For Immediate Release
March 17, 2020
For more information, contact:
CARRIE ROSE PACE – (804) 516-4148 – carrie.rosepace@ridegrtc.com

GRTC Monitors COVID-19 Case Related to a Relative of GRTC Employee 
GRTC employee not showing symptoms; No potential exposure to other GRTC staff or riders.

RICHMOND, Va. (March 17, 2020) – GRTC was notified today of a confirmed COVID-19 case associated with a relative of a GRTC employee. The GRTC employee has not been diagnosed with COVID-19 and is not showing symptoms. The employee was on leave during the entire period of potential exposure to present.  The employee was immediately placed on 14-day paid sick leave, and there is no possibility that the employee carried the virus to other GRTC staff, riders, facilities, or vehicles. This is the first known employee-related case of the COVID-19 coronavirus disease. 

GRTC Chief Executive Officer Julie Timm says, “In continuing service during this state of emergency, our first consideration is the safety, health, and financial well-being of our employees and their families. We are in close communication with all our staff, and any employee who has suspected or confirmed contact with COVID-19 will be placed on leave for up to 14 days.”

GRTC provides lifeline employment and health connections for many of our riders and is the primary source of income for nearly 500 GRTC employees.  We take our obligation to provide that service very seriously.  GRTC is closely monitoring updates on the COVID-19 virus spread in Virginia so that we may continue to take all reasonable precautions to address the risk and to maintain core service for the critical mobility and economic needs of our community. Timm states, “I maintain a high level of confidence in the safety of our service for our employees and our riders; however we are asking all riders to assist in protecting our service by eliminating all non-essential trips and following all recommended health precautions and social distancing.” 

Our frontline staff, including Operators, Supervisors, Cleaners, and Mechanics, are taking every reasonable precaution to protect themselves and each other while serving the public. GRTC has increased the frequency of cleanings on vehicles which carry the highest number of vulnerable passengers and passengers in very close contact. GRTC and RideFinders offices are closed to the public. All GRTC public meetings are canceled.  We are assessing the impacts of service reductions and fare elimination as potential next steps.  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. More than 9.25 million customers use GRTC’s services annually, and ridership is growing.