Hampton Roads Transit brought back its on-demand micro-transit to Virginia Beach and Newport News.
The service returned to the two Hampton Roads cities on Monday, with free fares for its first two weeks of operation.
“We found the last pilot, there was a lot of customer satisfaction, like a 4.85. Out of five stars. So it worked,” said Hampton Roads Transit Communication Manager, Thomas Becker.
He said the project received more funding after the success of the 2022-2023 pilot.
Similar to Uber or Lyft cars, people can call upon a ride from the service via an app - in this case, the HRT on-demand app - and the black minivan Chryslers being used for the service will be decorated with a highly visible HRT on Demand logo.
“I would call it the first and last mile of your travel,” Becker said. “The idea is you can get within that zone, or you can get near one of our bus stops.”
Becker said the advantage of this service is that riders will have access to more destinations beyond their fixed-bus routes, with eight cars operating in Newport News and six operating in Virginia Beach. He said there are wheelchair-accessible vehicles available too.
The service's rideshare option will also operate over a 15-square-mile radius in Virginia Beach and a 20-square-mile radius in Newport News.
“So, this is good if you don’t have access to a vehicle, or you want to be out at night and don’t want to drink and drive."
Riders can also reach college campuses, grocery stores, hospitals, shopping centers and routes of attraction in Newport News including the City’s Town Center and the new Amtrak station.
“It is a great way to get around within the zone, i.e.. locally, or to get to your nearest bus stop," said Becker. "And it’s free for two weeks after that; it’s just $2 one way.”
On, Election Day, Nov. 5, Hampton Roads Transit is offering free rides to the polls; whether passengers are using the bus, light rail, ferry or para-transit to cast their ballot at the polls.
Learn more about the HRT on-demand service by visiting GoHRT.com/Ondemand.