FORT EUSTIS, Va. –
Joint basing and the impending move of the U.S. Training and Doctrine Command, Installation Management Command and other activities to Fort Eustis bring with them more than 2,500 additional personnel to the installation by this summer, and more people means more vehicles and heavier traffic. Looking to the future, the 733d Mission Support Group Logistics Readiness Division and Hampton Roads Transit are working to head off impending traffic problems. One of the solutions under consideration is the implementation of an HRT Metro Area Express route for members of the Fort Eustis and surrounding communities.
Still in the planning stages, the Fort Eustis HRT MAX would provide an eco-friendly, convenient and less stressful solution for commuters from surrounding peninsula communities to the installation.
"We looked at road congestion issues and what we could do to offer a solution and have looked at the HRT Express," said LRD director Jerry Twigg. "We would like to see this thing get started up."
To measure whether the MAX is a viable idea for the community, Eustis residents, active-duty members, and civilians are encouraged to take a survey that will help LRD and HRT determine the needs of the community.
"Right now we're encouraging people to take the survey and based on the results, we can determine the times of routes and the size and number of buses needed," said Mr. Twigg.
HRT currently offers point-to-point service from the peninsula to Norfolk Naval Base and Mr. Twigg says that initiative has been a success and he'd like to use that model to address the congestion issues at Eustis.
"The HRT Express Max bus used in Norfolk to support the Navy base is a success over there and we hope to get this thing going here," said Mr. Twigg.
Once the survey results have been reviewed and enough interest is garnered to implement a route, several Park n' Ride points will be established in the Eustis commuting area. Possible Park n' Ride locations include Patrick Henry Mall and Coliseum Crossing.
Once implemented, buses would run on the half-hour from established Park n' Ride locations to a centralized location on Eustis. Transportation to other points on the installation such as 3rd Port and Felker Army Air Field from the centralized drop-off/pick-up point is currently under review.
All MAX buses are Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant and WiFi-enabled to meet the needs and comfort of commuters. The buses will also have bike racks for cyclers.
With the availability of routes and number of buses and locations determined, the next issue to address is cost.
The cost of the commute depends on the rider. Passes are available for a one-time use and at a daily, weekly or monthly rate. However, military and Department of the Army civilian personnel using the MAX buses may be eligible for reimbursement of commuting costs under the Mass Transportation Benefit Program. Under the MTBP, eligible federal employees receive reimbursement of up to $230 per month for transportation costs. Parking fees and tolls are not reimbursable expenses.
To qualify, users must be active-duty military, activated Guard and Reserve members, Department of the Army civilian personnel to include non-appropriated fund personnel and interns and part-time employees. Qualified modes of public transportation include commuter buses, trains or light rail systems, ferries and van pools.
More information about the MTBP is available online at http://asafm.army.mil/offices/asa/masstrans.
Fort Eustis commuters and residents are encouraged to take the survey available from the Eustis homepage at www.eustis.army.mil, click "Traffic Survey" on the upper left-hand side or at www.surveymonkey.com/s/T9VLD22.
Another option under consideration is the implementation of a van pool also run by HRT. Like the MAX, the van pool program would be established based on survey results; costs are also covered by the government voucher program.
Whether the MAX or the van pool program are implemented is up to the needs of the Fort Eustis community and its commuters.
"We're hoping that once we get this thing going, people will continue to take the survey and with increased interest and ridership, we can add more buses and routes and meet the needs of the riders and the community," said Mr. Twigg.