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P a g e
priority and 20.1% rated expanding mass transit services such as light rail or bus routes as
their priority. Clearly, there is a demand for transportation other than private cars.
Currently there is limited public transit available in Chesapeake. The funding model used by
Hampton Roads Transit requires each city to pay for the services that are offered within its
boundaries. The City of Chesapeake has not invested in public transit to the same extent as
other communities in South Hampton Roads. The result is limited availability of public transit
services.
Research finds that older drivers use public transit more often. As an example, one in three
older non-drivers walk on a given day in denser areas, as compared to 1 in 14 in more spread-
out areas. More than half of older non-drivers use public transportation occasionally in denser
areas, as compared to 1 in 20 in more spread-out areas.
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The aging population also needs transit that accommodates their physical needs. As physical
mobility decreases, there is growing dependence on wheelchairs resulting in the need for
paratransit services to accommodate those with physical limitations. Currently, HRT only
provides its HandiRide services within ¾ mile of the HRT public transit routes. Senior Services
provides on-demand transportation on a limited basis for low income persons with disabilities
and seniors. In FY 2013, it provided just over 9,000 rides to persons with disabilities and/or
persons 60+ in Chesapeake. Guardian Angel Medical Transport provides non-medical
