RICHMOND, Va. — A new line called the Tidewater Current is headed to Hampton Roads.
The line can potentially have stops in Virginia Beach, Norfolk, and Newport News, and could allow Hampton Roads residents to easily travel to Richmond, Harrisonburg and Charlottesville.
The new bus route through Virginia Breeze Line would stretch east to west across Interstate 64 creating another method of travel with benefits beyond affordability.
The department's director Jennifer DeBruhl says federal funds allowed the state to grow and develop the program to connect rural communities to the rest of the Commonwealth.
Since its founding in 2017, the program has continued to expand. The program currently has four routes in operation. The Valley Flyer runs from Blacksburg to D.C.; The Capital Connector runs between Martinsville, Richmond, and D.C.; The Piedmont Express runs from Danville to the capitol; and the Highlands Rhythm runs from Bristol to D.C.
"That's part of our key mission here at the Department of Rail and Public Transportation. Our mission is to connect the Commonwealth with innovative transportation solutions. and so the Virginia Breeze is a prime example of that. So by providing a cost-effective service, that it enables, you know, users to travel for, for work or leisure or for education," DeBruhl said. "The service that we provide around the Commonwealth fills some transportation gaps and provides alternatives to getting in a single-occupant vehicle and traveling our congested interstate corridor."
Tom McCoy says he doesn't travel in the state that often but a travel option that can take away the hassle would change that.
"There's kind of a lack of transportation, like rail transportation, and buses take forever to down to western Virginia currently," McCoy said.
The estimated duration of a one-way trip on this route is approximately 6.5 hours. Ticket pricing for the new route is yet to be determined. DRPT anticipates service starting in 2025. The Tidewater Current will provide bi-directional service 365 days a year.