Chesapeake and Hampton Roads Transit are eyeing potential high-capacity transit options in the city.

That could mean express buses or an extension of HRT’s Tide light rail line. 

Chesapeake officials said expanding public transit aligns with its plan for growth within the city, as well as better connecting Chesapeake with surrounding cities.

Now, they want to hear from city residents what they need from public transportation.

The city and agency are hosting three input sessions open to the public this month:

• Oct. 17: 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Hyatt Place in Greenbrier (709 Eden Way)
• Oct. 18: 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Robert Hall Transfer Station (Robert Hall Boulevard and Military Highway)
• Oct. 19: 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the South Norfolk Memorial Library (801 Poindexter Street)

The sessions are part of a year-long study that the city and HRT are doing to evaluate the city’s needs as it grows. 

Chesapeake recently surpassed Norfolk as the second most populous city in the state, and it’s been one of only two localities in the seven cities to see population growth since 2020.

William Harrell, HRT’s President and CEO, has said for years the agency would look at light rail extension into Chesapeake.

But previous efforts to expand the Tide have been stymied. 

The highest profile obstacle was a referendum in Virginia Beach, where voters blocked efforts to extend the light rail line to the Oceanfront in 2016.

The light rail currently runs through Norfolk from the Eastern Virginia Medical School campus out to the city line at Newtown Road.

HRT wants to expand the Tide within Norfolk, including a hook up to Military Circle as part of redevelopment plans that have also stalled.

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