On Thursday afternoon the Transportation District Commission of Hampton Roads (TDCHR) held it's February meeting at Hampton Roads Transit (HRT) headquarters in Hampton.
There was good news from Washington. The House of Representatives has passed an omnibus spending bill that increases Federal mass transit spending by 6% (to $10.1 billion), while the bill contains a mark that frontloads Norfolk's light rail cash. If passed, Norfolk would this year get the final light rail money that it is scheduled to get over the next two years.
Two teams are in the running for the Virginia Beach light rail study contract. The contract will probably be awarded at the March TDCHR meeting, though maybe delayed to April.
Numbers from the draft FY 2010 TDCHR Budget were given to Commissioners. It proposes a Budget that would increase under 2%. A cut in state support will likely mean having to ask localities for more. However, the General Assembly is being asked to authorize a change in state law to allow state capital funds to be used for operations, which in turn would be supplanted by Federal stimulus money. In addition, a fare increase is on the table.
Speaking of Federal stimulus money, HRT will receive $24.1 million.
In the current fiscal year (FY 2009), HRT is $1.65 million under it's operating budget.
HRT Staff met with Newport News officials about a proposed Christopher Newport University to Huntington Pointe transit line. Newport News is now aware of what will need to be done to qualify for Federal funding.
Disappointment was expressed about the pending regional mass transit Vision Plan coming out of the MPO. If lackluster and if funds are available, HRT may consider doing it's own plan in-house.
Friday, February 27, 2009
TPPC February 26, 2009
The Transportation, Parking, and Pedestrian Committee (TPPC) of Virginia Beach's Resort Advisory Commission (RAC) met on Thursday morning. The meeting ran about a third longer than TPPC meetings normally.
The meeting began with a discussion of the charter buses shuttling convention delegates between their hotels and the convention center. Currently a number of the buses are either violating parking Ordinances or forcing drivers on Atlantic Avenue to break the rules of the road. In the end, the matter was sent to the City's traffic engineers. They are to report back with short and long term options and recommendations.
There was a long discussion about bicycles riding in the trolley lanes. After about 25-30 minutes, it was decided to leave the status quo.
Finally, there was a Presentation on the Pacific Avenue Trail extension. While supporting the concept, final design issues will be sent to the RAC's Plan/Design Review Committee (PDRC).
The meeting began with a discussion of the charter buses shuttling convention delegates between their hotels and the convention center. Currently a number of the buses are either violating parking Ordinances or forcing drivers on Atlantic Avenue to break the rules of the road. In the end, the matter was sent to the City's traffic engineers. They are to report back with short and long term options and recommendations.
There was a long discussion about bicycles riding in the trolley lanes. After about 25-30 minutes, it was decided to leave the status quo.
Finally, there was a Presentation on the Pacific Avenue Trail extension. While supporting the concept, final design issues will be sent to the RAC's Plan/Design Review Committee (PDRC).
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
When You Ride HRT Often....
Many of the Operators will get to know you. Sometimes too well. This morning I was riding the Inbound Route 20. As we approached my home stop the Operator slowed the bus, anticipating that I'd pull the cord for a stop.
No, I wasn't going home. It's Ash Wednesday so I was on my way to Noon Mass at St. Gregory's.
No, I wasn't going home. It's Ash Wednesday so I was on my way to Noon Mass at St. Gregory's.
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Draft Regional Transit Vision Plan Meeting In Norfolk
Today were simultaneous meetings on the draft Regional Transit Vision Plan, one each in Norfolk and in Hampton from 4-7 P.M. Both meetings had two sessions comprised of an Open House with displays and a Presentation. Then participants were slated to break up into small groups to discuss three questions:
1. Among the transit improvements proposed, what are your priorities?
2. What are the benefits to the region of implementing the proposed transit improvements? Which benefits are most important to you?
3. How would implementing the proposed transit improvements affect your ability or interest in using transit?
I attended the Norfolk meeting. The 4:30 session had a good-sized crowd. The 6 P.M. session was small enough that we didn't break into groups, instead discussing as one large group.
My disappointment was that the vast majority of input was generic transit, not directly related to the Vision Plan. In the second session I tried to get things on track by talking about where I'd tweak the Plan. How many of the participants actually read the draft plan before coming?
The amusing part will be seeing Debbie Messina's story tomorrow. The Virginian-Pravda reporter arrived later, missing the packed first session. Reading our notes, can she flesh an accurate story out of it?
1. Among the transit improvements proposed, what are your priorities?
2. What are the benefits to the region of implementing the proposed transit improvements? Which benefits are most important to you?
3. How would implementing the proposed transit improvements affect your ability or interest in using transit?
I attended the Norfolk meeting. The 4:30 session had a good-sized crowd. The 6 P.M. session was small enough that we didn't break into groups, instead discussing as one large group.
My disappointment was that the vast majority of input was generic transit, not directly related to the Vision Plan. In the second session I tried to get things on track by talking about where I'd tweak the Plan. How many of the participants actually read the draft plan before coming?
The amusing part will be seeing Debbie Messina's story tomorrow. The Virginian-Pravda reporter arrived later, missing the packed first session. Reading our notes, can she flesh an accurate story out of it?
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Should Have Seen This Coming
Last night I was playing Navy Field, the online naval shipbuilding and battle game. http://www.navyfield.com
One of the players had a new ship. It's name: Stimulus Ship.
One of the players had a new ship. It's name: Stimulus Ship.
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Corridor 11
65% of you who voted have a MySpace or Facebook account. I now might have to look at getting one myself.
The new question is on Corridor 11 in the draft Regional Transit Vision Plan. 11 runs from downtown Newport News to Lightfoot. The draft calls for commuter rail along the CSX tracks there in the mid-range, with both commuter rail and light rail in the long term. Is that redundant, or does it make more sense to you than me?
(Hehe...did I throw you for a loop with a Peninsula question?)
The new question is on Corridor 11 in the draft Regional Transit Vision Plan. 11 runs from downtown Newport News to Lightfoot. The draft calls for commuter rail along the CSX tracks there in the mid-range, with both commuter rail and light rail in the long term. Is that redundant, or does it make more sense to you than me?
(Hehe...did I throw you for a loop with a Peninsula question?)
Transit Advocates Demand Quality
Earlier this evening I e-mailed Hampton Roads Transit (HRT) my fifth Incident Report (i.e. CAF) in eight days. Someone has got to help clean up operational problems at HRT.
My point in bringing it up? If you listen to the Green Reednuts of the world, you'd believe transit users are "freeloaders" who simply want to throw large quantities of money into a black hole. First, no one knows the shortcomings of our current service better than those who actually ride it. Second, the astute riders realize we won't muster public support for increased service until we start cleaning up what's already out there.
Things are already rolling at HRT Operations. Homer Carter was brought in as Senior Vice President of Operations about a year ago and has been cleaning house. First, separate dispatch offices were combined into Central Dispatch. Second. the Customer Service Manager, Southside Operations Superintendent, and Southside Maintenance chief (among others) have been relieved of their duties during that period. Homer isn't taking prisoners! Third, there's an ongoing effort to augment ridership participation in policing the system. Folks, we probably can turn this supertanker.
My point in bringing it up? If you listen to the Green Reednuts of the world, you'd believe transit users are "freeloaders" who simply want to throw large quantities of money into a black hole. First, no one knows the shortcomings of our current service better than those who actually ride it. Second, the astute riders realize we won't muster public support for increased service until we start cleaning up what's already out there.
Things are already rolling at HRT Operations. Homer Carter was brought in as Senior Vice President of Operations about a year ago and has been cleaning house. First, separate dispatch offices were combined into Central Dispatch. Second. the Customer Service Manager, Southside Operations Superintendent, and Southside Maintenance chief (among others) have been relieved of their duties during that period. Homer isn't taking prisoners! Third, there's an ongoing effort to augment ridership participation in policing the system. Folks, we probably can turn this supertanker.
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