The fact that a neighborhood and a single councilperson were able to pressure GRTC into redesigning new bus routes just a few days before the Pulse launches has some Richmonders seeking for answers to how it’ll all work out.
GRTC hosted a public meeting Monday night to discuss the removal of Bus Stop #3651 at Davis and Broad. The meeting solicited feedbacks on a proposed permanent redesign of the three routes that turn around on the block bounded by Broad, Davis, Grace, and Robinson streets. The stop will be relocated to DMV Drive at the old Department of Workers Compensation parking lot.
Effective Sunday, June 24, the new routes, 50, 76 and 77 will temporarily reroute to this stop. Garland Williams, Director of Planning and Scheduling at GRTC Transit Systems, said the board heard a lot from the neighborhoods concerning the original bus routes because it was a high transfer activity area.
“The board thought it was necessary to make a change because all intentions were good and trying to make sure we can connect [as many] people as we possibly can,” Williams said. “But we also wanted to make sure that we don’t inconvenience individually.”
He said the GRTC is working closely with the city managers; though it won’t be a burden financially on this system. They’ll come back and report all about the permanent changes of the new routes whether it’s winter of 2018 or early 2019.
Council Member Kim Gray took a moment to publicly share how grateful she was that GRTC took care of the issue as soon as possible.
“I just wanted to take a moment to thank the GRTC administration and the board for hearing the wishes of Lane Byrd and West Grace and making such a quick move,” Gray said. “It’s wonderful to make that happen so quickly.”
Corey Fauconier, a security officer also expressed how much he’s looking forward to riding the Pulse. “I think it’ll be good and it’s going to be a lot better than what we have now,” he said.
The Pule will officially launch June 30, below is the schedule:
Route 50-Broad; Travels from Willow Lawn to Broad and Davis via Broad.
Weekdays- Every 30 mins – 5:00 am-11:00 pm
Weekends-Every 30 mins – 6:00 am – 11:00 pm.
Route 76-Patterson; Travels from Willow Lawn to Broad and Davis via Patterson.
Weekdays- Every 60 mins – 5:00 am – 7:00 pm
Weekends- Every 60 mins – 7:00 am -7:00 pm
Route 77-Grove; Travels from Willow lawn to Broad and Davis via Grove and Robison
Weekdays – Every 60 mins – 5:00 am – 7:00pm
Weekends- Every 60 mins – 7:00 am – 7:00 pm
Read More: GRTC Pulse: Bus Riders Sound Off On New Lines Ahead of Rollout
