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Hampton Roads Transit (HRT) and Innovations in Transportation Inc. (INIT) are preparing for Friday’s grand opening of The Tide, a new 7.4-mile light-rail transit system in Norfolk, Va.

HRT and INIT employees plan to join forces with local residents and businesses to volunteer as Tide “guides” to assist riders with safety tips, hand out train schedules and teach riders how to use ticket terminals, HRT officials said in a prepared statement.

HRT and Norfolk city officials will kick off ceremonial events Thursday as part of a four-day celebration to mark the system’s launch, which will open for revenue service on Aug. 22.

“The celebration is personal, not only because the light rail is in our backyard, but because our passenger counting technology onboard The Tide will assist HRT with accurate ridership data and help provide the most efficient service for them and their passengers,” said INIT Director of Business Development Andreas Rakebrandt.