CONDOLENCE

GRTC bus Operator, John Thrower, lost his life to COVID-19 last week. His family, co-workers, and friends held a vigil for him yesterday evening, and his wife Tracey Thrower called on everyone (all of us) to take COVID seriously: "Just take it seriously guys. Do what you’re supposed to do to keep yourself safe, to keep your family safe. Because we don’t want this to happen again." 

She shared as well, “John, he was the best you hear me. He was my soulmate.... His bubbly smile. His loving personality. Everyone knew him, he talks to everybody.” And GRTC CEO, Julie Timm, echoed, "He was a bright and beautiful soul, and I was always inspired by the positive light he cast here at GRTC. I mourn this tragic loss to our family and our community." 

The RTD highlights the ways, "Thrower’s death personifies the risk posed by COVID-19 to essential, public-facing employees and African Americans, who are more likely to fall ill with the disease because of the disproportionate rates of underlying health conditions." Those disproportionate rates, of course, stemming from generationally deep, systemic barriers to things like health care, housing, transportation, education, nutritious food, and employment that we must address as a society. 

We send our condolences to Mr. Thrower's family. Please remember that GRTC is still operating under COVID precautions (wear your mask, only ride for essential trips, zero fares, and social distance). 
 

AROUND THE REGION

As noted last week, RVA Rapid Transit is seeking a full-time Director of Community Engagement to spearhead advocacy for core bus riders' stories, concerns, and interests in local decisions about public transportation. You can see more at rvarapidtransit.org/dce. If you know someone you think might be a good fit or you think you might be a good fit, certainly encourage them/yourself to apply (and feel wildly free to spread the word in general).

The final version of Richmond 300: A Guide for Growth has been released! This is the comprehensive plan to guide Richmond's growth for roughly the next two decades, and the aspiration it casts for "Equitable Transportation" is powerful: 

Vision: Richmond prioritizes the movement of people over the movement of vehicles through a safe, reliable, equitable, and sustainable transportation network. Walking, biking, and transit options are the most convenient and used forms of transportation in Richmond, thereby improving the natural environment and our health.

You can see the corridors highlighted for high-frequency public transit on pages 76-77 of the Final Plan, and the section on Equitable Transportation starts on page 132 as well. But the entire plan just lives and breathes multi-modal mobility beautifully. It will be going before the City's Planning Commission this Monday, October 5. 

As a reminder, PlanRVA is also presently working on its long-range transportation plan (LRTP) to guide "the region's transportation investments over the next 20 years." See connectrva2045.org for more info, and if you haven't yet, fill out the online survey to help define the plan's goals, vision, and strategies for a transit-oriented future. 

In other news, the next meeting date for the full CVTA (Central Virginia Transportation Authority) is still TBA, and Mayorathon continues to rock and roll. Tune in to hear about City Council and Mayoral candidates' respective views on public transit as well as other key issues. 


Nelson Reveley
Director of Operations, RVA Rapid Transit