Call to Action: Key City Council Vote, Jan 25 - TO EMAIL, CLICK HERE.

EMAIL CAMPAIGN continues through JAN 25

We are nearing the final vote for City Council to approve the contract to construct the GRTC Pulse -- bus rapid transit running along 14 station stops across the city from Rocketts Landing to Willow Lawn, largely along Broad St and some Main St. This vote should occur at the City Council Meeting on Monday, January 25, 2016.
City Council members need to hear your voice now more than ever! So we will continue emailing through January 25, and now you will be able to email all City Council members through one click -- follow this link to email your support!
You can see detailed consideration of why we need to move forward now with BRT "Casting the Regional Vision: Why BRT Now?", and as always, RVA News has got quality coverage of BRT FAQ.

Our supportive presence at the City Council meeting on Monday evening, January 25, will also be key. The meeting begins at 6 pm, and even if you could only be there for one hour (5-6 pm, 6-7 pm, 7-8 pm, 8-9 pm) in support holding a sign, wearing a button, or even speaking in favor during the public comment period if you feel so moved, it makes a significant difference! While the meeting begins at 6 pm, it will be good to get support in there early.
All are more than welcome and encouraged to just come, but if you know you will be joining in, please contact rvarapidtransit@gmail.com to let us know (helps with planning).
The meeting will occur at City Hall (900 E Broad St) in Council chambers on the second floor. We will have RVA Rapid Transit reps at the doors to Council chambers to hand out supportive RVA Rapid Transit signs and buttons.

Richmond City is about to begin a year long study on how to best revamp GRTC routes, which have been largely unchanged for decades. Check out this article "City to rethink GRTC routes" in the Richmond Times-Dispatch for more information.
We will keep you informed about public input meetings on this front, which will be critical to seizing this unparalleled opportunity to enhance public transportation even before further expansion into the counties.

Virginia Transit Association and Virginian's for High Speed Rail invite transit supports to join their Public Transportation Legislative Advocacy Day on Monday, Jan 25, at the Capitol.
There will be a briefing session from 10:00 - 11:00 AM before participants go forward to watch the session and lobby their legislators that afternoon. You can register and see more details here.

The next round of public meetings for this study are coming up in March. Please be sure to make it out to one to express the need and promise of a metro-wide system, as well as where you would like to see it go.
Meetings will be open house style. Participants can arrive at any point in the two hours and move through interactive stations.
- Wednesday, March 9, 6-8 pm (open house) at North Park Library, 8505 Franconia Road
- Thursday, March 10, 6-8 pm (open house) at Ramsey United Methodist Church, 5900 Hull Street Road
- Monday, March 14, 6-8 pm (open house) at DMV West Broad, 2300 W. Broad Street
For more information, follow this link and check out this excellent video clip below from the Southeastern Institute of Research, "Transit Vision Planning in the Richmond Region."