NORFOLK, VA – Hampton Roads Transit continues to see steady growth on all 757 Express bus routes serving the Southside and Peninsula.
Over the last 18 months, HRT launched increased service during peak hours on routes 112, 114 and 20. All three routes have since experienced a significant increase in ridership.
Route 112 runs from Lee Hall to Newport News Shipbuilding. Since 15-minute service launched in October 2022, ridership has increased more than 48%. Farebox data shows 38,000 passenger trips on Route 112 from November 2022 to January 2024, up 12,000 when compared to the same period in the previous year.
Route 114 serves Mercury Boulevard and Downtown Hampton. Ridership has increased 38% since the start of more frequent service in May 2023. According to farebox data, there were 202,000 passenger trips on Route 114 between June 2023 and January 2024, up 56,000 when compared to the same period in the previous year.
Route 20 launched 15-minute service on the Southside in November and serves Virginia Beach Boulevard. It’s the busiest route in the HRT system and has already seen an increase in ridership of more than 21%. Farebox data shows 120,000 passenger trips on Route 20 in the first two months following the increase of service. That’s up 20,000 from the same period in the previous year.
“By increasing the frequency of public transportation, we’re making it easier for people to get where they need to go, whether that’s work, school, or medical appointments,” said William Harrell, President and CEO at Hampton Roads Transit. “We’re proud to be able to bring this level of service to our customers.”
The 757 Express will eventually consist of 13 bus routes connecting the highest densities of people and jobs in the region. Buses arrive every 15 minutes during the weekday peak hours of 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.