The Transportation, Parking, and Pedestrian, Committee (TPPC) of Virginia Beach's Resort Advisory Commission (RAC) met this morning for about 75 minutes.
The premier topic was street signage in the Resort Area. First, surveys done by TPPC members showed that while signage could be pared down some, the vast majority will need to stay. Second, there are a number of signs that have been tagged with unauthorized stickers. TPPC wondered about removal and enforcement. (It was later determined that defacing a traffic sign is a Class 1 Misdemeanor in Virginia.) Third, the TPPC voted to replace the VB Wave logo on the Atlantic Avenue bus lane signs with Resort sector designations, borrowed from the gateway traffic signs.
A preliminary look has been taken at improving the Rudee Loop Transfer Center of Hampton Roads Transit (HRT) prior to 2011 seasonal service. An estimate was given on paving the gravel shoulder where the buses now stop. Rudee Loop is the meeting point for Routes 30, 31, and 32. While no bus shelters are currently available to be deployed to Rudee Loop, the depth of the property probably means you couldn't fit a full-size shelter on it anyway. TPPC (and RAC) Chairman Preston Midgett once again raised the matter of a Shuttle 3 Day farecard, but HRT officials raised technical objections that would probably preclude it.
A formal request has been accepted by the City Attorney's Office to have the revision to the Surrey Ordinance placed on the City Council agenda.
Finally, the TPPC expressed exasperation over being bypassed so far in proposed revisions to city parking requirements. At least three entities are now considering changes, with none of them yet to come to the TPPC.
4 comments:
Interestingly, San Francisco has a two-day, three-day, five-day and seven-day transit card. It make it SO easy to get around
Anon 1:24,
First, HRT's Universal Shuttle is suppose to be that, universal. Unless a Shuttle 3 Day also serves the Portsmouth Loop, HRT - per policy - isn't suppose to implement it.
Second, any new farecard would bring an additional administrative cost with it.
Third, the in-season conditions at the Oceanfront (i.e. heat, water, sand, etc.) are hard on faremedia.
Given #2 and #3, discount sales of a five pack of Shuttle 1 Days would make more sense.
Besides, we should never follow the example of San Francisco.
Yeah we should. Look at Clipper (formerly TransLink*). It beats our ORCA (www.orcacard.com) any day
Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clipper_(San_Francisco_Bay_Area_Transit_Card)
Official Site: http://www.clippercard.com/
It's time for HRT and the Williamsburg buses to use a joint smart card.
Speaking of which, the Seattle Transit Blog just posted not too long ago an entry on Epic Bus Journeys (Seattle to Vancouver, WA to Portland, Seattle to Vancouver, BC all by public bus - NO Greyhound or Amtrak). I used it to get from Bellevue to Vancouver, BC.
Is a similar long-distance trip (Virginia Beach to Richmond, for example) possible on local buses?
* Not to be confused with the Metro Vancouver BC transit agency TransLink (I think that's why it was renamed Clipper)
Jessica,
HRT and WAT have quite different fare structures, and neither uses smart cards. Also, WAT doesn't trust HRT. (I don't blame them.) Therefore, it can't and won't happen. However, as a WAT Day Pass is only $1.50, I don't mind paying when I go to Williamsburg.
The hole trying to go to Richmond would be New Kent County. What transit there is is "on call" service by Bay Transit. Virtually useless for the task.
A couple of us have looked at it. I told Michael Ragsdale of HR Transit Ideas that, if it was possible, I'd go have lunch in Richmond just for the heck of it, then come home.
Yes, I read the STB piece. Also, holes trying to go north across the Eastern Shore.
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