Why Now is the Best Time to Try Transit
Are high gas prices making it harder to manage your budget? This could be a great time to try Hampton Roads Transit (HRT).
While fuel costs keep rising – the national average is now above $4.50 per gallon, according to AAA – HRT fares are still just $2 per trip. This applies to every mode, every day – excluding Paratransit.
When oil prices spiked this spring, gas prices followed, forcing drivers to dig deep in their pockets to fill up their tanks. Dr. Bob McNab, Economics Department Chair at Old Dominion University, said back in January that a majority of the region is already “just breaking even.” Now, because of the U.S. war with Iran, McNab says, it’s “even worse.” He predicts gas prices will “increase significantly” in the coming weeks.
“We’ll likely see average gasoline prices top $5 a gallon by early summer,” McNab tells us. “If the war with Iran continues and the Strait of Hormuz remains closed, prices could approach $6 a gallon.”
Comparing Commuter Costs
The cost of gas for a 20-mile round-trip commute – typical in Hampton Roads – is about $150 per month, compared to the cost of a monthly transit pass, which is $70. And with its new GoMobile program, HRT is making it easier for riders to save through its fare-capping feature.
Instead of needing $70 upfront for a monthly pass, riders pay their $2 fare as they go. Once they spend $4.50 in a day, rides for the rest of the day are free. Once they hit $70 in a month, rides for the rest of the month are free. This perk ensures those who can’t afford the upfront cost of a monthly pass never pay more than the cost of the pass.
Make Your Fare Go Farther
You may be curious about how far $2 can take you. With the new Route 981, you can ride from the Downtown Norfolk Transit Center (DNTC) to the Amazon Fulfillment Center (ORF4) near Dam Neck Road in Virginia Beach. Route 961 goes from DNTC to the shipyards in downtown Newport News. If you are in Chesapeake, Hampton or Newport News, HRT’s OnDemand ridesharing service is also just $2 per ride.
HRT increased fares from $1.75 to $2.00 in 2017 and has kept the same rates since then. Some regional routes became even cheaper in 2023. Any bus, light rail, ferry, VB Wave trolley, or OnDemand ride costs $2 each way. You can also get an all-day pass for $4.50 — about the same as a gallon of gas.
William E. Harrell, HRT’s President and CEO says, “HRT remains committed to providing affordable public transit options. By keeping our fare at $2 and implementing fare-capping with GoMobile, we ensure the cost of your commute never stands in the way of opportunity.”
Seniors aged 65 and older, Medicare cardholders, and the disabled are eligible to ride at a discounted rate of $1 per ride or $2.25 for an all-day pass. Children 17 and under always ride free with a fare-paying adult. And students aged 13 to 17 can ride free with the Student Freedom pass.
Making the Switch to Transit
A May University of Michigan Survey of Consumers shows consumer sentiment at a record low. People are struggling to maintain their standard of living. About one-third of those surveyed cited rising gas prices, which “are here to stay,” McNab says.
Choosing public transit is about more than personal savings — it’s an investment in the future of Hampton Roads. When you take the bus, light rail, ferry, or OnDemand, you aren’t just a passenger; you play an important role in ensuring everyone in the community has a reliable way to get where they need to go. A robust transit system is the backbone of the region’s economy, and every passenger is an advocate for a more accessible, reliable, safe, efficient, and sustainable public transit system.
Now is the perfect time to make the switch. Whether you’re looking to dodge high gas prices, avoid the rising cost of tolls, or simply enjoy a more relaxed commute, Hampton Roads Transit is ready to get you there.
Start your journey at www.gohrt.com.
