News
GRTC Reduces Service on Select Routes During COVID-19
April 17, 2020
Press Releases
For Immediate Release
April 17, 2020
For more information, contact:
CARRIE ROSE PACE – (804) 516-4148 – carrie.rosepace@ridegrtc.com
GRTC Reduces Service on Select Routes During COVID-19
Buses are redistributed onto other busy local routes to get more vehicles in service.
RICHMOND, Va. (April 17, 2020) – GRTC continues to modify transit services in response to ridership changes during COVID-19, reducing services with low ridership and redistributing those resources to busier local routes with passenger counts averaging greater than 20 people per bus. Re-deploying vehicles enables customers to better observe physical distancing guidelines on-board buses during the COVID-19 crisis.
Effective Sunday, April 26, 2020, the following schedule updates take effect.
Routes 4A Montrose / 4B Darbytown: AM/PM peak frequencies changed from every 15-minutes to every 30-minutes, resulting in 30-minute service all day. (4A Timetable PDF and 4B Timetable PDF)
Route 39 Fairmount/Oakwood: Service temporarily discontinued until further notice. Customers may use Route 12 to reach the Market @ 25th. Routes 7A/B Nine Mile also serve the market. (Timetable PDF)
Route 75 Three Chopt: Service temporarily discontinued until further notice. Customers may use Route 77 to connect between the West End and Willow Lawn. (Timetable PDF)
Route 78 Cary/Maymont: AM peak frequencies changed from every 30-minutes to every hour, resulting in hourly service until the PM peak. 30-minute service continues during PM peak. (Timetable PDF)
GRTC ridership on core local routes continues to be very high with passenger loads frequently exceeding 20 or 30 passengers per bus. Using the buses previously removed from express service operations, as well as these local bus resources, GRTC continues deploying additional buses on the 1A, 2A/B/C, 3B/C, and Pulse. Passengers may be asked to board a bus tailing the normal bus in service to provide better social distancing on-board.
GRTC Chief Executive Officer Julie Timm explains, “We had a successful transition last week with re-deploying express resources to local routes, and we know continuing this effort will encourage physical distance for our passengers needing to ride, as well as make better use of our staff and vehicles during COVID-19. Even though we are placing more local buses in service, we stress that customers should only ride for essential needs like getting to jobs, food or critical resources.”
Passengers are asked to leave a seat empty beside them and observe social distancing as much as possible while riding. Customers are also encouraged to follow CDC guidelines and wear face masks or coverings when in public. GRTC previously suspended fare collection March 19th and implemented rear door boarding, except for passengers needing Operator assistance at the front door.
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 $53.9M primarily funds daily mobility operations and vehicle maintenance. GRTC provides more than 9.25 million trips annually.