Virginia Breeze route expansion

The Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation is pleased to announce that its Virginia Breeze Bus Lines will expand with a fifth route, the Tidewater Current, its first East-West service. Connecting Harrisonburg and Virginia Beach, the Tidewater Current will offer convenient travel options for residents and visitors alike that will provide bi-directional service 365 days a year.

The route will include potential stops in various cities and towns such as Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Newport News, Williamsburg, New Kent, Richmond, Charlottesville and Harrisonburg.

This expansion demonstrates DRPT’s commitment to serving underserved and rural communities throughout the Commonwealth. Focused on customer satisfaction, Virginia Breeze aims to provide a comfortable and efficient travel experience. The estimated duration of a one-way trip on this route is approximately 6.5 hours.

Ticket pricing for the new route is yet to be determined. DRPT anticipates service starting in 2025.

The Tidewater Current is the fifth addition to the Virginia Breeze Bus Lines network, and the fourth route launched within the past five years. The original Valley Flyer route, introduced in December 2017, has been a resounding success with an impressive 82% farebox recovery, providing reliable transportation solutions to countless passengers.

Since its debut, the Virginia Breeze has generated nearly 220,000 rides and experienced significant ridership growth, increasing by over 10% from 2023 to 2024. Connected trips have surged by 53% in the same period, indicating more passengers are using the Virginia Breeze for out-of-state travel connections.

DRPT Director Jennifer DeBruhl said, “As I conclude my time as DRPT director, this route expansion is not just a project, but a legacy that I am proud to leave behind. I am grateful to have been a part of this journey from the beginning and to have helped connect underserved communities throughout the Commonwealth. Thank you to everyone who has supported the Virginia Breeze, and I look forward to seeing its continued success in the years to come.” 

For more information, please visit http://www.virginiabreeze.org.