As part of Mayorathon: A Focus on the 5th, and in cooperation with a bunch of other great organizations, RVA Rapid Transit sent a stack of policy-focused questionnaires to all of the candidates for Richmond’s 5th District City Council special election. We also hosted a well-attended (and fun!) candidate forum at the Randolph Community Center.

From a transportation perspective, we are interested in these candidates’ positions on:

• Funding for capital projects like sidewalks and safe bike infrastructure as well as operating fundIng for GRTC to provide more frequent and far-reaching bus service,
• the creation of a Richmond Department of Transportation,
• and increasing Richmond’s commitment to Vision Zero.

You can read each candidates’ full response to the transportation questions below. While Chuck Richardson attended the accompanying candidate forum, he has not (yet!) answered our questions. Mamie Taylor chose not to participate, and Graham Sturm has withdrawn from the race.

Will you commit to $1 million per year of City funding for pedestrian and bicycle improvements?

Establishing safe and accessible places for people to bike and walk will require capital funding for infrastructure. Where, specifically, would you invest in better pedestrian and bike infrastructure? What do you see as the major safety and mobility challenges facing pedestrians and people on bikes as they move around the 5th District?

Nicholas Da Silva: Yes. To increase accessibility for bikes and other modes of transportation other than cars we must work to construct safer bike Lanes with protected access for bikes and connect the existing bike Lanes in our city. We are currently suffering from a disjointed bike system that does not provide adequate Transportation off options for bikers. Cars Remain the biggest threat all other modes of transportation in our city. You must work to provide modes of transportation other than cars and elevated position in our city converting streets from car only to complete streets or non-automobile streets entirely.

Stephanie Lynch: Yes. We have a cultural, resource, and access problem with regards to bike and pedestrian safety in our City. Culturally, we have to work to educate our residents starting in their behind the wheel training to better accommodate all occupants of the road. In terms of resources and access, we know that investing in sidewalks, bumpouts, high visibility crosswalks, and protected bike lanes all make a meaningful impact in preventing unnecessary traffic fatalities. With regard to specific projects, I think we have to hear from our local neighborhood associations, to embrace and fund suggestions such as creating a connected green way between the Maymont, Carilion, and Byrd park neighborhoods, implementing stop lights and high viz cross walks on Semmes, and more. Much of the funding to achieve these goals could be leveraged through increased enforcement of traffic and moving violations, as well as State and Federal level grants for Vision Zero projects. I would also like to see further implementation of the RVA Bike Share program south of the river. The concept behind a robust bike share system in Richmond has to based upon equitable access in residential communities across Richmond, not just in wealthier neighborhoods and downtown. Further expansion of the RVA Bike Share would mean increased low cost transit access for families, students, and workers, as well as potentially more commerce and foot traffic in less affluent neighborhoods. We have to make more affordable annual passes available, as well as partner with private interests in the City to sponsor the expansion of stations in order to make this a reality.

Jer’Mykeal McCoy: Yes. I will support expanding protected infrastructure for cyclists and pedestrians across our entire city, prioritizing the roads and intersections that have seen multiple collisions. The Semmes/Forest Hill corridor stands out. Speeding on this road is a hazard for drivers, cyclist, and pedestrians.

Robin D. Mines: It’s complicated. Infrastructure including more sidewalks needed for pedestrians, more visible street signs controlling vegetation and needed traffic lights at high traffic intersections. Lower speed limits and on several corridors with bus riders, pedestrians and those with limited mobility crossing streets. Wheelchair ramps at all bus stops.

Thad Williamson: Yes. We need to invest in improved sidewalks and bike lanes throughout the 5th District, guided by the existing Bicycle Master Plan. Current priorities in or adjoining the 5th District identified by the Department of Public Works include a bicycle corridor on Roanoke Street and painting identified bike lanes on Westover Hills Boulevard. My goal on City Council will be to assure that tangible progress is being made in the form of new capital projects or completion of existing projects to support bike and pedestrian infrastructure within the 5th District each and every year. Ongoing public education aimed at motorists to promote safety and respect of bicyclists and pedestrians is an urgent need, as are other steps related to implementing Vision Zero.

Will you implement and support the legislative and budget components of the Vision Zero action plan?

Vision Zero is a strategy to eliminate all traffic fatalities and severe injuries, while increasing safe, healthy, and equitable mobility for all. In March 2016, Richmond City Council passed a Vision Zero Resolution (RES. 2016-R011) that “supports the development of a Vision Zero program for the City of Richmond with the goal of reducing traffic fatalities and serious injuries in road traffic to zero by the year 2030,” and in October 2017 Mayor Stoney signed a commitment to make Richmond a Vision Zero city. The City’s Vision Zero Action Plan includes legislative and budget actions that City Council could pass today. If elected to City Council, which of those would you prioritize and why?

Nicholas Da Silva: Yes. To achieve Vision zero, we must commit to removing as many cars off of our streets as possible. Cars have always been the source of traffic fatalities since their introduction onto our streets. City council must work with planners to make as many streets and paths accessible too low risks modes of transportation such as pedestrians pedestrian traffic, bikes, and other last-mile modes of transportation. Traffic that is motorized should be kept at a safe distance from other modes of transportation to reduce the number of fatalities in traffic accidents. We must generally work to build a car-free city city that is reasonably navigable by residents and tourists alike without a car. In the twenty-first century we should not be relying on hold we have more intuitive ways to move people around our cities and Richmond must adapt that.

Stephanie Lynch: Yes. This will be one of my top priorities on day one. We can’t create a more inclusive and equitable 5th District if residents can’t get around safely and affordably. I will advocate for pedestrians with all of the tools afforded to me on Council, and this starts by fighting for more money in the budgeting process to invest in crosswalks, bike lanes, high visibility signage, and traffic calming measures such as curb bump outs and speed bumps. This will also take long term structural changes such as the city wide lowering of speed limits in residential areas as proposed by Councilman Jones, consideration of multi-modality in future development and expansion, and education, particularly in our behind the wheel courses in RPS, centered around drivers’ relationship with pedestrians. We also have to engage with existing partners such as Bike Walk RVA to leverage grassroots engagement and fully fund their proposals. We have a beautiful and vibrant 5th District, but unfortunately right now, a lot of people don’t have meaningful access to all it offers because of how difficult we make it to get around without a car. We have to change that.

Jer’Mykeal McCoy: Yes. Last year, the number of pedestrians killed by drivers was more than doubled from 2017. That is unacceptable and we are clearly dropping the ball when it comes to protecting our neighbors and implementing the Vision Zero Action Plan. In addition to reducing speed limits, stepping up enforcement, and expanding protected bike lanes, and installing “curb bulbs” at high traffic area.

Robin D. Mines: It’s complicated. This is going to be a step by step process. Gradual steps in infrastructure, funding and educating citizens. Vision Zero is a great plan to make district and city safer for our children, pedestrians, cyclists, scooters and vehicles. We must educate our citizens prior to and during new changes infrastructure and traffic adjustments. We also need to reach out to our citizens creatively reinforcing common sense safety practices. I would prioritize infrastructure, speed limit changes and educating citizens.

Thad Williamson: Yes. I am prepared and eager to champion the Project Zero vision as aggressively as possible if elected to represent the 5th District, in cooperation with Council colleagues. I will support concrete steps such as allocating more resources to enforce speed limits, adopting anti-distraction legislation, adding more crosswalks and where needed more traffic lights, identifying and mitigating dangerous intersections, assuring construction projects don’t create dangerous situations, aggressive public service announcements and signage to promote traffic safety., and more. I also will champion and work with any neighborhood that wishes to become an enhanced penalty speed zone or to establish speed tables or other mechanisms to create safer streets—and assure that approved speed tables are fully funded. We need to pay special attention to streets around our schools, especially those (like Patrick Henry) on or near high traffic volume streets, to be sure that all kids and families can get where they need to go safely at all times. We need to fund and implement the administrative and policy components of the Vision Zero plan, but there is no substitute for cultural change. Cultural change means driving within the speed limit, putting away the distractions, being alert to pedestrians and vehicles at every moment, and practicing defensive driving. I look forward to working with residents and community organizations in the 5th District to bring about the changed laws and changed habits needed to make the loss of life on our streets a thing of the past.

Will you establish and fund a dedicated Richmond Department of Transportation.

As Richmond continues to grow, so will the challenge of how to move more residents and visitors within the city limits by walking, biking, transit, car-share, driving, and future transportation options. How can the City overcome its current disconnected planning process and begin to centrally plan, coordinate, and build multimodal transportation projects?

Nicholas Da Silva: Yes. We believe Richmond does need to have a central focus on public transportation. To build an equitable city, we must have an equitable transportation system. Our current infrastructure put scars before all other means of transportation. We have built a city that is barely navigable by pedestrians and remains hostile towards bikers. You should be able to travel from the north side of the city to the South Side whatever without ever getting in a car and vice versa. We must build a sustainable transportation system based on centralized planning that ensures all citizens have access to low-cost or free public transportation throughout the entire city. We must make sure that all citizens have equal access to every part of our city. Access to services and jobs in our city has remain segregated as a result of our current transportation infrastructure. We can end that segregation but we must commit to more inclusive transportation system it’s sustainable models of Transportation.

Stephanie Lynch: Yes. I think that this an excellent model for addressing this problem. We can not continue to silo these initiatives in DPU, DPW, and other City agencies when we are faced with such a systemic issue. A central Department would allow for more coordinated development and planning, easier cooperation with community organizations and transit oriented non-profits, and a more robust and dedicated funding mechanism in the long term.

Jer’Mykeal McCoy: Yes. I will commit to funding multimodal alternative forms of transportation that take cars off of the road, which leads to a safer and healthier environment for us all. We need to expand transit options through out the based on recommendations from Richmond300 (which I serve on).

Robin D. Mines: It’s complicated. I would support a Regional Transit System which would need to be discussed between the nine districts and surrounding County Boards. I would support legislation similar to the Funding Stream for Hampton Roads.

Thad Williamson: Yes. We urgently need a Department of Transportation led by a director oriented towards multimodal transportation in City Hall. The new department needs to integrate staff working on transportation-related issues currently dispersed in different departments, and it needs to lead the City’s relationship with GRTC. I saw firsthand the challenges our current structure posed for project management of GRTC Pulse. The idea of creating a Department of Transportation has been discussed inside the administration; I will support moving it forward should it be proposed this year.

Will you increase GRTC’s annual operating funding by $2 million?

Last year, Richmond and Henrico launched the region’s first bus rapid transit line and entirely redesigned their portions of the bus network. GRTC routes #2, #5, #20, and #78 all operate in the 5th District. In your view, how could bus service be improved—either in the 5th District or elsewhere—to help residents of the 5th?

Nicholas Da Silva: Yes. The changes to the GRTC have been detrimental to many of the 5th District citizens. The new pulse Line took away vital resources from the Southside and Randolph communities without proper notification of working-class individuals about changes to bus routes. The city must commit to engaging with citizens about public transportation on their own terms. Meetings cannot be held during normal working hours and the city must make attempts to reach all citizens potentially affected by changes to public transportation. We must commit more tax dollars to public transportation. We have a City built around the car and that is not a sustainable model. We must commit to an increase of at least two million to the GRTC and to increase existing access to Residence. Residents who have been affected by changes to the GRTC bus line should be consulted by city council a new public transportation option should be made available to ensure that risk residents can reach their destinations. Residents, especially elderly citizens, have been affected by changes to bus routes. I have talked to many richmonders about the Wade buses allowed them to reach hospital and medical services that they can no longer reach. Our city must be built for the working class and that means having a public transportation system that allows all richmonders to travel our city without the need of a car.

Stephanie Lynch: Yes. My top transit priority would be increasing access and coverage for GRTC. The Pulse has been largely a success in terms of engaging more riders and driving up system wide ridership, as well as in terms of connecting residents with businesses and job opportunities, but it has unfortunately meant less access in some neighborhoods in the 5th as detailed in a recent analysis done by VCU. We need to emphasize broadening bus access and increasing frequency of lines, particularly on the 5th’s Southside. In order to achieve this, we have to look at increased funding for GRTC from the Richmond budget, but also at engaging with our regional partners in Chesterfield and Henrico to ensure that they’re paying their fair share. We also have to look at a modernized bus transfer center that can serve as a hub for routes throughout the City to more efficiently connect residents with work, school, and play.

Jer’Mykeal McCoy: Yes. Implementation of the Greater RVA Transit Vision Plan, with a particular focus on a North-South bus rapid transit line to complement the East-West Pulse line. Another priority would be ensuring that all bus stops in the city have shelter and seating.

Robin D. Mines: It’s complicated. Data Driven. Need public input.

Thad Williamson: Yes. My top three transportation priorities for the 5th District: 1) Continued progress towards development of a regional transit system using primarily county and state resources – this is included in an important set of priorities that I helped established and outline in the Mayor’s Anti-Poverty Commission Report (which I authored). Regional transportation is essential to better connect all residents to job opportunities throughout our region. Richmond currently ranks near the bottom of “Top 100” metropolitan areas in job accessibility via transit – development of such a system would be transformative for the 5th District and the entire city. 2) More frequent service within the 5th District to connect residents to emerging employment opportunities at or near Richmond Marine Terminal (Port of Richmond) and to connect residents more directly to the GRTC Pulse. Unfortunately, there is currently no direct service connecting Byrd Park, Randolph and Maymont residents to the Pulse via north-south arteries like Robinson Street … this needs to change! Service along Robinson Street has been listed as a priority by the Richmond 300 “Future Connections” map. 3) Install shelters at bus stops wherever feasible to provide bus riders with shade, seating, and protection from the elements. More generally, on City Council I will take my guidance from the Richmond 300 Plan as well as recommendations from the envisioned Department of Transportation, community advocates, and GRTC itself as we move forward with continual improvement and expansion of service over the next decade.