Ridership increases 32 percent on HRT express buses

By Patrick Wilson
The Virginian-Pilot ©
May 22, 2008

The number of people riding express route buses jumped nearly 32 percent in early 2008 compared to last year, Hampton Roads Transit said today.

Ridership on HRT’s express routes was 130,058 between January and April, HRT said. Ridership was 98,701 in the same period last year.

The jump shows people are using public transportation to avoid paying high gas prices, President and CEO Michael Townes said in a statement.

The express routes use HOV lanes to take commuters between HRT centers, park-and-ride facilities and major employers. The route with the biggest increase in riders this year runs between Virginia Beach and Norfolk Naval Station.