VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — The VB Wave Trolley, a Virginia Beach icon that has carried millions of passengers along the Oceanfront, turns 40 years old this year.
Dignitaries and invited guests today joined Hampton Roads Transit (HRT), the City of Virginia Beach and business leaders at an event to celebrate a mainstay that has shuttled visitors, reduced congestion and driven business to hotels, restaurants, shops and attractions since 1984.
“The VB Wave Trolley is more than a reliable transportation option,” William E. Harrell, President and CEO of HRT, told the audience during an event at 17th Street Park. “It’s a welcoming summertime sight and an experience that visitors cherish forever.”
With its distinctive retro blue-and-tan look and open-air back seating, the 28-passenger VB Wave trolley covers 97 stops on three seasonal routes hugging the oceanfront and surrounding areas:
- The Route 30 along Atlantic and Pacific Avenues.
- Route 31 to the Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center, Ocean Breeze Water Park and campgrounds.
- Route 35, connecting the Virginia Beach Convention Center and ViBe District with Bayfront attractions, including First Landing State Park.
“This vital service transports visitors to the most popular places and enables them to explore the Resort City without a car, reducing congestion and parking hassles, while providing reliable transportation for hospitality workers,” Harrell said.
40 years of service
The VB Wave Trolley has experienced many changes over the years. It began in 1984 with the purchase of five trolleys for around $350,000. An additional five trolleys were added two years later.
The original Chance Trolleys were red and looked a little different than the blue Hometown Trolleys operating today. Between 2008 and 2015, HRT experimented with hybrid electric buses on the VB Wave routes but later pivoted in favor of the more popular replica trolleys.
The VB Wave has served different areas of Virginia Beach, expanding and enhancing service to suit the needs of the community. Over the last 16 summers, the VB Wave has carried about 5.5 million passengers.
“Every year — from mid-May through the Neptune Festival at the end of September — Virginia Beach visitors and residents can count on our friendly and knowledgeable staff to go the extra mile,” Harrell said. “They provide more than just a ride from point A to point B. They serve as tour guides, pointing out places to go, things to do and sights to see.”
A community contributor
Elected officials and business leaders lauded the trolley’s longevity and contributions to Virginia Beach.
“Our hospitality community relies on the trolley during the important summer season to enhance the visitor experience and make it easy for visitors to return to Virginia Beach year after year,” said Virginia Beach Mayor Bobby Dyer. “We salute everyone who has been involved in the Trolley’s success for the past four decades, especially the trolley operators, mechanics and staff, for providing safe, reliable and friendly service all summer long.”
The trolley is funded by the City and operated by HRT.
“The trolley is a steadfast example of how transit supports economic development,” added Dr. Amelia Ross-Hammond, a member of the City Council who represents Virginia Beach on HRT’s governing body, the Transportation District Commission of Hampton Roads. “The trolley’s connectivity makes it possible for them to visit our hotels, restaurants, shops and attractions easily and efficiently — spending money that drives our local economy.”
“On behalf of Virginia Beach’s hospitality industry, we salute the VB Wave trolley for 40 years of bringing visitors to the front doors of our hotels and restaurants,” added Teri Wiley, executive director of the Virginia Beach Hotel Association. “The trolley provides a welcome alternative to help our visitors move around the Oceanfront and beyond.”
Trolley schedules and maps can be found at https://gohrt.com/modes/vb-wave-bayfront-shuttle/.
For seamless travel before boarding, riders can download the Journey mobile app on their smartphones. The app, available at gohrt.com/mobile, enables riders to purchase tickets through ahead of time with a credit card. Mobile ticketing is only available for The VB Wave trolley, not other HRT services.
Adult one-way fares are $2, or $4.50 for unlimited travel on the same day. Kids 17 and under are free with paying adults. The VB Wave three-day GoPass is $8 and can be purchased on the Journey app and selected Oceanfront stores. Discounted fares are available for eligible riders.
To explore Routes 30 and 31, see this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aVyJcGCeJEg
For more about Route 35, check out this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fVCBcOfKoRA
About HRT
HRT’s mission is to connect Hampton Roads with transportation solutions that are reliable, safe, efficient and sustainable. For more information on transit services, visit gohrt.com.