GRTC Pulse Richmond BRT. Image by Richard Hankins

Even just a decade ago, the state of Richmonds transit was a sorry affair. The same city that constructed the worlds first electric streetcar system burned it to the ground 60 years later. Richmond then razed Black neighborhoods with interstate highways, and became a de-facto transit wasteland by the early 21st century.

In 2011, the policy think-tank Brookings Institute found that out of the top 100 metro areas, Richmond ranked 92nd for transit access, a dismal finding even in a country not known for its public transportation. Thanks to segregation, redlining, and other racist policies, many of Richmonds, carless, Black, and poor residents were dependent on a woefully inadequate transportation system well into the 21st century.

But then things started to shift by 2018. Richmond overhauled the Greater Richmond Transit Company (GRTC)s bus network, streamlining routes and connecting residents to employment centers with an emphasis on frequent service and equitable mobility. Concurrently, Richmond constructed the first bus rapid transit line in Central Virginia along the regions busiest corridor, Broad Street, thanks to a federal grant. As a result, ridership immediately increased 17%, and over 5 million people have ridden the Pulse since it opened for service just three and a half years ago.

Even COVID-19 couldnt stifle this momentum. The City of Richmond and GRTC just finished painting over four miles of the Pulses dedicated lanes red, aligning the route to international standards and increasing safety for riders, drivers, and pedestrians alike. Even more impressive is that ridership today is 10% higher than before the pandemic. This is an impressive anomaly, bucking national trends in the wake of the pandemic. To our north in DC, Metro ridership hovers at a dismal 30% of pre-pandemic levels while WMATAs bus service is at only 60%.

Perhaps most exciting of all, GRTC is leading a national trend in equitable access to transportation by piloting one of the countrys biggest zero-fare programs. That means riding the bus around RVA could stay completely free through at least June 2025 thanks to an $8 million grant from the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation. If Central Virginias localities and business leaders support the backdoor boost to riders wages with further funding, GRTC could stay fare-free permanently.

Finally, the establishment of the Central Virginia Transportation Authority in 2020 has created GRTCs first dedicated revenue stream and established a regional body to foster cooperation amongst localities. 2022 could be the most exciting year for transit since the great redesign of 2018 with a historic 20% increase in bus service in the works. Plus, the city has painted the Pulse lanes red from 3rd Street to I-195, thanks in part to a state grant.

Such progress has vastly improved the quality of life in Greater Richmond. However, these big wins should be seen as a down payment on the far-reaching, equitable system our region desperately needs.

Areas for growth

RVA Rapid Transits 2021 State of Transit Report identified 13 major corridors that stretch from Ashland to Brandermill and Mechanicsville to Short Pump that need bus service with 15-minute (or better) frequency. Midlothian Turnpike is the regions next top opportunity: from Johnston-Willis Hospital to Chesterfield Towne Center the corridor has tons of jobs but not a single bus route. Following the success of Chesterfield Countys first local bus route along Route 1 in 2020, its clear Richmonds southern neighbor needs more transit service.

Improving public transit directly impacts peoples lives, a matter that we at RVA Rapid Transit are addressing by canvassing riders at bus stops. We heard from one rider, Angie, who told us Im trying to start a new job at Amazon, and right now I cant get the shift that I need with my kids because the bus comes every hourIf the bus came every 30 minutes, it would change everything for me.

Another rider, Martin Hill, talked to us about the difficulties of balancing fatherhood and career via public transportation.

I have to drop my son off at daycare or school, then I got to try to make it to work on time, and its just hard, Hill said. If I have to be at work at 7 in the morning, I have to be at the bus [stop] by 5 in the morning.

Countless other Central Virginians face the same challenges Martin and Angie do to access better-paying jobs and a better quality of life for their families. With greater investment in public transit, we could change this and create a more equitable and sustainable Richmond region.

Currently, only 23% of our regions jobs are accessible by a frequent bus route, according to our report. With greater investments in service to these 13 corridors, we could connect our regions residents to an additional 203,776 jobs, equating to a monumental 248% increase in job access.

I also hope that you will keep Martin and Angie in mind when considering the impact of better transit. We have come so far recently in the pursuit of reliable, frequent, and expansive public transportation - and we must not stop now.

Studies have begun on the creation of a North-South BRT line. Henrico joined the board of GRTC this spring. Bus service expansions are being eyed across all three jurisdictions. GRTC has adopted an impressive plan to double (or even triple) the percentage of bus stops with shelters or benches.

Help us show support for these projects by not only emailing public comments to GRTC but also reaching out to your local representatives (Richmond City, Henrico, Chesterfield), who have an outsized voice in the direction and prioritization of transit in the Richmond region.

No matter your residency, I urge you to support public transit not only for the betterment of our region but also for riders like Martin and Angie, who rely on transit in supporting themselves and their families. We need to keep the momentum going.

RichardHankinsis the Program & Communications Manager for RVA Rapid Transit, where he advocates for public transportation across Greater Richmond. He has previously held three transit fellowships, including two for Transit Alliance Miami. He resides in the Westover Hills neighborhood in his hometown of Richmond, Va.

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Richmond has made monumental progress on public transit. We must keep moving forward. - Greater Greater Washington