Tide Light Rail
| The Tide | |
|---|---|
Tide Light Rail train during a test run in January 2011
|
|
| Overview | |
| Type | Light rail |
| System | Hampton Roads Transit |
| Status | Operational |
| Locale | Norfolk, Virginia |
| Termini |
EVMC / Fort Norfolk (west) Newtown Road (east) |
| Stations | 11 |
| Services | 1 |
| Website | The Tide - Hampton Roads Transit |
| Operation | |
| Opened | August 19, 2011 |
| Owner | Hampton Roads Transit |
| Operator(s) | Hampton Roads Transit |
| Rolling stock | Siemens S70 |
| Technical | |
| Line length | 7.4 mi (11.9 km) |
| Track gauge | 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in) |
| Electrification | 750 V DC, overhead catenary |
The Tide is a 7.4 mi (12 km) light rail line in Norfolk, Virginia, connecting Eastern Virginia Medical School, Downtown Norfolk, Norfolk State University, and Newtown Road. Service began on August 19, 2011, the first light rail system in Virginia.
The Tide is operated by Hampton Roads Transit (HRT). Fares match local bus fares and the line accepts HRT's GO Passes.
In November 1999, the City of Virginia Beach conducted a referendum regarding the construction and operation of light rail into Virginia Beach along the Norfolk Southern railroad right-of-way. The proposed route would connect downtown Norfolk to the Virginia Beach oceanfront. The referendum led to a community discussion of the proposed light rail and feeder bus system. Local media and many special interest groups debated the matter in great detail, using information provided by a DEIS (Draft Environmental impact statement). The voters of Virginia Beach rejected the proposed light rail system. The Virginia Beach City Council then passed a 10-year resolution declaring that the city would no longer have any future involvement in the proposed light rail line. Years later, a major economic and development hub has been built along the Norfolk Southern rail corridor, known as the Virginia Beach Town Center. The new Town Center, along with record high gas prices in 2008, has now made many Virginia Beach residents that opposed the rail line have second thoughts on the plan. A renewed public interest in light rail has been stirred up as some that were opposed to rail see the viewpoint of proponents. A new referendum on light rail will not necessarily be needed in Virginia Beach due to the 10-year expiration of the previous referendum.
Since then, the City of Virginia Beach agreed to purchase the portion of the former Norfolk Southern Railway right-of-way within Virginia Beach from Norfolk Southern. This line extends from the Norfolk/Virginia Beach boundary (near the end of the light rail line in Norfolk), continuing almost due east through the Pembroke Town Center area to Birdneck Road, ending very near the waterfront area of the resort city. However, no firm plans (e.g. for LRT, Bus Rapid Transit, or other uses) have been announced for the purchased right-of-way.
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Wikipedia