Strategic Plan
The Transportation District Commission of Hampton Roads (Hampton Roads Transit/HRT) is initiating a strategic planning process to outline its future direction. The strategic planning process will result in a guide that identifies our goals, actions needed to accomplish these goals, and a systematic monitoring program to measure our progress. We will engage stakeholders and the general public to help us (policy makers and HRT Staff) understand the agency’s future directions for the next 20 years and recommend time-sensitive objectives along that path. The Plan will build upon the learning experiences since October 1999 when Tidewater Regional Transit and Peninsula Transit merged to better serve the entire Hampton Roads region. This Plan will serve as the roadmap for the organization’s success as a provider of regional public transportation services with the overall goal of improving the quality of life in the region.
A. Goals for the Strategic Plan Public Involvement Plan (PIP)
Key to the Strategic Plan undertaking is open and deliberate communications with each of the “communities” involved or affected by HRT. The goal of the PIP is to result in a shared “living” vision for the agency as defined by each of these communities or audiences. This document will outline the method for satisfying that goal. It provides a description of activities for identifying and engaging stakeholders and the general public. A variety of opportunities and options for participation in the process are included.
B. Communities for Inclusion in the Planning Process
There is a wide range of communities or audiences that will be addressed in the development of the Strategic Plan and continued involvement as it guides the agency. Below is a listing that will be refined as the consultant works with the HRT staff:
Elected Officials (state, local)
Transportation officials (regional, state, local)
Planning Professionals (regional and local)
HRT Senior Staff (leadership)
HRT Operators/Mechanics
HRT Customer Service
Economic Development, Developers, and Realtors
Civic Groups, Chambers, and Social Service Agencies
Major Employers and Local Business (Owners)
General Public
Media
C. Strategic Plan Public Involvement Strategies - Stakeholder Activities
One-on-One Interviews
One-on-one interviews will be conducted early in the planning process to gather input on opinions of the current status of public transportation in the Hampton Roads region and opportunities and limitations on services today and in the future. These interviews will be conducted with key stakeholders who are typically difficult to engage in other activities. A consultant will be used for these as interviews of this type usually provide candid observations and insight into many issues when done in confidentiality. The interview questions were developed using the major issue areas that follow:
1. Awareness of HRT and the services provided
2. Opinions and perceptions about the agency and its services
3. Desired new directions for the agency
Focus Groups
The consultant, working with HRT staff, will conduct a series of focus groups following completion of the one-on-one interviews. We anticipate 13 focus groups distributed on both sides of the Peninsula with at least one focus group in each city serviced by HRT. The selection of individuals for participation in these focus groups will be made by HRT staff and the consultant. In these focus groups, an organized interactive process will be used to involve each member of the group. There will be an attempt to include individuals who are representative of varying backgrounds and opinions. In each group, there will be a focus on the future of the agency and agreement on the goals and activities leading to achievement of that desired future.
Public Meetings/Open Houses
We will have 6 open houses to discuss the strategic planning process; two will be scheduled following stakeholder interview and focus group sessions, two will be scheduled during the analysis and review of stakeholder input, and two will be scheduled when the draft of the plan has been completed. Each of these sessions will be conducted in an open house format with time provided for one-on-one discussions. Consultant and HRT staff will discuss the process. In the first four meetings, discussion will be based on the general issue categories listed below:
1. Background on HRT Services
2. Description of the Strategic Plan Process
3. Listing of Preliminary Issues Developed from Stakeholder Interviews and Focus Groups
The final two meetings will consist of a presentation of the completed plan itself as we prepare to finalize it and move towards implementation.
D. Current Status
HRT staff has recently reviewed the first draft of the plan and is currently working with our consultant team on the revision to address and include more issues that were identified as being critical to the plan’s success. Our current schedule should have the second draft completed by late July. The final draft completed by later October.
On-Line Survey
For our stakeholders that did not participate in the focus groups and public involvement process for the plan, we welcome your comments through an on-line survey. You can access the survey by clicking the following link; Online Survey. The topics addressed in the survey are also the same topics that were discussed in the focus groups and one-on-one interviews and all relate to making HRT a more balanced and responsive agency.
