Here’s Why You Should Ride the Base Express
Norfolk, Virginia is home to the world’s largest naval complex, Naval Station Norfolk. Occupying more than 4,000 acres of land, the naval base has fourteen piers, is home to hundreds of ships and aircraft, and employs tens of thousands of military commuters to the installation every day.
Source: Hampton Roads Transit
Sailors, civilian employees, veterans, visitors, and Hampton Roads residents are all accustomed to seeing aircraft carriers, such as the USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78), MH-60S Seahawk helicopters, and other ships operating within the base’s vicinity, but did you also know there’s another mode of transportation at NAVSTA Norfolk?
The Base Express: What It Is
In partnership with Hampton Roads Transit and the U.S. Navy, the free Base Express began operating in December 2022, bringing public transportation back to the base for the first time in more than twenty years. This shuttle service helps transport personnel and visitors around the installation, ensuring a reliable and convenient transit option.
Base Express is financed by a three-year, $2.3 million grant from the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation and operated in partnership with Academy Express. This targeted service has significantly reduced traffic both inside and outside the gate, improved parking conditions throughout the installation, and improved the air quality for all.
Source: Hampton Roads Transit
The Base Express: How It Works
The two Base Express routes help you get around NAVSTA Norfolk. Starting at the Navy Exchange, the Gold Route provides last-mile service from outside the gate, as well as access to other HRT routes, shopping, and entertainment off base. The Blue Route operates exclusively, making it easier for sailors and civilian employees to get back and forth to work at the Piers and other locations throughout the base. Features include:
- Live-tracking: Base Express riders can track the shuttles directly online, without needing to call a customer service line (though they still can!). These real-time updates are helpful for riders to know if they’ve got time to grab a quick snack or need to head out to their bus stop sooner rather than later.
- Convenient locations: The Base Express gets riders to convenient locations on and off base. Whether they’re looking to connect to other HRT bus routes, get groceries at the commissary, or simply need to navigate to their work location at the Piers, the Base Express is the fastest and most convenient way to get around.
Riding the Base Express is just like any other bus. Simply stand at the stop, board the shuttle when it arrives, and pull the signal when you’re about a block away from your stop. In between boarding and getting off, you can sit back and enjoy your ride! You can even include it in your active transportation goals. Walking to and from stops or bringing your bike on board can help you live a healthier lifestyle while enjoying the convenience of the free Base Express service.
Source: Hampton Roads Transit
The Base Express: How It’s Going
During the first month in operation, the Base Express carried just over 1,100 passengers. Recent data shows ridership of the Base Express is now around4,000 – 5,000 passengers a month, which means that in just 18 months, the Base Express has carried nearly sixty-thousand riders. The increase in ridership has demonstrated the ability for public transit and the military to work together to bridge a gap in transportation, providing a valuable resource to Hampton Roads.
The Bottom Line
TARFFIX’s recently renovated office in building C-9 at Naval Station Norfolk provides information and answers questions about the Base Express. The office serves as a location to assist the region’s military installations in reducing traffic congestion and improving air quality.
The Base Express is a testament to what we can do when we work together to achieve this mission.