Customer Service Temporary Change of HoursPORTSMOUTH, Va. – The trusty bus stop sign has gone high tech.
Blending functional design with handy technology, Hampton Roads Transit (HRT) has completed the installation of “smart stop” bus signs at more than 2,600 locations in six cities, enabling customers to get real-time bus information and more from a unique QR code on each sign.
By scanning the QR code at their stop, customers with smartphones can also report bus-stop cleanliness and safety issues, see route maps and schedules, buy HRT passes, and get customer alerts and other relevant interactive features.
The technology also is available for all modes of fixed route service, including the Elizabeth River Ferry, The Tide Light Rail and Base Express service.
“HRT’s smart stops usher in a new era of convenience, innovation and mobility,” William E. Harrell, HRT’s President and CEO, said at a demonstration event marking the project completion held at the Children’s Museum of Virginia. “This innovative, location-based technology, paired with visible and reflective signage, is designed to enhance the rider experience.”
The designs and technology were developed in-house by HRT staff, with signs installed in batches starting in October 2023 and completed by June 2025. These changes, which require less material and maintenance, have saved HRT more than $600,000 since the new signs were installed.
HRT is one of the few transit agencies in the nation pairing signs with this technology.
Along with a tech upgrade, the previous bus stop signage has been redesigned to enhance aesthetics.
The signs have a new visual layout with easy-to-read stop information along with a large QR code printed on the rear of every sign and unique bus stop number boldly displayed at the top of both sides of every sign. Scanning the QR code will pull up information relevant to the exact stop it is scanned at to provide route and direction information, scheduled and real-time vehicle estimated time of arrival, trip destination, customer service alerts and more.
The old signs included metal flags with smaller individual route blades, which constantly got bent or broken and had to be replaced. The new design features a large single aluminum panel wrapped in highly reflective anti-graffiti vinyl.
In addition, the technology enables HRT to more efficiently maintain and improve responsiveness to cleanliness and safety issues at bus stops. Crews cleaning and performing maintenance at bus stops can scan the QR codes to validate that work has been completed or to report issues that need attention. The data is now being collected and used in real time to make more informed decisions and improve the overall customer experience at HRT bus stops.
The technology was demonstrated at the Children’s Museum of Virginia, which hosts an interactive HRT bus exhibit to teach kids about transit. A refreshed exhibit was unveiled today with branding representing HRT’s 757 Express service – along with a new bus stop sign.
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.
Thomas Becher, APR
Communications Manager
FOIA Officer
Hampton Roads Transit
509 E. 18th St.
Norfolk, VA 23504
C: (757) 354-0564
P: (757) 222-6010
www.gohrt.com