HRT, City Leaders Cut Ribbon on 500th Bus Shelter at Virginia Beach Oceanfront

NORFOLK, VA – Hampton Roads Transit today celebrated the installation of its 500th bus shelter with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. The new shelter is located across the street from the Historic Cavalier Hotel and Beach Club on Atlantic Avenue in Virginia Beach. About 50 people attended, including State Sen. Aaron Rouse and Del. Anne Tata.

William Harrell, President and CEO of Hampton Roads Transit; Mayor Bobby Dyer, Virginia Beach; Rob Howard, Chief Investment Officer of Gold Key/PHR Hotels and Resorts; and Councilwoman Dr. Amelia Ross-Hammond, Virginia Beach, were the guest speakers.

Video here: HRT, City Leaders Cut Ribbon on 500th Bus Shelter
HRT has installed more than 500 bus shelters in the last decade. Since August 2021, more than 220 of them have been installed and paid for with dedicated funding approved by the Virginia General Assembly in 2020.

“The Resort City is just weeks away from kicking off another busy summer season,” said Harrell, “and these particular shelters will prove to be a great resource for residents, tourists, and hotel staff.”

That sentiment was echoed by City of Virginia Beach leaders who coordinated with HRT to expedite the permitting process. Working together, HRT and the City were able to complete the project in about a year.

“Having convenient and dependable transit is an economic driver for Virginia Beach,” said Dyer. “The installation of the 500th bus shelter shows the commitment that HRT has to its customers.”

Councilwoman Dr. Amelia Ross-Hammond, who represents Virginia Beach on the Transportation District Commission of Hampton Roads, HRT’s governing board, played a crucial role in making the project happen.

“It’s so important that we all work together to make these long-term improvements,” said Ross-Hammond. “When people work together, things get done.”

Rob Howard, Chief Investment Officer of Gold Key/PHR Hotels and Resorts, used today’s ceremony to announce that Gold Key plans to provide complimentary GoPass365 transit passes to all its employees. The GoPass365 allows commuters to board HRT buses, light rail, ferry, and VB Wave trolleys for a full year.

HRT’s 501st bus shelter was also installed as part of this project. It sits on the corner of 43rd Street and Atlantic Avenue.

Hampton Roads Transit’s mission is to connect the region with transportation solutions that are reliable, safe, efficient, and sustainable. For more information on transit services, visit gohrt.com.