NORFOLK, Va. — Hampton Roads Transit (HRT) has implemented a plan to reinstate Elizabeth River Ferry service that was suspended due to issues with the city-owned public dock at Waterside in downtown Norfolk.
Effective at 5:30 a.m. on Thursday, April 18, the following route adjustments will be in place to preserve a regular ferry schedule:
- The ferry’s Waterside stop will remain closed until HRT is notified by the city that the cordoned-off dock is safe to access. Instead, service between Portsmouth and Norfolk will dock only at the Harbor Park ferry landing.
- All service in Portsmouth will be consolidated to the High Street stop. The North Landing stop will not be used for the time being. The first ferry will depart from High Street at 5:30 a.m. on weekdays and 10 a.m. on weekends through Memorial Day, when some trips increase to 15-minute increments.
- Once passengers arrive at Harbor Park, they will be directed via signs along accessible walkways to The Tide light rail station at Harbor Park. From there, passengers can take The Tide westbound to downtown. Or passengers can access the Elizabeth River Trail from the ferry stop.
- Ferry service for Norfolk Tides baseball home games will leave Portsmouth at the High Street landing. The North Landing stop will not be used for Tides games until further notice.
- Passengers traveling to Portsmouth from Norfolk can catch The Tide at any station to Harbor Park Station, then follow signs to the ferry.
- The current shuttle bus service between Waterside and Portsmouth will be discontinued with the last departures Wednesday night, April 17.
- Fares for the ferry will be honored on The Tide light rail so only one ticket is needed for the transfer. Proof of payment on light rail includes showing a pass, round-trip ticket or one-way ticket receipt.
Click here for ferry schedules and click here for Tide light rail schedules.Fare information can be found here.Festival Goers Encouraged to Take Transit to the TattooGetting to the Virginia International Tattoo and NATO Festival this week will be music to the ears with Hampton Roads Transit (HRT).
With thousands of people expected in Downtown Norfolk April 18-21 for this annual favorite, your best bet is transit operated by HRT – The Tide light rail, buses and the Elizabeth River Ferry (with service changes noted earlier).
“We are a convenient, reliable and money-saving option for those gathering for one of Virginia’s preeminent events,” said William E. Harrell, President and CEO of Hampton Roads Transit. “Our options on the road, on the rails and on the water make it possible to enjoy this international event without the hassles of driving and parking.”
To plan your trip, check out the festival events and times found here: https://www.vafest.org/tattoo/tattoo-weekend-events/. Then pick a convenient transit option that works for you:
Ride the Tide from Park and Ride Lots
The Tide light rail makes frequent stops at Monticello Station, just a block from the Scope arena and plaza. For those heading to the NATO Parade of Nations and NATO Festival International Village, use the MacArthur Square or Civic Plaza stations for a brief walk to the festivities. Festivalgoers can park for free at four park-and-ride lots adjacent to Tide stations:
- Newtown Road Station, Newtown Road and Kempsville Road.
- Military Highway Station, Curlew Drive and Corporate Boulevard.
- Ballentine/Broad Creek Station, Ballentine Boulevard and I-264.
- EVMC/Fort Norfolk Station, Brambleton and Colley Avenues. This location is available only for Saturdays and Sundays – parking is not allowed on weeknights.
The full schedule of Tide light rail times and stops can be found here.
Catch a Bus
Several bus routes can get you close to the action, though detours are in place for the NATO Parade on April 20. Beginning at 7:30 a.m., portions of downtown Norfolk will be closed to traffic until approximately noon.
Bus routes 6, 45 and 960 will be affected and will not stop at the MacArthur Light Rail Station bus stop on City Hall Avenue during this event. All MacArthur Station passengers must board/disembark at the Route 8 bus stop at Bank and Plume located in front of the Fountain Park Garage.