When inclement winter weather impacts central Virginia, GRTC is a reliable, safe transportation option. However, when deteriorating travel conditions occur, GRTC will implement “Snow Routes.”
Snow routes avoid hazardous streets around the system that have historically proven to be challenging to navigate in inclement Winter weather. Buses will display an alert message on the electronic exterior signs, saying, “SNOW ROUTES IN EFFECT,” to notify customers immediately that buses are on snow routes. Snow routes generally follow high priority roads for plowing. Additional detours may also be necessary, as conditions warrant. Customers should expect delays as it is unlikely GRTC will be able to follow regular schedules.
Once buses go onto snow routes, they will remain on snow routes through the end of the transit day. If road conditions remain hazardous for buses, GRTC may choose to remain on snow routes for subsequent days until it is deemed safe to return to regular routing.
During Snow Routes, the Pulse serves all stops but may switch from center stations to curbside stops if the center lanes are icy.
Please disregard the snowflake blades on bus stop signs. The project to update and mark snow route stops in ongoing, and not all stops are correctly bladed. Instead, refer to the snow route map or contact Customer Service. The Customer Service Call Center (804-358-GRTC) assists riders with service impacts (normal hours). GRTC is staffed to provide frequent, real-time customer alerts through the GRTC Transit On The Go! mobile app, Bus Tracker at ridegrtc.com, by text (22827) and via Twitter @GRTCtransit.
CARE and CARE On-Demand services will operate but detours may also be necessary, as conditions warrant. CARE customers may need to meet the vehicle at a spot close to the pickup/drop off location if the vehicle cannot safely maneuver on the street/driveway/parking lot. Also, door-to-door service will not be performed if the sidewalk and walkway have not been cleared.
LINK services will operate on regular hours, but road conditions may require detours. Riders may need to meet the vehicle at a spot close to the pickup/drop off location if the vehicle cannot safely maneuver.