Suffolk Transit
{{Short description|Public transit operator in Suffolk, Virginia}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2024}}
{{About|the transit operator in Suffolk, Virginia|the transit operator in Suffolk County, New York|Suffolk County Transit}}
{{Infobox bus company
|name=Suffolk Transit
|logo=File:Suffolk Transit logo.png
|logo_alt=
|parent=Virginia Regional Transit
|founded=2012
|headquarters=
|leader=Maria Ptakowski
|locale=Suffolk, Virginia
|service_type=Fixed route bus service
|annual_ridership= 108,658 (2022)
|fuel_type=Diesel, electric
|website={{URL|https://www.suffolkva.us/429/Suffolk-Transit}}
}}
Suffolk Transit is the provider of bus service within Suffolk, Virginia. Suffolk Transit provides six bus routes with limited service on Saturday and no service on Sunday. Paratransit services are also provided.{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2023-09-01 |title=Suffolk Transit now offering extended service hours |url=https://www.suffolknewsherald.com/2023/09/01/suffolk-transit-now-offering-extended-service-hours/ |access-date=2024-06-30 |website=The Suffolk News-Herald |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Bates |first=Chris |date=2024-05-12 |title=Pros and Cons of Living in Suffolk, VA |url=https://ocnjdaily.com/pros-cons-living-suffolk-va/ |access-date=2024-06-30 |website=OCNJ Daily |language=en-US}} The company operates minibuses with a capacity of 19 passengers.{{Cite web |last=Agnew |first=Tracy |date=2013-06-26 |title=Public transit changes coming |url=https://www.suffolknewsherald.com/2013/06/25/public-transit-changes-coming/ |access-date=2024-07-01 |website=The Suffolk News-Herald |language=en}}
History
Suffolk, Virginia was served by Hampton Roads Transit (HRT) until around late 2011, when HRT stopped serving the area due to low ridership and monetary concerns.{{Cite web |last=Agnew |first=Tracy |date=2011-04-22 |title=City looks into other transit options |url=https://www.suffolknewsherald.com/2011/04/21/city-looks-into-other-transit-options/ |access-date=2024-06-30 |website=The Suffolk News-Herald |language=en}} Suffolk Transit was opened on January 1, 2012, operated by the company Virginia Regional Transit.{{Cite web |last=Agnew |first=Tracy |date=2012-03-24 |title=Suffolk seeks transit input |url=https://www.suffolknewsherald.com/2012/03/23/suffolk-seeks-transit-update/ |access-date=2024-06-30 |website=The Suffolk News-Herald |language=en}} The service originally had two routes with ten bus stops, which by 2023 had grown to six bus routes 180 bus stops.{{Cite web |last=LaRoue |first=Jimmy |date=2022-05-03 |title=Suffolk Transit looks to extend service to Sundays, initiates rider survey |url=https://www.suffolknewsherald.com/2022/05/03/suffolk-transit-looks-to-extend-service-to-sundays-initiates-rider-survey/ |access-date=2024-06-30 |website=The Suffolk News-Herald |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Craven |first=Erika |date=2023-09-14 |title=Suffolk transit works to keep pace with rapid city growth |url=https://www.wtkr.com/news/suffolk-transit-works-to-keep-pace-with-rapid-city-growth |access-date=2024-06-30 |website=News 3 WTKR Norfolk |language=en}} Ridership in the first year was 24,662.
In 2022, Suffolk Transit received a grant from the Department of Transportation to purchase two electric buses and charging stations.{{Cite web |last=Bass |first=Lauryn |date=2022-08-15 |title=Suffolk Transit awarded over $560K from Department of Transportation for electric buses |url=https://www.wtkr.com/news/suffolk-transit-awarded-over-560k-from-department-of-transportation-for-electric-buses |access-date=2024-06-30 |website=News 3 WTKR Norfolk |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Cline |first=Nathaniel |date=2022-12-02 |title=Around Virginia, transit agencies navigate the transition to electric buses • Virginia Mercury |url=https://virginiamercury.com/2022/12/02/around-virginia-transit-agencies-navigate-the-transition-to-electric-buses/ |access-date=2024-06-30 |website=Virginia Mercury |language=en-US}} Ridership in 2022 was 108,658. The company has also been evaluating a commuter bus route to Windsor, Virginia pending funding and have a plan for a commuter bus route between the industrial park area in Suffolk and the Victory Crossing area in Portsmouth, Virginia.{{Cite web |last=LaRoue |first=Jimmy |date=2022-05-11 |title=Orange and Blue, more direct bus routes proposed for you |url=https://www.suffolknewsherald.com/2022/05/10/orange-and-blue-more-direct-bus-routes-proposed-for-you/ |access-date=2024-06-30 |website=The Suffolk News-Herald |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=LaRoue |first=Jimmy |date=2022-05-13 |title=County, Suffolk to apply for money to start Windsor bus service |url=https://www.smithfieldtimes.com/2022/05/13/county-suffolk-to-apply-for-money-to-start-windsor-bus-service/ |access-date=2024-06-30 |website=Smithfield Times |language=en}} Suffolk Transit also plans to increase collaboration with other nearby bus operators, HRT and Williamsburg Area Transit Authority to increase access to transit in the area.{{Cite web |last=Avery |first=Amy |date=2023-11-29 |title=Collaborating for future of public transit in Hampton Roads |url=https://www.wavy.com/news/local-news/collaborating-for-future-of-public-transit-in-hampton-roads/ |access-date=2024-06-30 |website=WAVY.com |language=en-US}} HRT also operates an express bus route in the area that goes to the Amazon warehouse.{{Cite web |last=Burchett |first=Caitlyn |date=2022-11-01 |title=New bus route serves Chesapeake, Suffolk Amazon warehouse workers |url=https://www.pilotonline.com/2022/11/01/new-bus-route-serves-chesapeake-suffolk-amazon-warehouse-workers/ |access-date=2024-06-30 |website=The Virginian-Pilot |language=en-US}}
Routes
Suffolk Transit operates six routes:{{Cite web |title=Routes & Schedules |url=https://www.suffolkva.us/452/Routes-Schedules |access-date=2024-06-30 |website=www.suffolkva.us}}{{Cite web |date=August 2023 |title=Suffolk Transit Schedule and Routes |url=https://www.suffolkva.us/DocumentCenter/View/8953/Brochure-2023 |access-date=2024-06-30 |website=suffolkva.us}}
- Green Route - Saratoga / Godwin Blvd
- Orange Route - White Marsh / East Washington
- Red Route - Magnolia Gardens / Pruden Blvd
- Yellow Route - Holland Rd / Paul D Camp
- Pink Route - Downtown / N. Suffolk Connector
- Purple Route - N. Suffolk Bridge Rd / College Dr.
See also
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [https://www.suffolkva.us/429/Suffolk-Transit Official website]
{{Transportation in the Hampton Roads Region}}
Category:Transportation in Hampton Roads
Category:Transportation in Suffolk, Virginia
Category:Bus transportation in Virginia
Category:Transit agencies in Virginia