NORFOLK, Va., — Base Express, a free shuttle from Hampton Roads Transit (HRT) serving Naval Station Norfolk, celebrates its second anniversary on Dec. 2 following consistent ridership growth.
Over the past two years, Base Express has carried more than 90,000 service members, dependents, government contractors and veterans on two routes as a vital link on and off base.
Ridership grew from 1,183 in the first month of service, December 2022, to an average of nearly 5,000 every month through November 2024.
“We’re excited to see so many service members taking advantage of this free service,” said William Harrell, President and CEO at Hampton Roads Transit. “We look forward to continuing our work with Naval Station Norfolk to provide mobility options so that service members and base visitors can get around conveniently and efficiently.”
Base Express has two routes: Blue and Gold. The Blue Route runs exclusively on base, providing weekday service to piers, aquatics center and other points of interest. The Gold Route begins off base at the Navy Exchange. It provides daily, last-mile service to commuters using public transportation, vanpooling and carpooling or passengers who want to park off base.
Base Express operates in partnership with James River Transportation and is funded by a grant from the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation. To learn more, please visit gohrt.com/modes/base-express.
Media contact:
Thomas Becher, APR
Manager, Communications
December 2, 2024
Cell: (757) 354-0564
Phone: (757) 222-6010