Bus route changes
GRTC is hosting a series of public meetings to discuss changes to several bus routes around town. Word is “changes” might actually mean “closures,” which could be especially detrimental to some Richmond residents who depend on the bus lines to get to work. The first one was last night, but they are also meeting on […]
GRTC is hosting a series of public meetings to discuss changes to several bus routes around town. Word is “changes” might actually mean “closures,” which could be especially detrimental to some Richmond residents who depend on the bus lines to get to work.
The first one was last night, but they are also meeting on October 28 and October 30.
Get the full announcement (PDF)
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Valerie Catrow
Valerie Catrow is editor of RVAFamily, mother to a mop-topped first grader, and always really excited to go to bed.
Notice: Comments that are not conducive to an interesting and thoughtful conversation may be removed at the editor’s discretion.
John posted some audio from a meeting with John Lewis from GRTC over on River District News. I hear that guy is sweet.
Bus routes to Innsbrook! Half the city (including myself unfortunately) works at Innsbrook. Maybe that makes too much sense.
Not all closures are neccesarily bad news. They are proposing cutting down the 13 stops(making the stops .25-1 miles apart) on E Broad so that people can actually park on Broad!
*necessarily*
I would be more excited if closures meant I could turn left on Broad. Ever.
i just want electric busses that are nice and quiet.
val. turning left. wisdom
The problem with closing bus routes, even those that are under-utilized, is that people will inevitably get left behind. There are some people for whom riding the bus is a lifestyle choice or a luxury – a way to save on gas or reduce their carbon footprint. However, there are others, working in the service industries, who rely on these bus routes as a life necessity. Low-income families, individuals with disabilities (physical or mental), etc. – these and more cannot do without the bus.
While I understand that GRTC is operating at a tremendous deficit, and that these proposed cuts are to lower-performing routes, I still firmly believe that cutting routes entirely should not be an option. I serve too many individuals who would stand to not only lose their jobs but their independence as well should these cuts take place. And that, I feel, is a far greater cost than savings.
Additionally, the proposal leaves some areas of town entirely without service. By cutting the Westhampton route, University of Richmond and its surrounding areas are severed entirely from GRTC.
What I’m saying is that there are other ways for GRTC to save its skin.
Current City leaders, namely the Mayor and City Council, made the decision to put art centers and convention centers before schools and mass transit. You need to hold them accountable as much as you can on Election Day.
Despite the economic collapse, citizens and GRTC can and should still dream:
http://www.greentechmedia.com/articles/next-stop-the-green-bus–1528.html
With the cost of fuel, I wonder how much GRTC has to fork over daily to keep everything running.
Probably not a whole lot. I heard buses run off of pure joy.
instead of those huge gas guzzlers hauling one person they should use smaller busses
I saw John Lewis speak at last week’s Green Mondays, and let me tell you that guy has his ducks in a row. He is fighting an uphill battle to fund GRTC so that he can implement a transit plan that will contribute to making Richmond a truly great city to live, work, or visit. He is thinking, planning, and searching for solutions, and I admire his competence and drive. He is one of the Good Guys.
GRTC quite literally lives day by day, don’t quote me but I believe they are using over 10,000 gallons of diesel per day (and yes, they have tried complementing with biodiesel but there are supply issues). They are looking at all options before they cut routes, but they are so underfunded that they simply have no other viable options.
If you love transit, ask your council and mayoral candidates where they stand on the Downtown Master Plan, funding of transit, and regional cooperation. Currently a significant portion of GRTC operating costs come from Richmond, most come from fares, a teensy bit comes from Henrico… nothing from Hanover or Chesterfield, where the transit ridership is increasing at the highest rates. Richmond would be greater if it could actually operate as Greater Richmond.
Check out the GRTC Comprehensive Operational Analysis.