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.[2][3] The company operates minibuses with a capacity of 19 passengers.[4]

Suffolk Transit
ParentVirginia Regional Transit
Founded2012
LocaleSuffolk, Virginia
Service typeFixed route bus service
Annual ridership108,658 (2022)[1]
Fuel typeDiesel, electric
ManagerMaria Ptakowski
Websitewww.suffolkva.us/429/Suffolk-Transit

History

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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.[5] Suffolk Transit was opened on January 1, 2012, operated by the company Virginia Regional Transit.[6] The service originally had two routes with ten bus stops, which by 2023 had grown to six bus routes 180 bus stops.[1][7] Ridership in the first year was 24,662.[1]

In 2022, Suffolk Transit received a grant from the Department of Transportation to purchase two electric buses and charging stations.[8][9] Ridership in 2022 was 108,658.[1] 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.[10][11] 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.[12] HRT also operates an express bus route in the area that goes to the Amazon warehouse.[13]

Routes

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Suffolk Transit operates six routes:[14][15]

  • 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

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d LaRoue, Jimmy (May 3, 2022). "Suffolk Transit looks to extend service to Sundays, initiates rider survey". The Suffolk News-Herald. Retrieved June 30, 2024.
  2. ^ "Suffolk Transit now offering extended service hours". The Suffolk News-Herald. September 1, 2023. Retrieved June 30, 2024.
  3. ^ Bates, Chris (May 12, 2024). "Pros and Cons of Living in Suffolk, VA". OCNJ Daily. Retrieved June 30, 2024.
  4. ^ Agnew, Tracy (June 26, 2013). "Public transit changes coming". The Suffolk News-Herald. Retrieved July 1, 2024.
  5. ^ Agnew, Tracy (April 22, 2011). "City looks into other transit options". The Suffolk News-Herald. Retrieved June 30, 2024.
  6. ^ Agnew, Tracy (March 24, 2012). "Suffolk seeks transit input". The Suffolk News-Herald. Retrieved June 30, 2024.
  7. ^ Craven, Erika (September 14, 2023). "Suffolk transit works to keep pace with rapid city growth". News 3 WTKR Norfolk. Retrieved June 30, 2024.
  8. ^ Bass, Lauryn (August 15, 2022). "Suffolk Transit awarded over $560K from Department of Transportation for electric buses". News 3 WTKR Norfolk. Retrieved June 30, 2024.
  9. ^ Cline, Nathaniel (December 2, 2022). "Around Virginia, transit agencies navigate the transition to electric buses • Virginia Mercury". Virginia Mercury. Retrieved June 30, 2024.
  10. ^ LaRoue, Jimmy (May 11, 2022). "Orange and Blue, more direct bus routes proposed for you". The Suffolk News-Herald. Retrieved June 30, 2024.
  11. ^ LaRoue, Jimmy (May 13, 2022). "County, Suffolk to apply for money to start Windsor bus service". Smithfield Times. Retrieved June 30, 2024.
  12. ^ Avery, Amy (November 29, 2023). "Collaborating for future of public transit in Hampton Roads". WAVY.com. Retrieved June 30, 2024.
  13. ^ Burchett, Caitlyn (November 1, 2022). "New bus route serves Chesapeake, Suffolk Amazon warehouse workers". The Virginian-Pilot. Retrieved June 30, 2024.
  14. ^ "Routes & Schedules". www.suffolkva.us. Retrieved June 30, 2024.
  15. ^ "Suffolk Transit Schedule and Routes". suffolkva.us. August 2023. Retrieved June 30, 2024.
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