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Temporary Transfer Plaza

Temporary Transfer Plaza Diagram
Temporary Transfer Plaza diagram (PDF) - Updated September 12, 2021

Pursuit of a permanent transfer center continues as GRTC works with project partners, the City of Richmond, and other downtown stakeholders to navigate the complexities of site selection for a permanent downtown Richmond transportation hub. 

The Temporary Transfer Plaza opened in April 2014 and served as a reliable connection point while the City hosted two major bicycle events, 2014 USA Cycling Collegiate Road National Championship and the 2015 UCI World Road Cycling Championship. 

The Temporary Transfer Plaza:

  • Has bus bays curbside along 9th Street and Leigh Street
  • Offers benches, trashcans, information kiosks, and bus shelters.

Coming Soon in 2022:

GRTC prepares for Downtown Transfer Plaza Updates.
Several bus bays relocate to 9th, Clay, and 8th Streets in early 2022.


Soon GRTC will update the Downtown Transfer Plaza with new bus bay locations on 9th, Clay, and 8th Streets to accommodate nearby construction zones and preserve bus rider connections at night and on Sundays. Several bus stop shelters, benches, and trash cans will be relocated to new bay locations on Clay and 8th St., and wayfinding maps will be posted nearby for riders. New on-board announcements will explain the bay locations and routes serving them when buses approach the Plaza. GRTC expects the updates may be necessary as soon as February 2022.

Four bays will not change at all – A, B, C, and D. However, Bays E and F relocate to Clay and Bays G, H, and I will relocate to 8th St. Bus Stop #2522 at 9th and Marshall will become Bay J. Because of nearby construction, some pedestrian pathways may be closed. Riders should only use marked pedestrian crossings at the Plaza.

Downtown Transfer Plaza bay changes map

GRTC staff are installing new bus bay stop signs, posting new wayfinding materials, and coordinating with construction crews on relocation of shelters, benches, and trash cans in advance of sidewalk closures.

The Downtown Transfer Plaza opened in 2014 on 9th St. to ensure bus service could operate during major events on Broad St. in 2014 and 2015 and remained on 9th St. while efforts to secure a permanent transfer site continued. With the network redesign in 2018, the Downtown Transfer Plaza is now primarily used on Sundays and at nights when connecting buses have lower frequencies (longer waits between buses) and need well-timed connections for bus riders to transfer between 30-minute or hourly bus routes.

Another temporary update to the Downtown Transfer Plaza is expected later in 2022 when bays will move within the 8th St. surface parking lot between 8th and 9th Sts., and Leigh and Clay Sts., fully relocating bus bays from on-street to a designated lot out of the flow of general traffic. The City of Richmond and GRTC are collaborating on the updates in 2022 and continue joint efforts with other stakeholders to plan for a permanent Downtown Transfer Center in the future. 

Effective June 24, 2018:

Routes only go to the Temporary Transfer Plaza after 7PM and on Sundays.

Trip Tips:

  • You can transfer wherever it is convenient to do so.  You do not have to wait to transfer at the Temporary Transfer Plaza.
  • No Express routes service the Temporary Transfer Plaza.