For over a year, Hampton Roads Transit has been working with the cities of Hampton and Newport News to identify high capacity transit options on the peninsula to address future transportation needs. Next week, HRT is hosting three meetings for citizens to review the latest information on this Peninsula Corridor Study including the three corridors recommended for further study and investment and the effort to develop Bus Rapid Transit as an alternate mode of high capacity transportation for residents of the peninsula.

Bus Rapid Transit, or BRT as it’s often called, is a type of transit vehicle that uses articulated buses traveling either on dedicated rights of way or on general travel lanes for service. These systems have distinctive stations, similar in design and performance to a light rail platform, and because of their dedicated rights of way often have quicker service than regular local bus.

As the study nears completion, corridor options have been identified to serve key Peninsula destinations, including major employment and activity centers, and will likely be eligible for federal funding under the current guidelines. The study also found that the number of potential transit riders traveling among major housing, retail and employment centers would justify investment in  such a high capacity system.

The public is encouraged to attend the meetings on:

- Monday, June 26, 6-8 p.m., Hampton Convention Center, 1610 Coliseum Dr, Hampton

- Wednesday, June 28, 6-8 p.m., Downing-Goss Cultural Arts Center, 2410 Wickham Ave, Newport News 
- Thursday, June 29, 6-8 p.m. Denbigh Community Center, 15198 Warwick Blvd, Newport News

The early work on the study generated 18 possible high-capacity corridors, but further technical analysis narrowed that pool down to the three best performing corridors. An important element of the evaluation considered the Federal Transit Administration’s criteria for awarding Capital Improvement Grant program funds. The next step in the process will be to refine the concept alternatives and document benefits and impacts through a federal environmental review process. To learn more about the study, visit www.gohrt.com.