NORFOLK, Va. — William E. Harrell, who has served as President and CEO of Hampton Roads Transit (HRT) since 2012, is retiring effective this summer.
Harrell announced his decision Thursday during the monthly meeting of HRT’s governing board, the Transportation District Commission of Hampton Roads, which will begin a search for a successor.
“After a great deal of thought and reflection, I have decided that it is time for me to retire,” Harrell said. “Next month, I will celebrate my 64th birthday and mark 40 years as a proud public servant. Serving as President and CEO of Hampton Roads Transit for the past 14 years has been one of the greatest honors of my career.”
— William E. Harrell
CEO, Hampton Roads Transit
Harrell oversees a $150 million budget, 1,050 employees, a fleet of more than 270 buses and trolleys serving 62 routes, 116 paratransit vehicles, four ferries, and nine rail cars for Virginia’s only light rail system.
“Together, we have accomplished so much with our outstanding operators, mechanics, administrative staff, commissioners and representatives from the cities served by HRT. Our organization is thriving,” he said. “We have strengthened transit services, enhanced the customer experience, expanded our impact, and supported the regional economy by ensuring our customers can access work, medical care and other critical destinations. None of this progress happened by chance. It happened because of our team’s dedication, professionalism and commitment to serving our community every day.”
Under his long-time tenure and stable leadership, HRT secured the first-ever regional funding source of dedicated revenue created by the Virginia General Assembly in 2020 to implement the 757 Express, a network of local and regional bus routes offering 15-minute service frequencies in support of major employers.
Harrell has overseen the launch of the Base Express, a free shuttle bus service for sailors and workers at Naval Station Norfolk, and pilot programs introducing OnDemand Ridesharing to the region. During his tenure, HRT celebrated the 40th anniversaries of the Elizabeth River Ferry serving Norfolk and Portsmouth and the VB Wave, a seasonal trolley service in Virginia Beach, as well as growth in the Paratransit fleet.
Under Harrell’s tenure, HRT has expanded use of technology to enhance efficiency and customer experience while building a financially stable, well-managed agency with the resources to invest in a sustainable future.
“I am incredibly proud of what we have built together,” Harrell said. “We have faced challenges, embraced change and continuously improved. The momentum we have created is real, and it is strong. I have full confidence that this team will continue moving forward with the same unity, focus and shared sense of purpose that has brought us to where we are today.”
Harrell came to HRT from the City of Chesapeake, where he served as city manager. He’s also held leadership roles in municipal government in Richmond, Suffolk and Greensboro, N.C.
Harrell is active with the Virginia Transit Association and American Public Transportation Association and has served as a regional board member of the Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce. He serves on the advisory board for The St. Paul’s Transformation Project, a partnership between the City of Norfolk and the Norfolk Redevelopment and Housing Authority to redevelop a flood-prone public housing community into a mixed-use community.
Virginia Business magazine recently named him one of Virginia’s top Black Business Leaders.
William E. Harrell, President & CEO, Hampton Roads Transit.
Media Contact:
Thomas Becher, APR
Manager, Communications
Cell: (757) 354-0564
tbecher@hrtransit.org
February 27, 2026