This should be Charlotte St-Lot 39-Wards-Corner-HTC-NNTC instead of Lot 39-Charlotte-Wards Corner-HTC-NNTC
  

Route 121

• I wish this had a MAX like schedule (similar to 961)
• Its routing is fine (NNTC-Pat Henry-WAT Transit Center)
  

In general

• Fare is $3 / $1.50(?) Senior
• What about 30-Day passes (that MUST be able to work on ALL buses: circulator, local, and MAX and hopefully the Ferry)
• Why is Suffolk loosing out on mid-day and weekend service to the Magnolia Park & Ride?
  

MAX Presentation

The MAX

HRT is going to start new service called The MAX (Metro Area eXpress) - which will completely replace Routes 19, 22, 24, and 61 - starting June 2008. There is a Public Notice PDF that tells you to refer to the website (www.gohrt.com) to learn more about The MAX. There is currently NO link describinig in detail the new service.

• MAX Public Notice (PDF)

Yes, I will be at the public hearing because (from what I hear), this will be wonderful service 5 AM to 9 PM FAST connections throughout the region. Too bad the existing 121 (NNTC/WAT Transit Center) isn't included.

UCAC: Never Mind

Never Mind: The meeting is STAYING IN HAMPTON. Southside riders: take the 61 to HTC and transfer to the 103 SHELL RD/NNTC