Jessica's Rants

Change is in the air at HRT

2010-04-22T08:49:00.002-04:00

Yeah, I've been out of the loop for ages. I'm back and boy do I have a story!!

Bus Fare is being considered to head up to $2.00. This is going to buy service until 10 PM (I'm guessing 9:45 PM last trip from TCC) on routes 25, 27, and 36
Service is being changed on the 26 and 29
The 29 will no longer serve the Hospital (use bus stops on First Colonial Rd) and will terminate at Lynnhaven Mall
The 26 will be a loop: Start at TCC, head up Rosemont, over Bow Creek, to the Mall (transfer to the 29 here), and finally to Lillian-Vernon (Hawkeye Court). Return trip back to the Mall (transfer to the 29 here), and down Lynnhaven Pkwy to TCC
Chesapeake Riders: Route 13 is being split at Robert Hall. 13 will take Fuckie Grove to Robert Hall and Route 14 will take you from Robert Hall to TCC. Service until 10 PM!!!
Route 5 is being tweaked: from Willoughby: regular route to OV Station, then shoot down Tidewater Dr to Evelyn Butts & J
MAX: The 962 is going to stop at County & Court and head actually IN to Downtown Suffolk (speaking of which, those buses are getting a NEW Suffolk Bus Plaza). Downtown Norfolk riders can transfer to the #45 or the #90 Ferry in Portsmouth
Speaking of Portsmouth, since no one rides it, the Portsmouth Loop is being eliminated
Sources tell me that the idiots who manage Virginia Beach's budget finally got a noggin on the head: they were told to come up with the cost of running ALL Virginia Beach bus routes to the evening, 7 days a week

Now I wish I was at last night's TRAC meeting to learn more. Maybe next time

City of Virginia Beach: NO Night/Sunday Bus Service

2009-05-14T16:29:00.003-04:00

You heard that right: Virginia Beach said NO in a budget vote the other night.

This means:

Mayor Sessoms is going back on his campaign promise of running them after 7 PM
The City does NOT qualify for Federal funding for light rail because bus service isn't boosted by a minimum 20%

Sh*tty Grove

2009-05-13T02:43:00.004-04:00

So I hopped on the 2 yesterday to do some shopping in MacArthur (even though ODU has a shuttle, I'd rather ride HRT) and I couldn't believe my eyes. Some drunk took a sh*t against one of the trees in the parking lot (not the fence against Salter, but the parking lot beyond the orange barricades).

This was late in the evening as my brother Aaron and I were on the #2 leaving Cedar at 10:46 (we shopped, had dinner, then saw a movie).

Michael and Amy: I am sorry

2009-05-07T23:08:00.001-04:00

I am honestly sorry for acting like a rude jerk. I haven't posted in a while as I was thinking about what I've done.

Henry, I also ask you to please stop making fun of him as well.

Aaron's first OB/GYN informational session

2009-04-29T17:00:00.003-04:00

So my brother Aaron went to EVMS today to learn more about being an OB/GYN (yes, some women prefer male OB/GYN doctors - I'm one of them that prefers a male doctor).

Yes Aaron, it's a lot of work (see article on obgyn.net), but I'm with you all the way :) It's what you wanted to do since you first started learning about "Family Life" and it's still what you want to do.

Route 25's Asshole Driver

2009-04-29T16:51:00.003-04:00

So this morning I rode Route 25 (8:08 AM trip from military Circle) and what an asshole. Having used to live off of Princess Anne Rd, I used to catch it all the time.

So we arrived at Princess Anne & Capot where there were two passengers waiting across the street from a marked HRT sign and the driver insisted "this isn't a bus stop".

Uh, excuse me? Everyone knows there are hardly any "official" stops along Princess Anne Rd. At least the passengers waiting were across the street from a sign.

Hey A**hole, don't cuss the driver out

2009-04-26T11:57:00.003-04:00

I was on the #29 last night and someone cussed out the driver! Here's what happened:

The Oceanfront was a mess since it was nice out. Meaning that the Saturday #20 from 68th Street was screwed (not surprised - it's the stupid hotels who won't let the city do alternate one-way Atlantic/Pacific which would ease traffic big time).

So the passengers get on the 29 and start blaiming the driver calling her everything in the book and then some.

Drivers, you don't have to put up with nonsense like that. Contact Central Dispatch and they will be more than happy to send the City's Finest out to remove the offending passenger.

Amazon MP3 Downloads

2009-04-26T11:53:00.003-04:00

Ua, oops? I was purchasing songs from Amazon.com MP3 Downloads and this was in my bill. Yes, I did download The Door's Riders on the Storm but I never knew The Pet Shop Boys did it too

Riders On The Storm [MP3 Download], Price: $ 0.99
From the album Greatest Hits [1996]
By: Pet Shop Boys
Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.

I'm featured in Raising Moran!!!

2009-04-25T21:52:00.002-04:00

See it here!!!

You bet I'm excited since this will be my first time voting (I just missed the cutoff last year for the 2008 Presidential Election).

HRT Public Hearing

2009-04-24T19:59:00.006-04:00

Yeah, HRT will need to do a Public Hearing on the 960 and my brother and I intend to be there.

As posted earlier by me and in Avenging Archangel, Ideas for Hampton Roads Transit, and Light Rail in Hampton Roads, the 960 can be salvaged (by adding two simple stops) instead of converting it to rush hour only/weekday only service.

I've contacted my City Council Member on HRT's board. Waiting for a reply

MAX 960

2009-04-24T01:13:00.007-04:00

So, HRT wants to rid itself of the 960 during off peak hours. HELL NO! How does that encourage ridership?

Fixes that will cost nothing and will boost ridership:

Exiting 19th & Pacific, it should stay on 19th and make a stop at the Convention Center
OFF PEAK serve Town Center (and during peak hours, perhaps alternate trips serving Silverleaf vs. sering Town Center)*
Downtown Norfolk (including Cedar Grove)

* the grant stipulates that the 960 MUST stop at a park & ride

Saw this on my iGoogle

2009-04-23T22:40:00.003-04:00

I saw this on my iGoogle and I just have to share it.

Think back to Monica Lewinsky, then go have a read.

A Bit About Me

2009-04-23T22:27:00.000-04:00

Some things about me: My name is Jessica and I'm a very proud Democrat who can't wait for Brian Moran to be elected Governor. I'm 19 and live with my twin brother Aaron in a small house just off of ODU campus in Norfolk.

No, I don't have a boyfriend and I am not on the market so don't ask to go out with me because I don't want to.

Welcome

2009-04-23T20:51:00.002-04:00

My brother and I finally settled down and I finally have a computer with web access.

Now, I will blog my rants. Who am I? If you've read Avenging Archangel, I am the same Jessica Blaine.

I live with my twin brother and we attend ODU together and we just love our ODU passes. It lets us ride HRT buses whenever and wherever we want to go.

I intend to use this blog to rant and rave about things in general. Enjoy :)