Downtown Transfer Station

Downtown Transfer Station Now Open

GRTC's first off-street home for transit is now live! the Downtown Transfer Station opened to passengers in September of 2023, launching a new era of passenger amenities for Richmond Region transit riders. With real-time destination boards, powered shelters, public wifi, and a variety of seating options, it has never been easier or more comfortable to catch your GRTC bus. At this time, the study page is no longer being updated - please consult Routes and Schedules for more information.

Opening Spring 2023

GRTC has begun construction on a new Downtown Transfer Station (DTS) that will make bus transfers easier.

The new Downtown Transfer Station is being built on a parking lot at 8th and Clay streets to replace the current on-street transfer area along 9th Street between Marshall and Leigh Streets. It will accommodate 12 bus bays in a saw-tooth design for more efficient arrivals and departures of up to 10 standard buses and two articulated buses at a time.

GRTC worked with the City of Richmond’s Office of Equitable Transit and Mobility to secure a new transfer area as the pending redevelopment of the Public Safety Building will require GRTC to vacate the current transfer area. GRTC and the City were able to take advantage of this opportunity to develop a new station that greatly enhanced safety and convenience for riders.

Though the new Downtown Transfer Station is expected to be used for several years, GRTC continues to work with project partners, the City of Richmond, and other downtown stakeholders to secure a site for a permanent transportation hub in downtown Richmond.

A combination of federal, state, and local dollars will fund the new $2.2 million project. Construction will be completed in spring 2023. The southern gated portion of the lot is excluded from the project and will remain in use during construction.

Planned Service Changes

Planned bay assignments effective mid-June 2023. Many routes will be adjusted to serve the Downtown Transfer Station at all times. Routes will serve the Temporary Transfer Plaza on 9th Street between Marshall and Leigh Streets until opening. There will be no service at the Temporary Transfer Plaza once the new transfer site opens.

1 (Chamberlayne/Downtown) – End of line changes from the Temporary Transfer Plaza to the Downtown Transfer Station in mid-June. Continues to serve the Temporary Transfer Plaza until opening.
1A (Hull/Midlothian via Southside Plaza) – End of line changes from the Temporary Transfer Plaza to the Downtown Transfer Station in mid-June. Continues to serve the Temporary Transfer Plaza until opening.
1B (Hull/Warwick via Southside Plaza) – End of line changes from the Temporary Transfer Plaza to the Downtown Transfer Station in mid-June. Continues to serve the Temporary Transfer Plaza until opening.
1C (Hull/Elkhardt via Southside Plaza) – End of line changes from the Temporary Transfer Plaza to the Downtown Transfer Station in mid-June. Continues to serve the Temporary Transfer Plaza until opening.
2A (North Ave/Forest Hill) – Realigned to always serve the Downtown Transfer Station in both directions in mid-June. Always serves the Temporary Transfer Plaza until opening.
2B (North Ave/Jahnke/Midlothian) – Realigned to always serve the Downtown Transfer Station in both directions in mid-June. Always serves the Temporary Transfer Plaza until opening.
2C (North Ave/Midlothian/Belt Blvd) – Realigned to always serve the Downtown Transfer Station in both directions in mid-June. Always serves the Temporary Transfer Plaza until opening.
3C (Highland Park/Harwood/U.S. 1) – Realigned to serve the Downtown Transfer Station Monday–Saturday in the evening and all-day Sunday beginning in mid-June. Continues to serve the Temporary Transfer Plaza until opening.
5 (Cary/Main/Whitcomb) – Realigned to always serve the Downtown Transfer Station in both directions in mid-June. Always serves the Temporary Transfer Plaza until opening.
7A (Nine Mile/Airport) – End of line changes from the Temporary Transfer Plaza to the Downtown Transfer Station via 9^th Street in mid-June. Continues to serve the Temporary Transfer Plaza until opening. No service via 7^th Street.
7B (Nine Mile/Laburnum/Airport) – End of line changes from the Temporary Transfer Plaza to the Downtown Transfer Station via 9^th Street in mid-June. Continues to serve the Temporary Transfer Plaza until opening. No service via 7^thStreet.
12 (Church Hill) – Daytime service Monday–Saturday via Broad and 2^nd Street discontinued. End of line changes from the Temporary Transfer Plaza to the Downtown Transfer Station in mid-June. Continues to serve the Temporary Transfer Plaza until opening.
14 (Hermitage/East Main) – Realigned to serve the Downtown Transfer Station Monday–Saturday in the evening and all-day Sunday instead of the Temporary Transfer Plaza. Continues to serve the Temporary Transfer Plaza in the evening and on Sunday until opening.
50 (Broad Street) – No service after 7:00 pm. Extended to the Downtown Transfer Station in mid-June via 2^nd and Leigh Streets. Always serves the Temporary Transfer Plaza until opening.
56 (South Laburnum) – End of line changes from the Temporary Transfer Plaza to the Downtown Transfer Station via 9^th Street in mid-June. Always serves the Temporary Transfer Plaza until opening. No service via 7^th Street.
78 (Cary/Maymont) – every 45 minutes weekdays instead of every 60 minutes. Realigned to always serve the Downtown Transfer Station in mid-June via Broad Street. Always serves the Temporary Transfer Plaza until opening.
87 (Bellemeade/Hopkins) – Realigned to always serve the Downtown Transfer Station in mid-June northbound via Marshall Street. Always serves the Temporary Transfer Plaza until opening. Southbound service via 8^th and Canal Streets. No daytime service via 3^rd Street.