TAKE ACTION
This coming Thursday, February 28th from 6:30–8:00 PM, RVA Rapid Transit, Richmond Magazine, and a bunch of other organizations and nonprofits will host Mayorathon: Policy Jam. We’ll sit down with Mayor Levar Stoney to have a conversation about his accomplishments and priorities in a handful of topic areas: transportation, neighborhoods, education, public safety, and the urban environment. Get excited for an informative and fun atmosphere in which to talk about local policy—seriously, that’s a thing that can (and should) exist! The event is free and open to the public, but please RSVP over on the Eventbrite so we can get an accurate headcount. See you there!
AROUND THE REGION
Each and every ridership report released by GRTC is more astounding than the last. This recent one shows that year-over-year ridership in January across the entire bus system increased a whopping 26% (PDF)! Next up, this report shows that Pulse ridership continues to exceed expectations (PDF), with most weeks seeing near 40,000 rides. In that previous link, there’s also a fascinating table showing VCU ridership by route, with the #1A/B/C and the #5 both showing strong ridership growth.
Back in January, GRTC reduced the frequencies of the #4A and #4B routes which provide connections in and out of Fulton to the Pulse. However, after a recent public meeting at which they heard from more of the Fulton community, it sounds like the bus company may decide to add back 15-minute service during peak hours. Peak-only 15-minute service isn’t as consistent or useful as all-day 15-minute service, of course, but it’s good to see GRTC listening to the needs of the Fulton community.
Speaking of community input, on Wednesday at the West End Branch of the Richmond Public Library from 6:00–7:00PM, you can weigh in on some proposed changes to the #50, #76, and #77 routes. At this meeting, you’ll most likely hear about the changes presented at this past week’s GRTC board meeting (PDF). Those changes include new turnarounds on the eastern end of the #50, #76, #77—which you’ll remember are necessary since 1) City Council objected to the original turnaround on the block bounded by Grace, Robinson, Broad, and Davis, and 2) The current turnaround on the Science Museum property is only a temporary solution. You might also hear about a proposed extension of the western end of the #77, which would be a $255,000 change—more thoughts on this one after more details surface.
—Ross Catrow