Rapid Transit For Richmond's Future
RVA Rapid Transit, together with Partnership For SmarterGrowth and GRTC, present:
Rapid Transit For Richmond's Future
Richmond is getting very close to building its first Bus Rapid Transit line -- from Rocketts to Willow Lawn. Join us for an evening with Joe Calabrese*, the CEO of the Cleveland Healthline, the most success Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system in the country, who will discuss the economic development potential of BRT for Metropolitan Richmond on:
Wednesday September 17, 2014 from 6:30pm to 8:00pm. The Science Museum of Richmond 2500 West Broad Street Thalhimer Theater Richmond, VA 23220 Seating is limited so please RSVP to let us know you are coming.
If you would like to help us get people out to this important event please email us at: rvarapidtransit@gmail.com
Ready to Ride!
The supporters of RVA Rapid Transit
Joe Calabrese** led Cleveland’s effort to build the innovative 6.8-mile long Healthline, a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system connecting several of the city’s major employment hubs, including a major university health system. Since Cleveland’s BRT came on line in 2008, the corridor has seen over 5.8 billion dollars in economic development. The Healthline corridor has many similarities to Richmond and is being used to predict economic development, especially as it relates to job access, for the planned BRT route.
Come hear Mr. Calabrese’s exciting vision about how Bus Rapid Transit will move Metropolitan Richmond into the future.
Governor MacAuliffe Endorses Broad Street BRT
On April 24, 2014 Governor Terry MacAuliffe announced his official support for Broad Street Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project, which will build Bus Rapid Transit from Rocketts Landing to Willow Lawn in the City of Richmond and Henrico County. The Governor made it clear that the Broad Street BRT project is important not only for the economy of Metropolitan Richmond but also for the economy of the Commonwealth as a whole. In the words of Governor McAuliffe:
“ Improving and expanding Virginia’s transportation system in order to grow our economy is one of my highest priorities,” said Governor McAuliffe. “The Richmond BRT is exactly the type of project that we should be advancing to improve the lives of the Virginians we serve. It will be affordable, provide Richmond residents with more transportation choices and help link people with businesses and jobs across the region.”
Mayor Dwight Jones also voiced his support for the Broad Street BRT:
“Transportation is an essential part of daily life,” said Richmond Mayor Dwight C. Jones. “Linking the regional economy together through a better transportation network is something we’ve been working toward for the employment and economic development needs of our city, and the Richmond BRT project is a critical and important step in that regard.”
The DRPT (Department of Rail and Public Transportation) and GRTC (Greater Richmond Transit Company)are applying for a TIGER grant through the FTA (Federal Transit Authority),which will expedite the construction of the Broad Street BRT. This grant will provide $24.9 million in funding, which is 50% of the cost of the project. The remaining costs for construction will be split betweenthe state providing $17 million and the City of Richmond and Henrico County providing $8 million.
Read the Governor’s full announcement.
This important announcement received the following press coverage in metropolitan Richmond:
View CBS 6’s story on the Broad Street BRT
Read an article on the Broad Street BRT from Virginia Business
Read an article on the Broad Street BRT from the Richmond Times Dispatch
GRTC's CEO Calls Rapid Transit "The Future"
Retiring GRTC CEO Eldridge Coles calls rapid transit "the future of transit in Richmond," Style Weekly reports in a new interview.
The 46-year GRTC employee began his career as a bus driver and has seen many changes in Richmond's public transit system over the years. He believes that what Richmond needs now is rapid transit and a more comprehensive system that spans the entire Richmond region.
He says, "I would like to see buses go further out into the counties ... where the jobs are."