HRT Hosts Historic Regional Transit Advocacy Day

On May 4, Hampton Roads Transit hosted its first Regional Transit Advocacy Day. To say it was a success is an understatement. This historic event brought together more than 60 leaders from government, business, and community organizations from across the region. I was proud to host elected officials from the local, state, and federal levels. Congressman Bobby Scott (VA-03), State Senator Aaron Rouse (District 7), Councilwomen Andria McClellan (Norfolk) and Dr. Amelia Ross-Hammond (Virginia Beach), and Delegate Angelia Williams Graves (District 90), were among our many distinguished guests including business and community advocates from throughout Hampton Roads.

Regional Transit Advocacy Day was an event that was months in the making. Members of the Hampton Roads Transportation Planning Organization asked for an opportunity to experience our various modes of transportation and our team at HRT delivered.

The day began at our Ballentine station where dozens of people boarded the light rail headed for our Norfolk Tide Facility (NTF). This is the first time a train full of people has ever pulled directly into NTF. There, everyone got a behind-the-scenes look at where our trains are maintained and was able to meet some of our staff. ?It was then just a short walk to the NSU Station for another train ride into Downtown and a visit to the Downtown Norfolk Transit Center. The final leg of the trip included a bus ride to HRT Headquarters on 18th Street in Norfolk.

This “day in the life of a transit rider” experience culminated with comments from Rep. Scott, Dr. Ross-Hammond, Sarah Jane Kirkland; Associate Vice President for Corporate Partnerships at ODU, Linda Peck; President/CEO Greater Norfolk Corporation, and Denise Johnson; Transit Riders Advisory Committee.

As Ms. Kirkland stated so succinctly, “Where transit goes, business grows.” The overarching theme of the day was that although HRT has made many improvements to our services and amenities, more needs to be done to expand regional transit service and to increase frequency of service on our regular routes. Rep. Bobby Scott also noted, “You can’t go to work, if you can’t get to work.” It’s clear that a robust public transportation system is essential to a thriving Hampton Roads economy.

Of course, none of this can be accomplished without sustainable funding from the state and federal government. The message I heard repeatedly throughout the day from our guests, such as the Norfolk NAACP, Norfolk Transit Department, and Hampton Roads Military and Federal Facilities Alliance, is that more reliable service will translate into more riders.

Delivering more reliable service, improved amenities and increased frequency will move HRT closer to achieving its Vision of promoting prosperity throughout the region and toward fulfilling our Mission of connecting Hampton Roads.

I’m confident this experience has equipped those who took part with the knowledge they need to go back to their respective city and state leaders and advocate on behalf of HRT for ongoing and sustainable public transportation funding.?