News
GRTC Service Delays Occurring (Beginning Dec 6, 2020)
December 06, 2020
Press Releases
UPDATE 12/10/20: Although service delays are not as severe as earlier this week, GRTC continues to have some buses out of service while staff continue to quarantine and await test results. GRTC is hosting another on-site COVID testing event for staff today.
For Immediate Release
December 6, 2020
For more information, contact:
CARRIE ROSE PACE – (804) 516-4148 – carrie.rosepace@ridegrtc.com
GRTC Service Delays Occurring
Limited manpower while some staff are in quarantine from contact tracing.
RICHMOND, Va. (December 6, 2020) – GRTC cautions customers to expect significant service delays beginning today, December 6th for at least the next several days until COVID-19 test results return for employees in quarantine from contact tracing efforts. On Sunday, there were several routes with missed service in the morning, and more service is likely to be missed Sunday afternoon and evening. Customers making essential trips on GRTC are advised to secure alternate transportation to reach their destinations. The Customer Service Call Center is open until 5PM to assist customers with bus tracking (804-358-4782). If a customer is stranded at a bus stop this afternoon waiting for a bus that is not in service, they should call Customer Service 804-358-4782 to ask about GRTC Emergency Ride Home options from their bus stop.
GRTC Chief Executive Officer Julie Timm explains, “We continue to proactively quarantine any possible COVID-contacts for the safety of our staff and customers, but this means employees are removed from their duties and causes service delays to our customers. I know how frustrating it is to wait for a bus that never comes, and I ask our customers for understanding during this difficult time of rising cases in the community. We have not had any outbreaks yet among GRTC staff and we believe that is a testament to our aggressive COVID-safety protocols. The health and safety of our staff is critical to preserving reliable transit service, and this is why I believe it is essential for our transportation frontline staff to receive the COVID-19 vaccine in the first round, not the second round as tentatively planned.”
There are six GRTC employees currently on leave with COVID-19, five of whom are recovering at home. Contact tracing is underway for the most recent case, but the previous five cases were suspected to have been contracted off-duty from other family members or non-work community activities. As positive cases are identified, GRTC proactively notifies, quarantines, and tests for any possible contact. This process is in accordance with guidance provided by the Virginia Department of Health. The full list of confirmed staff and contractor cases is available online.
GRTC continues to host periodic on-site, free COVID-19 testing events for staff, including the next event on December 10th. For the most complete and latest GRTC updates during this pandemic, please visit our website.
GRTC is a public service corporation providing mobility services in the Greater Richmond area. GRTC’s current operational budget of $60.3M primarily funds daily mobility operations and vehicle maintenance. GRTC provides more than 9.25 million trips annually.