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Growth and Expansion
5 Year Outlook on GRTC and Regional Transit Growth
Existing GRTC System
GRTC currently operates local fixed route, express routes, Pulse BRT, CARE specialized transportation, CARE +, CARE On-Demand, LINK On-Demand Microtransit (Coming Soon), Vanpool (RideFinders).
Several studies underway: N/S BRT, BRT Western Extension, Facilities Master Plan, Zero Emission Vehicle, 23rd Franklin Neighborhood Transfer Station, Downtown Permanent Transfer Station, Pulse Station Modifications, Articulated Buses, Dedicated Lane Study, Transit Strategic Plan, and Microtransit.
Articulated Buses and Pulse Station Modifications (2024)
In response to demand/capacity limitations on the Pulse, GRTC secured grants from the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT) and the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) SMART SCALE to purchase 60’ articulated buses to carry greater loads.
All 26 Pulse stations will need minor modifications to accommodate these longer vehicles. Engineering for the modifications will be complete in summer 2023, followed by construction. GRTC will dedicate two (2) of the articulated vehicles to the Pulse, and two (2) to fixed route. GRTC will continue to replace vehicles beyond their useful life with articulated vehicles on the Pulse.
North-South BRT Line
Various regional studies have identified a need for a North-South BRT line to connect to and complement the existing Pulse. The Regional Public Transportation Plan outlined the long-term vision for high-capacity transit, examining north-south options for high-capacity transit. The Greater Washington Partnership’s (GWP) Connecting the Richmond Region: From East-West to North-South study specifically identified the need to connect Richmond’s east-west BRT backbone to a north-south equivalent. In doing this, the latter plan highlighted four corridors: Route 1 North, Midlothian Turnpike, Hull Street Road, and Route 1 South. These routes were selected for good reason as they, along with Broad Street, serve as the region’s primary connective tissue between the City of Richmond and its neighboring counties of Chesterfield and Henrico. GRTC’s North-South BRT Study will identify the first portion of a North-South BRT line to be built and represents the first step toward construction of North-South BRT.
Phase 1 study will be complete by end of Summer. Stakeholder Advisory and Technical Advisory Meeting set for later this week of 24th. The study has narrowed down to 9 alternatives (1 option for north, 3 for how to cross the river, and 3 for southside).
Addition of Malvern Pulse Station (2026)
Funding has been awarded to add Malvern BRT Station with engineering beginning in FY2025. This will add a dedicated lane and an additional station on Broad Street near Malvern Avenue. This is funded through the SMART SCALE grant application applied for by the City of Richmond through the Richmond Region Transportation Planning Organization (RRTPO).
Photo of The Ella Scott’s Addition | Apartments in Richmond, VA with GRTC Pulse Bus. (2022). The Ella Scott’s Addition. Retrieved 2023, from https://g5-assets-cld-res.cloudinary.com/image/upload/q_auto,f_auto,c_fill,g_center,h_667,w_1000/v1650574547/g5/g5-c-5u5jo4jla-steelhead-management/g5-cl-1mdjjjfm4q-steelhead-management-richmond-va/uploads/SH_Ella_Exterior1_0001-11x8_y6hnr1.jpg.
Western Pulse Extension
As Henrico County continues to experience growth and redevelopment along the Broad Street corridor, there is increasing interest in a Pulse BRT extension westward from its current western terminus at Willow Lawn. The 2017 Greater RVA Transit Vision Plan (TVP) identified an extension of the Pulse to Short Pump as a logical extension to pursue based on ridership projections and the transit-supportive characteristics of the corridor. GRTC worked with PlanRVA to identify a logical first segment to extend service westward along Broad Street. The results of the study identified Parham as the next end of the line.
Phase 2 study is planned to kick off in FY2024.
BRT Benefit Areas (i.e., Equity, Low Vehicle Ownership, High Transit Use) was one metric that the May 2023 analysis used to recommend that the Pulse BRT extend to Parham Road in its initial extension.
Microtransit
GRTC will be launching Link, on-demand microtransit in Fall 2023. A phased implementation of a total of five (5) pilot zones are planned to be in place by June 2024. The five (5) zones are Washington Park/Azalea Ave, Ashland, North Chesterfield West, Powhatan, and Sandston/New Kent. GRTC has been awarded funding through DRPT TRIP Regional Significance for three (3) zones (Washington Park/Azalea Ave, North Chesterfield West, and Sandston/New Kent) and DRPT MERIT Demonstration funds for two (2) zones (Ashland and Sandston/New Kent).
Fleet Storage Facility
GRTC Facilities Master Plan has been underway since May. The plan has focused on the current needs of the facility, and the future needs based on the planned growth related to vehicle and service expansion. The plan includes conceptual designs for 325 E. Belt Blvd, which was acquired for fleet storage needs. GRTC is currently working on a remediation plan and demo plan for 325 E. Belt Blvd, which will lead to remediation and demo in 2024. GRTC plans to expand the parking footprint once the building is removed.
GRTC plans to move forward with engineering and construction for a structure on the property incorporated into the storage facility needs. Conceptual designs from the facilities master plan will include options for expanded administrative space, as well as a Southside Neighborhood Transfer Center.
Shelters and Benches (Essential Transit Infrastructure)
Essential Transit Infrastructure is intended to provide comfort, convenience, accessibility, safety, and dignity to riders. In 2022, GRTC committed to a goal of having a bench or shelter at 75% of its bus stops within five years as part of the Essential Transit Infrastructure Plan. This will necessitate installing hundreds of benches, shelters, trash cans, and new ADA-compliant landing pads throughout the region.
GRTC has been awarded over 5 million dollars to get this project underway in FY2024 and will be applying for additional grants and coordinating with jurisdictions. The estimated need is greater than $20 million.
Aspirational Rubric to Determine Shelter and Bench Eligibility
Temporary Downtown Transfer Station
The station is located in the old city courts/city parking lot at 808 E. Clay Street. It includes 12 bus bays in a sawtooth configuration and 2 concrete passenger islands holding shelters, trashcans, and benches. At completion, the site will contain wayfinding e-signs, improved lighting, supervisor parking, and operator restrooms. Several route adjustments will occur to better serve the transfer station throughout the service day for approximately 6,000 bus patrons each day.
Operator Restrooms
E-signs at each bay will show arrival times for their respective bays and service alerts across the entire transit system. These will be connected to a cellular network and powered by solar panels. In addition, two larger kiosks displaying information for all routes that service the Downtown Transfer Station will be on each passenger island.
Two Real-Time Kiosks on Each Passenger Island
Neighborhood and Downtown Transfer Stations
23rd and Franklin - East End Transfer Facility (2024)
Permanent Downtown Transfer Station (2026)
Southside (2027)
Willow Lawn Park and Ride (2027)
Northside Transfer Facility (2028)
23rd and Franklin - East End Transfer Station
23rd and Franklin/Main and 25th operate as consolidated local Pulse stop, however, safety, accessibility, and lack of infrastructure are a huge concern for the stop. Riders have to get off at 24th Street for the Eastbound Pulse and cross four lanes of traffic on a non-protected cross walk to then walk up the hill on Franklin which is very steep. 5 (five) routes make connections at this point with the Pulse or each other.
A study is under way and is planned to be complete in September 2023 identifying improvements for the transfer area to include pedestrian safety improvements, and a location that will allow for benches and shelters.
Permanent Downtown Transfer Station
In 2020, City Council requested City of Richmond Staff work with GRTC to find a permanent location for a permanent transfer station. The strategy was to develop an ad hoc committee that included city, businesses, and community. The first of the meetings was held in November 2020 and produced the below focus. The area referenced in the survey questions is in blue in the image to the right. The background image is the results of a 2011 study, where the conclusion was that GRTC was not the best use of a parcel based on lack of community support.
Efforts with the ad hoc committee were put on delay when GRTC was told they had to evacuate their temporary right of way location adjacent to the public safety building on the 9th street due the City selling the property. The City worked with GRTC to get a temporary solution on 8th and Clay, with a 5 year lease and 3.2M investment.
As the City is working to implement their City Center Redevelopment Plan it as an opportune time to continue the discussion. Transit Oriented Development is key to success to many revitalized cities, and there is infrastructure funding from the federal level available for improvements.
The success from the Pulse with the metric of property values within quarter mile of the Pulse have really changed the downtown area.
5-Year Growth and Expansion Outlook
Projected Costs - 5 Year Capital Plan
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Expansion
1/1A Extension - in FY24 GRTC will be expanding Fixed Route service to Chesterfield Towne Center/WalMart Way on Midlothian Turnpike and North on Brook to Parham/Reynolds.
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