Top-Tier Support Advances Art, Mobility, and Community Opportunity

Pictured (from left): Brittany Totty, SVP, Towne Insurance; Teresa English, Senior Account Manager, Towne Insurance; and David Fols, Director, Bay Transit

Bay Transit, a division of Bay Aging, and the RAL Art Center are proud to recognize Towne Insurance as the $2,500 Masterpiece Sponsor, the highest sponsorship level for Art in Transit 2026, the region’s signature public art initiative that transforms a Bay Transit bus into a moving work of art.

As the program’s premier sponsor, Towne Insurance’s support plays a critical role in sustaining and expanding Art in Transit’s impact across Virginia’s Middle Peninsula and Northern Neck. Their investment directly supports artist recognition and cash awards, scholarships for Bay Transit and Bay Aging frontline employees and their families, transportation services for older adults and individuals with disabilities, and arts education and programming through the RAL Art Center.

“Masterpiece-level sponsorships like Towne Insurance’s make Art in Transit possible,” said David Fols, Bay Transit Director. “Their support goes beyond public art—it strengthens access to transportation, celebrates local creativity, and creates meaningful opportunities throughout our region.”

“As a relationship-driven organization, Towne Insurance believes in investing in initiatives that strengthen the communities we serve,” said Brittany Totty, SVP at Towne Insurance. “Art in Transit brings people together in a meaningful way—supporting local artists while helping ensure critical transportation and community services remain accessible.”

Presented in partnership with the RAL Art Center, Art in Transit blends creativity with community service by showcasing regional artwork on a Bay Transit bus for an entire year. The winning Art in Transit 2026 design will be unveiled at the Awards Reception & Bus Reveal on Friday, May 29, from 5–7 PM at the RAL Art Center.

About Art in Transit

Art in Transit is a collaborative initiative of Bay Transit and the RAL Art Center that celebrates regional artists while expanding access to transportation, arts engagement, and community services. The program turns public transit into a canvas for creativity and connection.

About Towne Insurance

Towne Insurance is a trusted provider of insurance and financial services, committed to building strong relationships and supporting the communities it serves. Through local partnerships and strategic investments, Towne Insurance strives to enrich the lives of the people in the communities in which we live and work.

Pictured above (from left): Rodney Hathaway, David Fols, Katharn Cotman-Washington, John Moyer, Ron Stiers, Amy Pearson, Amy Inman, Dina Cunningham, and Freddie Holliday.

Bay Aging, in partnership with New Kent County and the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT), has launched Bay Transit Microtransit in New Kent County, expanding affordable, on-demand transportation options for residents and visitors. The service officially began operating April 1 and was celebrated with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Tuesday, April 7.

Bay Transit Microtransit is a shared-ride, technology-enabled model that adapts to rider demand. Designed to improve flexibility, efficiency, and access, the service connects residential neighborhoods throughout New Kent and Quinton with employment, healthcare, shopping, dining, recreation, and community destinations across the county.

With fares set at just $1 per one-way trip, Bay Transit Microtransit offers a highly affordable transportation option in a county with limited ride-hailing services. The service is supported through grant funding from DRPT in partnership with New Kent County and is designed to expand as community needs, funding availability, and ridership demand grow.

The ribbon-cutting ceremony highlighted the collaboration among Bay Aging, New Kent County, and DRPT that made the service possible. Attendees included Bay Transit Director David Fols; Bay Transit Regional Supervisor Katharn Cotman-Washington; Bay Transit Operations

Specialist Dina Cunningham; New Kent County Administrator Rodney Hathaway; Board of Supervisors Chair Ronald “Ron” Stiers; Vice Chair John Moyer; Supervisor Amy Pearson; and Amy Inman, Director of the New Kent County Department of Transportation Development.

“What a welcomed service for New Kent County, especially for our aging community,” said Amy Pearson, District 3 Supervisor. “With little to no Uber or Lyft opportunities in New Kent County, this is a step in the right direction to bring transit to the county. This is an incredibly affordable option for our citizens to travel to the grocery store, doctor’s appointments, county events, and more. A big thank you to our Transportation Development Director, Amy Inman, and the Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT) for making this happen.”

“The Bay Transit Microtransit service in New Kent was thoughtfully designed to connect residents with some of the area’s most popular and essential destinations,” said David Fols, Bay Transit Director. “This includes healthcare facilities, community centers, parks, and key shopping and dining locations throughout the county.”

Service Hours, Booking, and Fare Information

Bay Transit Microtransit operates in New Kent County Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., offering shared-ride, on-demand service.

The fare for Bay Transit Microtransit is $1 per one-way trip, providing a reliable and affordable transportation option for riders.

Riders may schedule and pay for trips using the BT4U mobile app or by calling the Bay Transit New Kent office at 804-966-8743. Passengers who book by phone may pay the driver in exact change at the time of boarding.

The launch of Bay Transit Microtransit reflects Bay Transit’s continued commitment to delivering innovative transportation solutions that meet the evolving needs of the communities it serves.

Bay Transit, the public transportation division of Bay Aging, will launch its award-winning microtransit service, Bay Transit Express, in New Kent County beginning Wednesday, April 1, 2026. This modern, app-based shared-ride service will offer residents a flexible and efficient mobility option designed to increase access to essential destinations throughout the service area.

Bay Transit Express will operate Monday through Friday, from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, providing convenient on-demand rides anywhere within the designated microtransit zone. Each ride costs just $1 per person, offering an affordable transportation alternative for work, appointments, shopping, and more.

A service area map, available on the Bay Transit website, illustrates how the Bay Transit Express microtransit zone fits within the county’s larger demand-response service area, helping riders easily understand which parts of New Kent County are served by each option.

All Bay Transit Express vehicles are wheelchair-lift equipped and operated by Bay Transit’s team of professional, safety-focused drivers.

Using Bay Transit’s free BT4U app, riders can book trips directly from their smartphones and be picked up in as little as 30 minutes. Customers may pay through the app with a debit or credit card or pay cash with exact change upon boarding.

Customers who do not use smartphones, or those who prefer to book with assistance, may schedule rides by calling the local Bay Transit office at (804) 966-8743.

To download the BT4U app or learn more about Bay Transit Express’ New Kent service area, visit https://baytransit.org/new_kent_charles_city/.

Pictured (from left): David Fols, Bay Transit Director and Doug Mock, 2025 winning artist and design titled “Splish Splash.”

Bay Transit, a division of Bay Aging, and the RAL Art Center are proud to announce the official kickoff of Art in Transit 2026, the region’s signature annual art competition that transforms a Bay Transit bus into a moving work of art. Now entering its sixth year, Art in Transit continues to unite creativity, community, and mobility across the Northern Neck and Middle Peninsula.

Each year, artists submit original artwork for a judged competition, with the first place winner’s design professionally wrapped onto the side of a Bay Transit bus for the entire year—bringing color, imagination, and local talent to the streets and communities the bus serves.

“Art in Transit has become a joyful tradition that brings together artists, riders, community partners, and supporters for a shared celebration of creativity,” said David Fols, Transit Director at Bay Transit. “This program shines a light on regional talent while raising funds for scholarships, transportation services, and community arts programming that strengthens our entire region.”

Artists can now submit entries for the competition. Anyone 16 or older may submit up to two original pieces. The judges will award cash prizes to the top three artists. Enter by completing the form at www.RALArtCenter.com. Winning artists will be recognized at the Awards Reception & Bus Reveal on Friday, May 29, from 5–7 PM at the RAL Art Center.

“This competition uplifts artists of all experience levels while giving our community something vibrant and inspiring to enjoy year round,” said Stephanie Brown, Executive Director of the RAL Art Center. “We are excited to see the creativity that 2026 will bring.”

Community partners can support Art in Transit by choosing from five sponsorship levels that provide promotional visibility and recognition on the wrapped bus, event materials, and social media platforms. Sponsors fund awards for the top three artists, scholarships for Bay Transit and Bay Aging frontline employees and their families, Bay Transit’s New Freedom mobility program for older adults and individuals with disabilities, and RAL Art Center programs, including art classes for older adults. To receive full recognition on the bus and event materials, sponsors should confirm their participation by March 30, 2026. Additional event information and sponsorship packages are available at www.BayTransit.org/art-in-transit.

About Art in Transit

Art in Transit is a joint initiative of Bay Transit and the RAL Art Center. Since its launch, the program has highlighted regional artistry, expanded access to arts engagement, and strengthened community connection—turning everyday travel into a celebration of imagination.

Bay Transit Express Service Is Coming to the Town of Tappahannock

Replacing the Rivah Ride Deviated Fixed-Route Service on Dec 1

Bay Transit, the public transportation division of Bay Aging, will replace its deviated fixed-route bus service in the Town of Tappahannock, known as the “Rivah Ride,” with their award-winning ride hailing program, Bay Transit Express, beginning on Monday, December 1, 2025.  The original Bay Transit Express shared-ride service started in Gloucester County and very quickly surpassed the ridership of the previous deviated fixed-route services there.  A similar outcome is expected for the new microtransit service in Tappahannock.

The new Bay Transit Express – Rivah Ride will pick up riders and transport them safely and efficiently in a service zone that includes the Town of Tappahannock and portions of Essex County.  Bay Transit Express – Rivah Ride will operate Monday through Friday from 7 AM to 4 PM.  Rides throughout the service zone are only $1 per person.  All Bay Transit Express vehicles are wheelchair lift equipped and operated by Bay Transit’s professional drivers.

Using Bay Transit’s free BT4U app, customers securely and conveniently book trips straight from their smartphones and get picked up in minutes.  Customers pay through the BT4U app using a debit or credit card or in cash with exact change aboard the bus.

Bay Transit is holding two public training sessions on how to schedule a ride on Bay Transit Express using the BT4U app.  Sessions will be held at the Essex County Public Library on Tuesday, November 18 from 3:15 to 4:15 PM and Monday, November 24 from 1 to 2 PM.  All rides to the training sessions are free.

QR codes on the sides of Bay Transit Express buses direct users to download the free BT4U app.  Customers without smartphones, or those who need to book through an agent, can schedule rides on Bay Transit Express – Rivah Ride by calling the local Bay Transit office at (804) 250-2011.

King and Queen Service Update

Now Live

October 1, 2025

King & Queen County is pleased
To announce its own dedicated
Bay Transit Services In the county, M-F, 6AM-6PM

FREE RIDE OCTOBER for all
King & Queen Residents

To reserve your ride call
877-869-6046

Bay Transit Director, David Fols, congratulates artist Doug Mock for his first place win in RAL’s 2025 Art in Transit 5.0 competition.

Brenda Sylvia won second place with her piece, “Catching Joy.”

Bob Casazza won third place with his piece, “Into the Mystic.”

The Rappahannock Art League (RAL) Art Center and Bay Transit, the public transportation division of Bay Aging, proudly announced the winners of the 2025 Art in Transit competition during a lively awards ceremony held on May 30 at the RAL Art Center in Kilmarnock.
The evening’s highlight was the grand unveiling of the first-place winner’s artwork, beautifully wrapped on the side of a Bay Transit bus, ready to brighten the streets of Kilmarnock. This year’s competition drew a record-breaking 57 entries, showcasing extraordinary talent in a range of artistic media.
Doug Mock, an award-winning artist, teacher, and signature member of both the Virginia and the Southern Watercolor Societies, captured first place with his watercolor painting, “Splish Splash.” His piece vividly portrays two joyful children swimming in a lively, splash-filled composition. “Upbeat and people-centered, for me this captures the spirit of the place,” said one of the judges for the contest. “And with the perfection of the technique,” added another, “it’s a perfect first place.”
As part of his prize, Mock’s painting has been reproduced and displayed on a Bay Transit bus, in addition to receiving a $1,000 prize. Mock also successfully sold his original painting to a new collector at the event.

Second place and a $750 prize went to Brenda Sylvia for her acrylic painting “Catching Joy,” featuring a vibrant landscape of a lone kayaker proudly displaying a catch. “Bold in color choice and easy to read from a distance, the piece feels reflective and salutatory all at once,” a judge noted. “The colors make the piece pop,” another added. “Technically, they got all of the perspective correct – which is hard to do when you’re dealing with a landscape, a person, and a fish.”

Bob Casazza earned third place with “Into the Mystic,” an acrylic piece depicting a shorebird, sea turtle, and seagull at the water’s edge. “You really get a sense of their personalities,” said the judge. “Technically, it’s a really well-done painting,” agreed another judge.
Both Bay Transit and the RAL Art Center are non-profits, and proceeds from entry fees, art sales, and sponsorships directly support valuable community programs. Bay Transit’s proceeds fund a community college scholarship program for its frontline employees and the New Freedom

Bay Transit Express Microtransit Service Is Coming To West Point

 Bay Transit Express Will Replace the “Paper Trail” Deviated Fixed-Route Service on 12/2

 Bay Transit, the public transportation division of Bay Aging, will replace the deviated fixed-route bus service in the Town of West Point, known as the “Paper Trail”, with their award-winning Bay Transit Express ride hailing program beginning on Monday, December 2^nd, 2024.  The original Bay Transit Express shared ride service started in Gloucester County and very quickly eclipsed the ridership of the previous deviated fixed-route services there.  A similar outcome is expected for the new microtransit service in West Point.

The new Bay Transit Express in the Town of West Point will pick up riders when they want and transport them safely and efficiently in a service zone that includes the Town of West Point as well as portions of King & Queen County and Eltham.  Using the free Bay Transit 4U app, customers can securely and conveniently book trips straight from their smartphones and get picked up in minutes.  Bay Transit Express – West Point will operate Monday through Friday from 8 AM to 4 PM and rides throughout the service zone are only $1 per person.

Customers can pay using their debit or credit card securely stored on the Bay Transit 4U app or pay in cash with exact change aboard the bus.  All Bay Transit Express vehicles are wheelchair lift equipped and operated by Bay Transit’s professional drivers.  Customers without smartphones, or those who need to book through an agent, can schedule rides on Bay Transit Express – West Point by calling the local Bay Transit office at (804) 966-8743.

“Bay Transit Express was a game changer for us in Gloucester County and I fully expect the new service in West Point and King & Queen County to be just as successful,” said Bay Transit Director Ken Pollock. “The compact service zone will help to ensure customers wait for ten minutes or so after hailing their ride through the Bay Transit 4U app.  Coupled with expanding our service hours to 8 AM until 4 PM Monday through Friday, we anticipate both surges in ridership and customer satisfaction,” Pollock added.

“We even have QR codes on the sides of the bus and on Bay Transit Express promotional materials that link directly to the Apple App Store or Google Play, for those with Android phones, to conveniently download our free Bay Transit 4U app.”

Bay Transit is pleased to announce that Bay Transit Operations Specialist Dina Cunningham has been selected as one of sixteen transit professionals from across Virginia to participate in the inaugural year of the Virginia Transit Association’s Leadership Institute (VTLI). VTLI is a groundbreaking program aimed at fostering the next generation of public transportation leaders in Virginia. “I am very excited to have been selected as a VTLI fellow,” Ms. Cunningham said. “I am extremely proud to represent Bay Transit at VTLI and will work hard to learn as much as possible from this innovative program.”

VTLI is a program initiated by the Commonwealth’s transit systems and the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT), and is designed to engage, elevate, and cultivate emerging leaders in the public transportation sector. This nine-month comprehensive program is tailored to mid-level and future executives, providing them with a holistic understanding of transit from diverse perspectives across the Commonwealth.

Among the robust schedule of speakers is DRPT’s Director Jennifer DeBruhl, who will be speaking at the Bay Transit-hosted VTLI session in Gloucester on November 14th, 2023. Bay Transit’s Director Ken Pollock, GRTC’s CEO Sheryl Adams, Michael Baker International’s Vice President Lorna Parkins and Jarrett Walker’s Principal Associate Scudder Wagg will also be speaking at VTLI sessions. “We are incredibly excited to introduce the inaugural class of fellows for the Virginia Transit Leadership Institute,” said Danny Plaugher, Executive Director of VTA. “VTLI represents a significant milestone in the advancement of Virginia’s public transportation sector, providing a platform for emerging leaders to cultivate their skills, collaborate with industry experts, and drive innovation. We look forward to witnessing the positive impact these fellows will make on our state’s transit landscape and the communities we serve.”