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Bus riders urge Roanoke council to press county for Valley Metro expansion
Summary
A representative of Bus Riders of Roanoke asked council to advocate to Roanoke County supervisors for extending Valley Metro service into unserved neighborhoods (Hollins, Tanglewood, DMV, Tanglewood/Case/Ring Corners), citing cost burdens of car ownership.
Laura Hartman, representing the Bus Riders of Roanoke advocacy group, urged Roanoke City Council to press Roanoke County supervisors to expand Valley Metro bus service into areas not currently served by city routes.
"Buses are for everyone," Hartman said. She listed neighborhoods and destinations residents struggle to reach — Hollins, the DMV, Tanglewood and Case/Ring Corners — and asked council members, as local leaders, to raise the issue with county supervisors and the regional transit board. Hartman noted the Alliance/AAA estimate that owning and operating a car costs about $10,000 per year and said that many residents rely on transit to reach jobs and essential services.
Hartman asked council members to encourage county leaders to prioritize transit access and offered to provide talking points to officials. Council members responded with procedural suggestions for partnerships and outreach, including contacting the regional 2‑1‑1 information line, the HAT homeless assistance team and transit agencies to coordinate next steps.
The council did not take formal action during the meeting but acknowledged the public comment and the role of regional cooperation in extending service across municipal boundaries.
