The purpose of the HRT is to provide reliable and efficient transportation service and facilities to the Hampton Roads community.

The Transportation District Commission of Hampton Roads, HRT's governing body, consists of 13 members, one elected official and one citizen representative from each city served by Hampton Roads Transit, and the chairman of the Commonwealth Transportation Board (CTB), or a designee.

[5] Harrell went to Hampton Roads Transit from Chesapeake, Virginia, where he was the city manager since June 2007.

[6] Phillip A. Shucet was hired in February 2010 as an interim CEO to help complete construction of The Tide light rail while the company searches for a permanent replacement for long-time executive director Michael Townes.

Townes was pressured by the board of directors and ultimately agreed to step down after the revelation of a $100 million cost overrun and a one-year delay on Norfolk's light-rail starter line, which has been named "The Tide".

While he had not been directly involved in the earlier problem, a majority of the board members cited poor management and communication on his part in calling for him to step down.

[7] Hampton Roads Transit has approximately $30,000,000 dedicated revenue source from the Commonwealth of Virginia.

In May 2024, HRT received 32 new, low-floor model buses from GILLIG, partial fulfillment of an order of 51.

Hampton Roads Transit's Bus Fleet were originally decorated with all white buses with a two line blue & green wave from the system's former logo which is similar to math's approximate (≈) symbol.

Since 2012, several buses were repainted into the silver/blue wave style like the MAX brand with the agency's new stripe logo.

Newer buses for the 757 Express Service include a white background with sky-blue and navy-blue triangles connecting at the back.

It encourages citizens throughout Hampton Roads to use alternative forms of transportation that reduces use of single occupancy vehicles.

[17] Traffix oversees and promotes regional commuter initiatives, including carpooling and remote work, by reaching out to area employers.

The Ferry travels between North Landing and High Street in Portsmouth and downtown Norfolk at Waterside District and Harbor Park.

Route 31 Museum Express – (Daily, Memorial Day-Labor Day 9:30 AM until 11:10 PM, About every 15 minutes) Serves the Virginia Aquarium, Ocean Breeze Waterpark, Owl Creek Municipal Tennis Center, Holiday Trav-L-Park Campground, and KOA Campground.

[21] Former Route 32 Shoppers Express – (Daily, Memorial Day-Labor Day 10am-9pm, About every hour) Served the Shops at Hilltop, and ended at Lynnhaven Mall.

757 Express, formerly MAX, is an intercity bus service operated by Hampton Roads Transit.

[24] Primary construction began in early 2008, the first of nine train sets arrived on October 6, 2009,[25] and the Tide became fully operational on August 19, 2011.

Introduced in November 2022, Base Express is a free service serving the Naval Station Norfolk complex within two circulator routes.

The gold route serves the Naval Exchange bus stop and the inner portion of the base and it runs seven days a week with 30 minute frequencies.

[29] The Virginia Beach Extension Study was started in 2009 in an effort to bring a right-of-way rapid transit line to Virginia Beach using a former freight rail track, most likely to connect the current The Tide light rail from Newtown Road Station.

There has been opposition from the citizens of Virginia Beach about costs and using taxpayer money to construct and maintain the line, if built.