VB Wave Trolley returns to the Oceanfront for its 40th year

Jane Alvarez-Wertz
·3 min read

VIRGNIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) – Here’s a sign that summertime is approaching. The Virginia Beach Wave trolley is back in business at the Oceanfront. Service resumed on Sunday, May 12.

This is the 40th year of operation for the Wave.

“HRT is making it easy to hop aboard, kick back, and let us do the driving at the Oceanfront this summer,” said William E. Harrell, President and CEO. “As we celebrate the 40th anniversary of this popular service, HRT stands ready to help visitors and residents explore all that the Resort City has to offer. Passengers can count on our friendly and knowledgeable staff to go the extra mile, providing more than just a ride from point A to point B. They often serve as tour guides, pointing out places to go, things to do and sights to see.”

The VB Wave accepts mobile ticketing, which you can purchase on the new Journey mobile app, at www.gohrt.com/mobile. Passengers can also purchase their trolley tickets in-person at these locations:

  • 9 Sunsations store locations along Atlantic Avenue at 5th Street, 9th Street, 12th Street, 14th Street, 19th Street, 23rd Street, 25th Street, 30th Street, 33rd Street, and on Virginia Beach Boulevard at 17th Street.

  • KOA Campground, 1240 General Booth Blvd.

  • Virginia Gift Shop, 702 Atlantic Ave.

If you want to hop on the trolley last minute, you will need exact change in cash. Click here for current fares.

To board, look for the blue VB Wave signs at 97 stops along these routes:

Route 30: Atlantic Avenue. This route takes passengers from one end of Atlantic Avenue to the other – from JT’s Grommet Island Park to 40th Street. Route 30 operates daily from May 12 through the Neptune Festival (ending Sept. 29), approximately every 15 minutes from 8 a.m.-2 a.m. Route 30 features 26 trolley stops.

Route 31: Aquarium and Campground. This trolley heads southbound from JT’s Grommet Island Park to the Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center, Ocean Breeze Water Park and the Holiday Trav-L-Park and KOA campgrounds along General Booth Boulevard. Route 31 operates daily from May 12 through Labor Day, about every 20 minutes from 9:30 a.m.-11:10 p.m., and then again from Sept. 6-Sept. 29 on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Route 31 has 13 stops.
Route 35: Bayfront. Route 35 provides service between Parks Avenue/19th Street and Shore Drive/Pleasure House Road. This route is VB Wave’s longest route, with 58 stops. It serves the Oceanfront along Pacific Avenue, First Landing State Park, Edgar Cayce’s A.R.E., Fort Story at Atlantic Avenue and 88th Street, North End beaches, Chesapeake Bay beaches and Bayfront restaurants on Shore Drive.  For this season, Hampton Roads Transit said Route 35 has shifted its alignment to encompass a portion of the former Route 34 while increasing frequency from an hour to every 30 minutes. Route 35 operates daily from May 12 through Labor Day, from 8 a.m. – 12:30 a.m. The service operates again from Sept. 6-Sept. 29 on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.

The VB Wave connects to HRT bus lines, including Route 20 service to downtown Norfolk.

For information about the VB Wave Trolley, including fares and maps, visit https://gohrt.com/modes/vb-wave-bayfront-shuttle/ 

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WAVY.com.