NORFOLK, Va. – Hampton Roads Transit (HRT) won an industry award for excellence in transit marketing for its campaign promoting OnDemand Ridesharing.
The Virginia Transit Association (VTA) also recognized William E. Harrell, HRT’s outgoing President and CEO, with the Helen Poore Transit Professional Distinguished Service. The awards were presented at VTA’s annual meeting May 20 in Fredericksburg, Va.
HRT’s OnDemand Ridesharing combines the flexibility of a service like Uber with the affordability of public transit to provide accessible transportation options for those without vehicles or in areas with limited fixed-route bus service. To promote a new pilot program in Newport News and Virginia Beach, HRT launched a creative and comprehensive content marketing campaign to re-engage previous riders and attract new customers.
The campaign generated more than 1 million impressions from broadcast and streaming channels while paid and organic social media posts led to 332,304 views and 154,858 engagements.
Harrell honored for lifetime of public service
The VTA, representing transit agencies across Virginia, lauded Harrell for his distinguished leadership in public transportation and local government. In February, he announced his retirement beginning this summer after 14 years with HRT and a total of 40 years in transit and municipal leadership.
The Helen Poore Transit Professional Distinguished Service award recognized Harrell’s many contributions to finance, operate, grow, promote and sustain public transportation in Hampton Roads, his influential leadership shaping the future of public transportation in the region, and his lifetime of public service.
Under his tenure, HRT secured the first-ever regional funding source of dedicated revenue created by the Virginia General Assembly in 2020, launched the Base Express at Naval Station Norfolk, introduced OnDemand Ridesharing, grew the Paratransit fleet, and celebrated the 40th anniversaries of the Elizabeth River Ferry and VB Wave Trolley
HRT President and CEO William E. Harrell (right) receives the Helen Poore Transit Professional Distinguished Service from the Virginia Transit Association executive director Danny Plaugher (left) and president Dr. Amelia Ross-Hammond, a Virginia Beach City Council member and HRT commissioner. (Photo courtesy Hampton Roads Transit.)
Hampton Roads Transit received the Excellence in Transit Marketing award for its campaign promoting OnDemand Ridesharing. Accepting the award: Chief Communications Officer Alexis Majied (second from right), Caleb Smith, Military and Government Outreach Liaison (second from left), and Angela Gregory, Strategic Communications Specialist (far right). Also pictured: Virginia Transit Association executive director Danny Plaugher (left) and association president Dr. Amelia Ross-Hammond (center), a Virginia Beach City Council member and HRT commissioner. (Photo courtesy Hampton Roads Transit.)
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.
Media Contact:
Thomas Becher, APR
Manager, Communications
Cell: (757) 354-0564
tbecher@hrtransit.org
June 4, 2026