Portsmouth is in 'the loop' with shuttle buses

PORTSMOUTH

Norfolk has the NET, a downtown shuttle serving local businesses, schools and residences. Soon, Portsmouth will have The Loop.

Starting April 7, two shuttle buses run by Hampton Roads Transit will circle downtown Portsmouth, traveling from hotels to marinas to a commuter parking lot and the Naval Medical Center.

Business owners and city leaders hope the buses will draw visitors from the waterfront farther up High Street, into new eateries and stores downtown, while easing parking problems and reducing congestion.

"The need has been there," said Alison Elder, chairwoman of a citizens advisory committee for The Loop. "Olde Towne has such a rich amount of businesses and historical homes, but it's a little spread out. Half the battle is getting people visiting the city to keep going. It's not just one or two blocks."

The Loop has been nearly five years in the making. A $2.4 million federal grant will pay for a pair of low-emission hybrid buses, operating costs and employee salaries for three years. After that, the city will evaluate the program's success, said George Brisbin, Portsmouth's transportation planner.

He hopes each Loop bus will draw 20 to 30 riders an hour.

The Loop will run six days a week, Monday to Saturday. From 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., the buses will operate every 15 minutes.

From 7 to 10 a.m. and from 8 p.m. to midnight each day, service will run in 30-minute intervals, timed to the arrival of the downtown ferry, Brisbin said.

From April 7 to April 20, the buses will be free. After that, fares will be 50 cents per ride or $1.50 for an all-day pass. HRT also will make weekly and monthly commuter cards available.

Meghan Hoyer, (757) 446-2293, meghan.hoyer@pilotonline.com