City mourns loss of teen as transit program launches

During a recent Newport News City Council meeting, officials expressed their condolences following a tragic shooting that claimed the life of a 15-year-old community member. City leaders, including Councilman Ealy and Councilman Vick, were acknowledged for their ongoing support in the southeast area as the city grapples with this loss.

The meeting transitioned to a presentation on the Hampton Roads Transit (HRT) micro transit program, which aims to launch a year-long shared service following a successful pilot program. City Manager Alan Archer introduced the initiative, highlighting its potential to enhance public transportation in the region.

Ray Amirito, HRT's Chief Planning and Development Officer, detailed the program's funding structure, which includes an 80-20 split between state and local contributions. The program is set to operate in two zones: Newport News and Virginia Beach, with the possibility of extending service beyond the initial year. The pilot program, which ran for seven months, demonstrated significant demand, with over 34,000 trip requests and more than 26,600 completed rides.

The new service will utilize an app for ride bookings, allowing users to connect with minivans operating within designated zones. The program aims to improve accessibility to key locations, including the Amtrak multimodal station and local shopping centers.

As part of the marketing strategy, HRT aims to increase ridership by 20% compared to the previous pilot, while also encouraging connections to existing bus and light rail services. The council expressed optimism about the program's potential to meet community transportation needs and enhance overall public transit usage in the area.