What:  Media conference on extended hours announced by Suffolk transit

When:  Monday, September 11 at 10:30 a.m.    

Where: Outside Suffolk Transit Hub on Main Street

Suffolk, Va. – Virginia Organizing will hold a media conference outside the Suffolk Transit Hub on Main Street on Monday, September 11 at 10:30 a.m. to thank Suffolk Transit and City Council for expanding bus service hours in response to the organization’s requests.

On November 9, 2019, the Suffolk Chapter of Virginia Organizing called for Suffolk Transit to upgrade their bus services for the residents of Suffolk. Suffolk Transit operating hours were 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Monday through Friday with no weekend service.

The leaders in the chapter surveyed around 400 bus riders on how to make Suffolk Transit better for the community. They then met with the Director of Public Works and spoke at City Council meetings on ways to make Suffolk transit better accommodate the residents of Suffolk.

City Council then agreed to invest $10 million in Suffolk Transit. They said they would spend $2 million every two years to improve the service. In 2021, City Council bought new buses, created new routes, and started running Suffolk Transit on the weekends.

This year, on September 1, 2023, Suffolk Transit extended the hours of several routes to run from 5 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Saturday.

Suffolk members of Virginia Organizing want to thank all of those who brought about this change. 

“Thanks, Public Works and City Council, for keeping your word,” said Vonita Williams, a leader in the chapter. “Now people in Suffolk can take advantage of the extended hours of Suffolk Transit. I know this is a move in the right direction.”

To interview a spokesperson for this event, contact Tony Jones at 757-660-6080 or tjones@virginia-organizing.org.