The Virginian-Pilot
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VIRGINIA BEACH
The blue-and-green buses on the Boardwalk Wednesday were more green than blue.
That's because the new hybrid-electric shuttles are more eco-friendly than the aging trolleys they will replace. Hampton Roads Transit and city officials unveiled and launched the new fleet at an overcast ceremony in front of the King Neptune statue.
The hybrids will run three Oceanfront routes collectively known as VB Wave. A dozen trolleys will still run at the resort, at least until HRT finds the money to replace them, too.
Councilman John Uhrin, who pushed for the new buses, said the resort area is committed to a "green" approach. He cited environmental accolades already received at Oceanfront restaurants, hotels and the Virginia Beach Convention Center.
"It's the right thing to do. It's the smart thing to do," Uhrin said. "I'm so excited Virginia Beach is on the forefront of these initiatives."
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Photographs
The first picture makes it appear King Neptune is there to protect the new hybrid bus..under an angry sky. The second picture..I noticed the huge windshield..I have to wonder what a replacement windshield would cost. I can already guess the price is "ouch". lol
Its the exact same Hybrid
Its the exact same Hybrid buses Portsmouth got from HRT a couple months ago for the downtown Portsmouth Olde Towne area. Same design, shape and everything...
Bashers
Though I find it funny that VB does something positive and all you do is attack attack attack. From the look of things, you A) like sitting in traffic, B) Like paying almost $4 / gallon, and/or C) are too stubborn to give up your behemoth tank you call an SUV.
Empty Bus...Uh...
You say you saw one of those lumbering buses and they're always empty? Apparently you've never been on the Blvd at rush hour (Rt 20), Lynnhaven Parkway (Rt 29), Granby St (Rt 1), Chesapeake Blvd (rt 3), or Millitary Hwy (Rt 15). They can be Standing Room Only (SRO).
The HRT Fleet: HRT primary uses Gillig buses. The Phantom and Lowfloor are the mainstays. The new buses are 30 foot Gillig Lowfloor Hybrids. In addition, there are stone-aged Optima American Heritage Streetcars (commonly 'trolleys') and museum artifacts here and there (Orion Mark V, Flixible Metro).
Up and down Atlantic Ave (Rt 30), Down General Booth to the campgrounds (Rt 31), and off to Hilltop/Lynnhaven (Rt 32) is $1 a ride. They are NOT free.
Hybrid bus
I agree, that is one ugly bus. It doesn't look like an impressive piece of engineering. Mercedes Benz is selling modern, attractive hybrid buses around the world (Beijing just received several). I read they are going to extend that technology to thir US Orion bus division. I think HRT buys some Orion buses, but their website does not have a "Our Fleet" page describing what buses they operated like most municipal transit system websites.
To tell you the truth, given that I generally see those big fuel-guzzling buses lumbering along with 5 passengers on board, I've never understood why they don't come to their senses and buy something more practical, like fuel-effiencent Toyota "Coaster" medium buses which can hold up to 21 people. They would cost less than half the price (and we all respect Toyota's quality). They could buy 2 buses for every one of those empty behemoths, and then people might not have to wait an hour for a bus. Regrettably, compared to other parts of the world, our mass transit system is ineffective.
Extension of light rail
How long before Virginia Beach City Council creates an agreement with HRT to extend future light rail service from Newtown Road Station to the Oceanfront?
I think the Atlantic Avn
I think the Atlantic Avn busses are free to ride. Not sure as I avoid the oceanfront.
Skoops...
I saw an HRT bus today carrying one passenger and was amazed that there was someone on there. The buses will be running whether they have passengers or not. And, taking into consideration that one eruption of Mt. Pinatubo creates more greenhouse destroying gasses than man has ever produced, would it be better to have empty buses driving up and down the oceanfront or full ones where they may actually recoup some of the expenses? I think that these busses will be better used on the regular commuter routes than at the oceanfront and let the tourists have their fun.
Missed the point... JMO
The point was that, with the way things are today, we don't need to ride a gas gulping pollution creating, trolley for enjoyment...
re: Enjoyment
No one needs to ride a trolley for "enjoyment".
No one needs to ride a roller coaster for "enjoyment".
No one needs to ride a bike for "enjoyment".
No one needs to ride a hot air balloon for "enjoyment".
No one needs to ride a horse for "enjoyment".
Many things that we don't 'need' to do. People don't 'need' to come to VB for a vacation. When they do come here, they may 'choose' to ride the trolley - for their own enjoyment.
jmo