Thursday the Transportation District Commission of Hampton Roads (TDCHR) met at Hampton Roads Transit (HRT) headquarters in Hampton. The meeting lasted just over 45 minutes.
The TDCHR unanimously approved the construction of a replacement transfer center at Victory Crossing in Portsmouth. (I'd argue the current TC is the worst transfer center in HRT's network, so the new facility will be greatly appreciated.) Portsmouth envisions a three phase project. Phase II will be parking lots for park-and-ride capability, with Phase III being greater amenities for mass transit passengers.
In FY 2010, the TDCHR is currently $683,907 under Budget. In addition, Norfolk light rail is under it's revised budget of $288 million.
The TDCHR endorsed it's Legislative Agenda for 2010.
Light rail construction in Norfolk is now 50.923% complete.
Commissioners were briefed on the recent mass transit Scoping meetings in Virginia Beach. Also, the Beach's Community Advisory Committee is slated to first meet on October 28. Finally, transit station workshops will be held in mid-November.
In Norfolk, Operations and Maintenance are to be moved out of the 18th Street facility to temporary quarters at the former Ford plant on October 18. Modifications at the plant are 85%-90% complete. The new HRT buildings at 18th Street are due to be completed in the Spring of 2011.
Phase II of the Regional Transit Vision Plan is now underway, with public meetings on it tentatively scheduled for April or May of 2010.
For last, maybe the best news of all: HRT ridership in August, 2009 was up 8.02% over August, 2008. That's despite no appreciable new service, but rather additional passengers on existing service. So much for those "empty buses" Flat Earthers love to whine about....
3 comments:
Yeah. Let's bring that up when the naysayrs talk about 'empty busses' I've noticed busses have been standig room only in the middle of the day!
great quote "For last, maybe the best news of all: HRT ridership in August, 2009 was up 8.02% over August, 2008. That's despite no appreciable new service, but rather additional passengers on existing service. So much for those "empty buses"...."
who told you this? thanks.
The ridership figures were in the meeting packet, which was gone over by senior management.
Yes, there was some crowing. :)
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