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.
Take Care During Slippery Conditions
Please use extreme caution when entering and exiting the bus because the bus. If the bus stop or station is too slippery or inaccessible, find the nearest safe place to wait and to board the bus. Vehicles may not be able to pull up properly to the normal boarding area due to snow and ice blocking the curb, and you may need to board from the street.
During Snow Routes, the Pulse serves all stops but may switch from center stations to curbside pickup if the center lanes are icy.
How To Identify Stops Serviced By Snow Routes
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, the Bus Tracker, by text (22827) and via Twitter @GRTCtransit.
Snow Route Map
CARE and CARE On-Demand During Snow Routes
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 Microtransit During Snow Routes
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.