HAMPTON — Hampton Roads Transit is inviting the public to State of Transit, a free biennial event on Oct. 21 exploring the benefits of public transportation for jobs and employment, economic development and regional competitiveness.
According to organizers, this year’s theme, “Sustaining the Future of Transit,” will focus on how to build reliable, resilient and people-first transit systems for the next decade and beyond.
The event will bring together leaders of the region’s three transit agencies, legislators from across the area and business representatives. The keynote speaker will be Paul P. Skoutelas, President and CEO of the American Public Transportation Association.
According to HRT, transit agencies across Virginia and the region face significant financial challenges following the COVID-19 pandemic. While slowly growing, ridership is still not quite at pre-pandemic levels, given shifting commuting habits. At the same time, state and federal funding is stagnant or even decreasing, while operating and capital costs are rising faster than new funding sources are becoming available.
Transit leaders addressing those and other issues will include William E. Harrell, President & CEO of Hampton Roads Transit; Matthew Scalia, Executive Director of Williamsburg Area Transit Authority; and Maria Ptakowski, Transit Manager for the City of Suffolk, representing Suffolk Transit.
Legislators scheduled to speak are state Del. Jackie Hope Glass (93rd District); state Del. Alex Q. Askew (95th District) and a member of HRT’s Transportation District Commission; and state Sen. J.D. “Danny” Diggs (24th District), also a member of HRT’s commission.
State of Transit will be held Oct. 21 from 8:30-11 a.m. at the Hampton Convention Center. A continental breakfast will be served starting at 8:30, and the program will begin at 9.
The event is presented by goCommute, a program celebrating 30 years of promoting alternatives to driving alone, including carpooling, vanpooling, public transit, teleworking, and active transportation like walking and biking.
For event details and to register, visit gohrt.com/state-of-transit.
