The Virginia Beach Wave trolley and shuttle, operated by Hampton Roads Transit (HRT), returns for its 40th year on Sunday, May 12.
Once again, the VB Wave will accept mobile ticketing to make it convenient to board the distinctive sky blue and sand-colored trolley buses on three routes serving the Virginia Beach Oceanfront resort area.
“HRT is making it easy to hop aboard, kick back, and let us do the driving at the Oceanfront this summer,” said William E. Harrell, President and CEO. “As we celebrate the 40th anniversary of this popular service, HRT stands ready to help visitors and residents explore all that the Resort City has to offer. Passengers can count on our friendly and knowledgeable staff to go the extra mile, providing more than just a ride from point A to point B. They often serve as tour guides, pointing out places to go, things to do and sights to see.”
For seamless travel before boarding, download the Journey mobile app on your smartphone. The app is available at gohrt.com/mobile. Riders can purchase tickets through the app with a credit card. Mobile ticketing is only available for The VB Wave trolley, not other HRT services.
Trolley tickets are also available at these retail locations:
- 9 Sunsations store locations along Atlantic Avenue at 5th Street, 9th Street, 12th Street, 14th Street, 19th Street, 23rd Street, 25th Street, 30th Street, 33rd Street, and on Virginia Beach Boulevard at 17th Street.
- KOA Campground, 1240 General Booth Blvd.
- Virginia Gift Shop, 702 Atlantic Ave.
VB Wave tickets can be purchased in advance through the mobile app, at retail locations above, or with cash payments accepted onboard the trolley (exact change only).
Three routes to choose
This summer’s service features three routes connecting some of the most popular destinations for visitors and residents alike. To board, look for the blue VB Wave signs at 97 stops along these routes:
Route 30: Atlantic Avenue. This popular trolley route takes passengers from one end of Atlantic Avenue to the other – from JT’s Grommet Island Park to 40th Street. You can ride the VB Wave and stop along the way at shops, restaurants, museums and other attractions. Route 30 operates daily from May 12 through the Neptune Festival (ending Sept. 29), approximately every 15 minutes from 8 a.m.-2 a.m. Route 30 features 26 trolley stops.
Route 31: Aquarium and Campground. The Route 31 trolley heads southbound from JT’s Grommet Island Park to the Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center, Ocean Breeze Water Park and the Holiday Trav-L-Park and KOA campgrounds along General Booth Boulevard. Route 31 operates daily from May 12-Labor Day, about every 20 minutes from 9:30 a.m.-11:10 p.m., and then again from Sept. 6-Sept. 29 on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Route 31 has 13 stops. The route may occasionally be serviced by bus.
Route 35: Bayfront. Route 35 provides service between Parks Avenue/19th Street and Shore Drive/Pleasure House Road. This route serves the Oceanfront along Pacific Avenue, First Landing State Park, Edgar Cayce’s A.R.E., Fort Story at Atlantic Avenue and 88th Street, North End beaches, Chesapeake Bay beaches and Bayfront restaurants on Shore Drive. For this season, Route 35 has shifted its alignment to encompass a portion of the former Route 34 while increasing frequency from an hour to every 30 minutes. This route will be served by designated HRT buses marked as Route 35.
Route 35, the VB Wave’s longest, has 58 stops, and operates daily from May 12-Labor Day, from 8 a.m.-12:30 a.m. The service operates again from Sept. 6-Sept. 29 on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.
The VB Wave connects to HRT bus lines, including Route 20 service to downtown Norfolk.
For information about the VB Wave Trolley, including fares and maps, please click here.