Yesterday I made my third trip to Williamsburg via mass transit. I went out to New Town to see a matinee showing of The Town, a great movie. Like my previous off-season trip. service on Williamsburg Area Transport (WAT) left me gushing.
The Summer tourist season strains WAT. However, riding WAT in the off-season versus riding Hampton Roads Transit (HRT) is effectively the difference between flying First Class (WAT) and Coach (HRT). I hope that HRT doesn't absorb WAT through some merger in the name of Regionalism. That would destroy the better culture.
Michael Ragsdale of HR Transit Ideas once told me the only time in his life he was sad to see a HRT bus was when the 121 arrived at the Williamsburg Transportation Center (WTC) for the express run out. (Route 121 is a weekdays rush hour only express bus between WTC and the Newport News Transportation Center via Patrick Henry Mall.) WAT had pampered him so much he knew it would be a letdown to get back on HRT again.
Phillip Shucet will probably leave HRT next year, with a CEO search committee already having been formed and held it's first meeting. I certainly hope the TDCHR takes a close look at WAT's Mark Rickards as the potential replacement.
Showing posts with label WAT. Show all posts
Showing posts with label WAT. Show all posts
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Mass Transit To Busch Gardens
Having made the trip to Williamsburg by mass transit buses, I thought I'd post the directions for anyone wanting to go with the season just around the corner. I'll give the directions coming from South Hampton Roads:
1. Take Hampton Roads Transit (HRT) Route 961 to the Newport News Transportation Center (NNTC).
2. From there, take HRT Route 107 to Patrick Henry Mall.
3. Travel HRT Route 116 the length of the route: from Patrick Henry Mall to Lee Hall.
4. At Lee Hall, take the Gray Line of Williamsburg Area Transport (WAT) to Busch Gardens.
Heading towards Williamsburg, get off at the stop at the Anheuser-Busch Brewery. The England entrance of Busch Gardens is within sight. Heading back, the bus stop is on the other side of the road.
There is no WAT service on Sunday. For other Williamsburg attractions, continue on the Gray Line into downtown.
1. Take Hampton Roads Transit (HRT) Route 961 to the Newport News Transportation Center (NNTC).
2. From there, take HRT Route 107 to Patrick Henry Mall.
3. Travel HRT Route 116 the length of the route: from Patrick Henry Mall to Lee Hall.
4. At Lee Hall, take the Gray Line of Williamsburg Area Transport (WAT) to Busch Gardens.
Heading towards Williamsburg, get off at the stop at the Anheuser-Busch Brewery. The England entrance of Busch Gardens is within sight. Heading back, the bus stop is on the other side of the road.
There is no WAT service on Sunday. For other Williamsburg attractions, continue on the Gray Line into downtown.
Visiting WAT
On Monday I made the trip to Williamsburg to check out Williamsburg Area Transport (WAT), their mass transit agency. I liked the small operation.
WAT passengers were happy campers. The only complaints I heard were from buses holding for late buses to lineups, then having time to makeup.
WAT offers an $1.50 Day Pass, which it doesn't advertise on it's website. The unusual part is you're not suppose to swipe it for subsequent boardings, but simply show the stamped side to the Operator.
The real fun was that the small agency has open radio. Riding WAT you hear radio chatter that's only a memory at Hampton Roads Transit (HRT).
Most of all, their Operators are very friendly, offering a level of customer service much higher than on HRT.
Finally, I liked their New Flyer buses better than HRT's Gilligs. A nicer interior plus I felt they ride more comfortably than anything in HRT's fleet.
WAT passengers were happy campers. The only complaints I heard were from buses holding for late buses to lineups, then having time to makeup.
WAT offers an $1.50 Day Pass, which it doesn't advertise on it's website. The unusual part is you're not suppose to swipe it for subsequent boardings, but simply show the stamped side to the Operator.
The real fun was that the small agency has open radio. Riding WAT you hear radio chatter that's only a memory at Hampton Roads Transit (HRT).
Most of all, their Operators are very friendly, offering a level of customer service much higher than on HRT.
Finally, I liked their New Flyer buses better than HRT's Gilligs. A nicer interior plus I felt they ride more comfortably than anything in HRT's fleet.
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