THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, August 14, 1996 TAG: 9608140008
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A12 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: 47 lines
I feel compelled to respond to the July 2 letter from Don Vtipil (``Bus ridership down, exhaust up''), because the facts contradict the letter.
A principal point regarded Mr. Vtipil's observation of buses idling at Ward's Corner (and elsewhere), not to wait on passengers but for their schedule to catch up.
In 1989, TRT initiated a timed transfer bus network, similar to the hub system airlines now use. Buses have a three-minute window at transfer centers for each scheduled connection every 30 minutes. With 20 transfer centers and regularly coordinated schedules on all connecting routes, riders now find our services much more convenient.
Surveyed in 1991, more than 70 percent of passengers found that with the new system, schedules had improved, transferring was easier and travel time actually decreased. About 300 people per day transfer at Wards Corner, and more than half of all connections are now made outside of downtown.
Mr. Vtipil also pointed to large, exhaust-belching buses with few riders. TRT has been replacing worn-out buses and, paralleling automobile improvements, new vehicles are less polluting under federally mandated emission controls and get much better fuel mileage. Also, TRT has one of the most-varied fleets in the country: 13 percent are 32-passenger trolleys, 9 percent are 36-passenger buses, 6 percent are 12-25 passenger vehicles, 44 percent are full-sized buses and 28 percent are 10-passenger vans for paratransit.
Our ridership decline ended in fiscal 1994. We are proud that both ridership and revenue increased in 1995, and this trend continues this year. Increases in both ridership and revenue are rare in our industry.
In addition to Mr. Vtipil, others have asked what happened to TRT's Harborfest shuttle service. The huge success of TRT's shuttles wore out our welcome with first Military Circle, then Janaf and then Met Park due to the large number of festivalgoers, who swamped the parking space available. Without parking, our shuttles were no longer needed. I am pleased that recent discussions with Military Circle management and Harborfest Executive Director Don Walker show interest in reviving the shuttle. TRT has been and remains a strong supporter of area festivals and special events.
JAMES C. ECHOLS
Executive director
Tidewater Transportation
District Commission
Norfolk, July 12, 1996 by CNB