LYNCBURG, Va. – The Commonwealth can say it has its first 'Hopper Bus.' The city of Lynchburg unveiled it's new transit option Wednesday.
It's called "The Hopper," Lynchburg's new way of transportation in the Hill City. Lynchburg already has transportation services through the area, but what's different about this particular bus?
"For the city, it will mean one less car on the road. One car at a time, over and over again. For the community it means another option in a lifestyle where more choices mean downtown becomes an even more desirable place," said Gary Christie, executive director of Region 2000.
People can hop "The Hopper," ride through downtown, and get dropped off at their destinations, free of charge.
"This new, brand new state of the art bus it is a cost effective way to improve visitor and resident access to our downtown businesses," Mayor Joan Foster said.
The Greater Lynchburg Transit Company spearheaded this new change.
"It is exciting that even before we have launched the service today, we already have interest expressed in extended hours, more service. So it's really exciting to know that the citizens in downtown (are) wanting more for something we haven't even started yet," said Brian Booth, general manager for GLTC.
With the support of Virginia's governor, officials say the service cost close to half a million dollars. The Hopper is the first project of the state's program called Smart Scale. Its purpose is to help improve mobility and accessibility for Virginians.
"The reason why we're here today, the reason why we have Smart Scale, to put it bluntly there was too much politics in transportation," Gov Terry McAuliffe said. "Roads were given to people depending on who the governor was, and who had powerful delegations in the General Assembly. That is not how you build a 21st Century economy."
Transit officials and the governor hope other cities will follow suit.
Service for the bus will run throughout downtown from 10:50 a.m. to 1:50 p.m. Monday to Friday and from 6:50 a.m. to 2:30 p.m on Saturdays.
The new routes will have frequent loops on Church, Main, Commerce, and Jefferson streets.