cityboi757

I'm almost certain the station platforms I've seen at Harbr Park and Medical Centr are 180 feet, meaning two car stations.

http://www.gohrt.com/vbtes/documents/hrt-n...r-sep09-web.pdf Detailed information on the the VBTES. Light Rail Transit (LRT) on the Norfolk Southern Alignment: The light rail alternative would extend The Tide LRT along the existing east-west railroad corridor in Virginia Beach. This alternative would provide station stops at various points along the alignment that will be identified and finalized as part of the study. Preliminary station areas to be studied (for both BRT and LRT) include: Witchduck, Town Center, Rosemont, Lynnhaven, Great Neck, Oceana, Birdneck and the Convention Center/Oceanfront areas. The BRT and LRT build alternatives will also include the identification of a site for a Vehicle Storage and Maintenance Facility. Consideration will also be given to the location of park-and-ride facilities associated with stations as well as feeder bus service and determination of the need for grade separations where the transit guideway crosses local streets. Local, state and federal agency representatives will participate in the VBTES process led by the lead agency, HRT. At the conclusion of the process and based on the evaluation criteria established, the alternative that best meets the project

That is true brikkman. Only problem is the darkness, the smell, and the dirty bathrooms.

Most of the time I'm on the ferry it's at least 40-50 people on it (I've never seen it after a tides game). But you are right, the ferry has very strong ridership. If they don't put it LRT through the midtown tunnel, unless ridership estimates were like 100,000 a day, I don't see them building a underwater tunnel solely for rapid transit.. The mayors of Portsmouth and Norfolk should be in Richmond right now fighting to put LRT through the tunnel. Especially with them putting tolls on it. Ridership would go through the roof.. It will be a serious loss if it doesn't happen.

Just curious. Honestly, do you all think the tide will make 11,500 trips per day? It seems do able, but what do the experts think?

Sorry, another random question. Will the platforms have countdown until next train signs?

maybe that's the plan. build small platforms so you have overflow and then you can say "so many people ride the train there isn't even enough room, we have to extend this to the oceanfront asap!"

People will not want to wait for the next train if the first one is full, 7.5 minutes is a long time when your trying to get home.

This is how the train will look if they use single car trains. Taken in middle of the day #20 This is for whoever thinks only bums ride the bus.

^^ Agreed. HRT is running two car trains during peak hours, right? All the simulations seem to only have single car trains running.. Once again, that's not going to work, especially during special event service like a Tides game. I surely hope the platforms are being built for 2 car trains. Otherwise the stations will be too crowded and will make riding not so appealing. Nevermind I found it.

Comments from Pilotonline.com! Most retaurants at Town Center are very reasonable. I think much of the griping here is based on heresay. Go and actually VISIT Town Center before making assumptions. Bottom line: Light rail WILL happen in VB. Town Center is thriving. And Town Center West is coming. I can't wait. I dont go to Town Center-I cant afford it! But I have no problem parking my car and taking the the light rail to work down in Norfolk! I hate driving in this area, and it wont cost a lot. Light rail it a good idea, and it will be great for people who dont drive,cant drive and need to get to work or go shopping. Look at the big picture, it wont be just for Town Center-We all can use it and at some point it will take us all over the area! It will end up brining in money! It is so-o-o good to see VB planning for light rail. For several years VB'ers have posted almost continuous negative comments in the Pilot regarding Norfolk's light rail, like it was theirs to comment on. Now Norfolkians can return the favor. Of course light rail in VB is destined to be much better than light rail in Norfolk - just ask all those posters that live in VB. If we bring urban infrastructure (ie TC, ligth-rail, urban growth, & offices to hold firms), we bring high paying jobs...Then WE ALL can eat. Finally progress is coming to southern Virginia, with a light rail and an urban core, once elusive high paying salry jobs can now come to the area. What would be nice is if they moved the courthouse and administration to TC and made that area a University...Va Beach would be a force to on the South Side of Virginia. Don't forget connecting Shore Drive & the airport. Hopefully this starter line will expand and reach its full potential over the next 10-20 years. I welcome light rail and updating dreary areas of the City. I am curious about those who comment not being able to afford eating at T.C. Come on, P.F. Chang's is certainly reasonably priced, especially the lunch specials. Macaroni Grill is also affordable. Admittedly Ruth Chris Steakhouse is pricey, Bravo's serves great food and not going to kill a budget either. Seems like some of you either like to gripe or really haven't tried the places for yourselves, just follow other complainers OOOHHHHHHH...the suspense is killing me! Thanks aalto, but I prefer to speak for myself. Actually, this strategic plan is much wider is scope than just Town Center, and it encompasses the area from Thalia to Clearfield Avenue which is just west of Witchduck Road. Much of this area is comprised of light industrial uses so this area has great potential for multi use, vertical development. Even the areas along Virginia Beach Boulevard south of Aragonna are needful of a makeover, and by setting standards and thinking land use, zoning, transportation, and perhaps even design guidelines, the city can stimulate and guide growth and redevelopment in the next 20-30 years. Frankly, if this were not being done, the City would be remiss, but thankfully, it is in process and it will aid in Transit oriented development as well.

So far, the comments in the Pilot are surprisingly positive and people are asking for expansions throughout the whole city..

^^ Both!

http://hamptonroads.com/2009/09/va-beach-c...r-pembroke-plan City planners have finished the plan that will guide development of Town Center and the Pembroke area. Light rail is a big focus in the Beach's first foray into urban-style growth. The City Council will be briefed on the plan Tuesday at 4 p.m. at City Hall.

^^ I agree. If all goes well, we won't need to drive and park to ride the trains.. But for the next 4 or 5 years, thats' where the majority of the ridership will come from, park and riders. If HRT or the city built a parking deck now (maybe 750 spaces), that would open up the other part of the surface lot for private investment and would ensure there is enough parking for everyone.. You don't think more then 300 people are going to park and ride from Newtown to downtown to avoid that horrible downtown traffic in the evenings? TCC students, Businessmen and women, Anybody going to MacArthur. Tides & Admirals fans? You could have 300 ride from Newtown to MacArthur station alone! Wouldn't it be bad if people didn't ride because parking wasn't convenient, and the parking lot was overcrowded. Don't underestimate ridership on The Tide! 4 years agoo Charlotteans thought their rail would fail miserably, now look at it! 200% over initial estimates. What makes you think Norfolk will be different? We probably have more on our transit line then they do. They have a NBA arena, some residential neighborhoods, then uptown stations. We have a college, baseball stadium, hockey arena, downtown, major shopping and resiential station (military hwy.), residential neighborhoods (ingelside, ballentine), college foootball stadium,city hall station, hospital! I expect ridership to be pretty high believe it or not.