Mass Transit Open Huse Participant Cmments September 16, 2008 Virginia Beach Cnventin Center The fllwing cmments and questins were submitted verbally and in writing at a public pen huse held in the Virginia Beach Cnventin Center. There were ver 100 participants at the pen huse, which included presentatins abut the Nrflk Light Rail prject by HRT, an verview f the Cmprehensive Planning prcess in the City f Virginia Beach, and a status update f the Nrflk/Suthern right-f-way acquisitin by the City. The cmments and questins have been gruped by tpics. Public s Cmments n General Tpics When yu get t the ceanfrnt with the light rail, yu have t have real expectatins. Much supprt fr the light rail system!!!! We are s far behind Eurpe!! I m ppsed because f cst. I wuld supprt tax increase fr duble-decker highways instead. It wuld take t lng t g frm my huse, t statin, t wrk estimated 58 minutes nw takes 24 minutes t drive I favr light rail. I want it t g places where peple g Resrt area, airprt, Oceana, Nrflk Naval Base, Amphibius Base, Olde Twne Prtsmuth, dwntwn Hamptn. VB is s spread ut, a light rail line running here (Nrflk-Suthern R.O.W.) desn t serve s many peple. This rail line is ging t service density that isn t there yet. Make envirnmental impact study publicly available. RESPONSE: Upn cmpletin, the draft EIS will be available t the public n the City s website (www.vbgv.cm/masstransit). There will als be additinal public meetings and ther pprtunities fr fficial public input and cmments. The cst t the taxpayers fr LRT wuld be t much f a financial burden. There will be a lt f majr ppsitin t this if there is n referendum. Wuld like t see if HRT culd becme private. There shuld be a premium n the fare fr services such as the express buses r LRT. Negative publicity thru radi statin media killed the 1999 referendum. If LRT is put n ballt, prpnents need t d hmewrk and educate these radi persnalities
Parking needs t g vertical. Run the mass transit t the airprt. Cities need t wrk tgether t achieve reginal gals. If LRT went up Military Highway it wuld be a big draw. It wuld hit mre ppulatin centers. It s difficult t identify destinatins with a city this large and sprawled ut. They will take my huse n 22 nd street. RESPONSE: N prperty takings have been cnsidered at this time. In fact, a preferred rute has nt been identified. The exact layut (and the need fr land acquisitin, if any) will be determined after an alignment is agreed upn and initial engineering wrk is cmpleted. Please, please, please include a bicycle path frm Newtwn Rd. thrugh dwntwn Nrflk and in the light rail cnstructin thrugh Virginia Beach. I think the light rail shuld be extended t the Oceanfrnt. Dn t let the naysayers get yu dwn. Thanks fr yur leadership-ride the Tide all the way t the beach! Fabulus plans. Hpe all succeeds. Thank yu fr tnight s presentatin. I applaud the city s effrt t take a pr-active apprach n transprtatin and strategic grwth. Tnight was a great start n pening a dialg with residents n this imprtant tpic. I wish yu many successes as the prcess mves frward. Please extend the light rail t the ceanfrnt. It was needed 10 years ag. Cnsider anther statin n Kentucky Ave (between Twn Center and Rsemnt). Many ptential riders in Thalia neighbrhd. Very gd presentatins. We need light rail t the Oceanfrnt. Yu need substantial bicycle parking at the statins. Nt everyne wants t take a bicycle n the train and fur bikes per train is nt enugh t handle the traffic. I wuld like t see mre bridge inspectins, including I-264. Wh rides buses? Peple lve their cars. Disappinted that they didn t pen the flr fr discussin. I think that this is a gd frmat. Style f meeting and presentatin were excellent. I anticipated mre f a dialgue between staff and citizens. If yu can eliminate cars, d it. Make it hard as pssible fr peple t drive cars. Interested in safety f pedestrians and bicyclists. Why wuld we ride the transit t Nrflk? I nly g there ccasinally.
Public s questins regarding the Nrflk-Suthern Right-f-way What is the status f the city s effrt t acquire the Nrflk Suthern right-f-way? RESPONSE: The city is wrking diligently t buy the right-f-way, which has nt been fficially abandned by the railrad at this time. Is it a sure thing that we will acquire the rw? RESPONSE: City Cuncil has directed staff t prceed in acquisitin f the prperty, even if cndemnatin is required. We cannt cndemn until the abandnment prcess is cmplete, but we are determined t eventually wn the right-f-way. Ideally, bth parties will be able t negtiate a sale withut use f cndemnatin. What was the cst (per mile) paid fr the Nrflk sectin f the Nrflk Suthern right-f-way? Hw des that figure cmpare t the ffer n the table fr Virginia Beach tday? RESPONSE: The Nrflk leg cst apprximately $1.5 millin per mile. There are n frmal ffers n the table fr Virginia Beach at this time.
Public s questins regarding current bus service What are the requirements fr bus system expansin? Des HRT have the capacity t increase its buses nw, specifically n Rute 1, expanding bus service between Chesapeake and Virginia Beach Municipal Center, as well as a pssible bus rute alng Centerville Turnpike? Can the hurs be extended? RESPONSE: Ridership figures and system peratins are under regular review by HRT and the City f Virginia Beach. There are n specific requirements r standards that determine expansin r reductin in service. Such decisins are typically dne n a caseby-case basis. Hwever, the Hamptn Rads Metrplitan Planning Organizatin is currently lking at the entire HRT system and is preparing a reginal lng-range transit plan. This prject will be cmpleted in early 2009. These specific suggestins will be included in the review. What s wrng with the current bus system? Is it an antiquated r inadequate system? RESPONSE: The current bus system des service a large prtin f the City and regin, but frequent users, especially thse that rely n HRT as their primary mde f transprtatin, ften cite the fllwing needs fr imprvement. Mre frequent service. Currently, mst rutes nly run nce an hur. Expanded hurs. Many rutes d nt run in the evening. Weekend service is limited n mst rutes. There are many areas f the City where the nearest bus rute is nt within an easily walkable distance.
Public s questins regarding the planned Nrflk Light Rail Operatins What will the prgress be n the Nrflk segment f the Light Rail by the end f year? RESPONSE: The cnstructin will cntinue t mve frward twards the gal f pening in 2010. Currently, wrk is underway n the preparatin f the tracks and verhead pwer system. Cnstructin updates are fund at http://www.ridethetide.cm/lightrailcnstructin/lightrail_cnstructin.html. Where are the statins lcated that wuld be cnvenient fr students at NSU? RESPONSE: On September 26, 2008, the Transprtatin District Cmmissin f Hamptn Rads apprved the relcatin f the Nrflk State University statin t a site just west f Brambletn Avenue. This mve was made at the request f the University. Hw will the system allw yu make transfers t the buses? RESPONSE: HRT is cnverting t a transfer-free single fare system daily, weekly, r mnthly pass fr all mdes, including ferry and the future Nrflk LRT. This cnversin is already underway at HRT and was put int effect n Octber 6, 2008. Is it true permanent bus transfer statins in Nrflk wn t be near the light rail statins? RESPONSE: Each LRT statin is unique based n the characteristics f their lcatins. Hwever, five f the statins will have dedicated access t HRT bus rutes, including the Newtwn Rad statin lcated at the Nrflk/Virginia Beach city limits. Hw many peple will light rail mve during rush hur? RESPONSE: Daily ridership is expected t be 6,000 12,000 riders per day. In mst cities, light rail fares are higher than bus fares. What wuld the fares be here? RESPONSE: LRT fares are higher cmpared t buses in sme cities, particularly where the LRT prvides a premium, lnger distance service cmpared t lcal buses. Pittsburgh and Cleveland wuld be examples f this. In ther lcatins, such as Baltimre and Charltte, there are n differences between bus and LRT fares. Nrflk LRT will be in the latter categry f instituting a single system fare fr bus and rail. Hw fast can it g? RESPONSE: The vehicle can travel as fast as 55 mph, althugh physical and perating limitatins tend t limit actual travel speeds t less than this maximum. Will there be high-speed internet n the light rail? RESPONSE: Nt initially. Pssibly in the future. Will the light rail interfere with cell phne service fr passengers? RESPONSE: N, yu shuld be able t use yur cell phne just as yu wuld in yur car. Is an verpass planned ver the Sewells Pint rail line (near Ballentine)? RESPONSE: An verpass ver the Sewells Pint rail line is currently under cnstructin. Hw are the prjectins fr Nrflk s cst nw s much lwer than frm befre (1999)? Where did the riginal figures cme frm? (Nte: The figures quted by the questiner were an estimate
f $1,264 millin r $69 millin per mile fr the Nrflk t Oceanfrnt line in the 1999 estimate t tday s estimate f $232 millin r $27.8 millin per mile fr the segment being cnstructed tday). RESPONSE: The 1999 figure f $1,264 millin included the capital csts f a 20 year agency-wide bus service expansin and replacement prgram which included the purchase f apprximately 100 new buses, a new bus maintenance facility, shelters, van pls, demand respnse vehicles, ferry vessels, etc. The 1999 Envirnmental Impact Statement prjected the LRT capital csts frm Dwntwn Nrflk t the Oceanfrnt at $465.2 millin in 1998 dllars, r $25.5 millin per mile (Page 19-4, Nrflk-Virginia Beach LRT FEIS)The current $232 millin prjectin fr the Nrflk LRT prject reflects nly LRT capital csts. When the Light Rail is run dwn existing streets in dwntwn Nrflk, hw much additinal traffic cngestin will it create due t the lss f 2 lanes f existing radway? RESPONSE: In actual practice, there is limited lss f capacity. In dwntwn Nrflk, the LRT is nt remving traffic lanes, even n Mnticell Avenue, but effectively displaces parking lanes. There is a traffic lane remval n W. Yrk, Bute, and Charltte Streets that cnverts these radways t ne way traffic; but existing traffic vlumes n these streets are very light. What is the annual perating cst fr the Nrflk starter line? RESPONSE: The Operating Cst Prjectins reflect a range f apprximately $7 millin - $9 millin per year thrugh the year 2020. What is the fare per mile fr riding the Tide? RESPONSE: Fares are $1.50 per passenger barding n the 7.4 mile system. Multiple day passes will be available, based n HRT s new fare plicy, that will prvide further discunted fares. What are the planned annual csts being budgeted fr the replacement f each rail car when it reaches its end f service life? RESPONSE: Each car csts apprximately $3.5 millin. Because the majr LRT vehicle cmpnents are replaced at different intervals, prjected annual csts are typically estimated and prjected under annual Operating Csts fr Vehicle Maintenance frm the prjected Operatins Plan. Hw lng will the Light Rail cars purchased fr the Tide last (planned service life)? RESPONSE: HRT Sme prtins f the vehicle last lnger than thers and are replaced r verhauled in phases. The electrical cmpnents and tractin mtrs generally have a service life f 25 years, the interir seating and cmpnents tend t be replaced every 15 t 20 years, the bdy shell and frame f the vehicle can be expected t last at least 50 years in nrmal service. Wheels, brakes, and pantgraph cmpnents tend t be replaced relatively frequently in revenue service. What cuntry manufactures the Light Rail cars fr the Tide? RESPONSE: Siemens Transprtatin Systems, a subsidiary f Siemens AG f Germany, is currently manufacturing the Nrflk LRT vehicles in Sacrament, CA. Mrever, manufacture f these vehicles cnfrms t the Buy America Act as a Federally funded prject.
Hw many plice fficers will be statined at each statin? Hw much will that cst? RESPONSE: Patrls fr fare evasin as part f nrmal LRT peratin will invlve randm special plice persnnel in the inspectin f vehicle fares, and these inspectrs vary their rutine frm statin t statin. Hw will riders be prtected frm crime? RESPONSE: HRT All vehicles, statin platfrms, and parking facilities are well lit, are in pen view, are nt islated areas, and the LRT vehicles have mnitring cameras. In practice, regular patrls are made f park and ride areas, and fare enfrcement is cnducted by a dedicated special plice frce riding at randm, the Va. Beach plice department are als available fr respnse as needed. Will riders be permitted t carry firearms n bard the Tide (fr self defense)? RESPONSE: The Cde f Virginia articulates the qualificatins fr an individual wh wishes t penly carry a weapn in the Cmmnwealth f Virginia. Additinally, the Cde f Virginia gverns the apprpriate type f weapn and the lcatins where that weapn may lawfully be carried. As a cmmn carrier, it is the respnsibility f HRT t take all reasnable steps t insure the safety f its passengers. T that end, it is the plicy f HRT t cperate fully with lcal law enfrcement agencies t insure that HRT passengers cmply with the Cde f Virginia.. Will the drivers n the Tide be armed? RESPONSE: N.
Questins t be addressed during upcming Envirnmental Impact Statement The fllwing questins frm the public will be addressed in the develpment f the Envirnmental Impact Statement (EIS), which is anticipated t kick-ff during the beginning f 2009. The draft dcument will be released t the public fr review and cmment upn cmpletin. Hw much will system cst t build, perate, and maintain? What are the ridership estimates? D we have the densities necessary fr this t be feasible? Hw lng will it take? Hw will it be phased? When wuld LRT be cnstructed in Virginia Beach? Hw can LRT be funded? What is the estimated number f cmmuter vehicles that will be remved frm I-264 during the mrning and evening peak cmmuter perids? Will the line cntinue all the way t the ceanfrnt hw and what happens after that pint? Will it parallel with 19 th St? Where at Twn Center will the statin be lcated? Is BRT (Bus Rapid Transit) a viable ptin, pssibly using BRT r anther transit mde as an interim use prir t a ptential f fixed-rail transit? If the system culd nt extend all the way, culd an initial phase stp at Twn Center? Are there any impacts t the envirnment fr the VB prpsed line? Hw will the statins affect the I-264 interchanges? Will the verall cst f the plan, and the annual cst, ever be divulged t the public? We all need t knw bth the pr s and mre f the cns. Are ther alternative means being lked at, specific areas fr statins and park and ride lts, feeder line cnnectins, etc.? Can HRT becme privatized? Peple wh dn t use HRT shuldn t be taxed fr peple wh d. What is the needed vlume f riders t make system wrk? Is there any pprtunity fr a parallel light rail use within the I-264 R.O.W? Why nt put a line dwn the median n I-264? Mag Lev system pssibilities? What abut using similar trains that are used at Disney Land (Histric-style turist riented trains)? Hw much f a reality is ding the light rail thing in Virginia Beach?
Public s cmments regarding the meeting frmat Why is this nt an pen frum? What was the intent f this frmat (breakut sessins). RESPONSE: The fur breakut sessins were used s staff culd cllect and address as many questins r cmments as pssible. An pen frum wuld have nly allwed ne speaker at a time. With an audience f ver 100 participants, there wuld nt have been enugh time t answer all questins. In additin, many participants are nt cmfrtable speaking in frnt f the larger audiences. The breakuts allwed fr mre intimate discussins and the frmat turned ut t be very successful based n the level f input and discussin at the meeting. What are yu ging t d with this infrmatin yu get tday? RESPONSE: These questins and cmments will be used and addressed as we mve frward with the EIS.
Public s questins n general tpics Why is the 1999 EIS nt being used nw? RESPONSE: This dcument will be used as a starting pint fr the new EIS, but the infrmatin in it is quite dated. Many circumstances have changed in Virginia Beach, such as the develpment f Twn Center, the use f Strategic Grwth Areas in the Cmprehensive Plan, and changes due t BRAC, that necessitate a cmplete update f the riginal EIS. Why was this frum nt n HRT website? RESPONSE: This was nt an HRT spnsred meeting. The City f Virginia Beach cnducted the meeting, but invited HRT t present infrmatin abut the Nrflk LRT prject as an infrmatinal item. Where did the state allcated $15 mil, as cited in this meeting, cme frm? RESPONSE: The funds were apprpriated in the 2007 state budget and are still available fr the right-f-way acquisitin. Where will the $2 mil cme frm fr the Envirnmental Impact Statement? RESPONSE: The state allcated funds nted abve r ther state funds will be used fr the EIS. What is the difference between light rail and heavy rail (Amtrack system)? RESPONSE: There are several definitins fr bth light and heavy rail, but here are sme general differences. Light rail systems are typically perated at r abve grund, smetimes in the right-f-way f city streets. Vehicles are typically electric and have smaller capacity than their heavy rail cunterparts. The LRT trackway is nt electrified and allws fr pedestrian crssing f the tracks. Vehicles are als typically quieter and lighter than heavy rail. Heavy rail vehicles are usually used in dedicated rights-f-way such as in New Yrk City and Washingtn DC. Sme heavy rail systems such as Amtrak, use lcmtives-either diesel r electric-and are usually much lnger trains with high capacity. They smetimes share freight rail tracks. Electrificatin is prvided via a third rail which prhibits pedestrian crssing f the tracks. Is this the first light rail line system in VA? RESPONSE: There are n ther light rail systems in Virginia. The nearest light rail systems are in Baltimre and Charltte. The DC Metr system is cnsidered heavy rail r rapid transit. Amtrak als serves Virginia, with the nearest statin being lcated in Newprt News. Where des light rail stand in hierarchy f highway prjects? RESPONSE: Light rail is nt currently a city prject. Hwever, the acquisitin f the Nrflk-Suthern right-f-way fr a future city use cntinues t be a tp pririty f the City. The City Cuncil will determine the future f a transit prject fr the crridr after the cmpletin f the EIS.
What abut linking LRT up t the Naval base? RESPONSE: Cntinuatin f the Nrflk line t ther destinatins, including the Naval Base, Chesapeake, Prtsmuth, Airprt, and the Peninsula are all pssible future phases f the regin s transit/lrt netwrk. Is there a ppulatin increase prjected fr the area? RESPONSE: The US Census Bureau estimates the City f Virginia Beach ppulatin at 434,743 fr 2007. The Cmmnwealth f Virginia estimates the ppulatin will increase t 493,095 by 2030. The metrplitan area (VB, Nrflk, Chesapeake, Newprt News, Hamptn, etc) is expected t grw frm 1.69 millin in 2010 t 1.96 millin in 2030. Will there be anther referendum? RESPONSE: This wuld be a decisin f the City Cuncil after the cmpletin f the EIS. Will there be a prject manager frm each f the cities? RESPONSE: HRT wuld manage and perate the design and cnstructin f a transit prject, with significant input frm City f Virginia Beach staff. Will statins be accessible t handicapped and elderly? RESPONSE: Statins and vehicles will meet r exceed all federal ADA requirements, prviding full accessibility fr handicapped and elderly users. Hw will pedestrians and bicycles crss the tracks? Hw can we best integrate bicycle facilities? RESPONSE: Details wuld be determined in the design phase f a prject, but all transit imprvements wuld include safely designed pedestrian and bicycle crssings, accessibility, and the inclusin f amenities such as bike racks/lckers. Als, all vehicles wuld likely accmmdate bikes in sme way. Are yu taking int cnsideratin that develpment f the SGA s will create mre cngestin, such as Twn Center and the I-264/Independence interchange? Currently the underpass has n pedestrian facilities. RESPONSE: The SGA s are detailed area plans that address all aspects f land use in and arund the planning areas, including multi-mdal transprtatin. Transit is a key cmpnent in the develpment f the SGA plans. Pedestrian access t statins and destinatins within the planning area will als be addressed in the SGA plans and the EIS. What studies are t be undertaken t mve frward (next steps)? RESPONSE: An update t the 1999 Envirnmental Impact Statement is the next step. This shuld kick f in early 2009. The draft EIS will be distributed t the public fr review and cmment. Afterwards, it will be frwarded t the City Cuncil, at which time they will make the decisin n the next steps.