Tuesday, October 27, 2015

In Your Own Words - Guest Entry by Mark Peterson

Comments on Bus Rapid Transit in Richmond

I am fully supportive of bus rapid transit in Richmond. The proposed Pulse has the potential to form the spine of GRTC as we move forward into the 21st century. More and more people are moving back into the city to neighborhoods like Scott's Addition, Downtown, Shockoe Bottom and Rocketts Landing. Public transportation needs to be a competitive alternative to driving for new and current residents. The Pulse will serve all of of these neighborhoods and has the potential to allow households to go car free or car light where a two car family goes to a one car family.

Much of the opposition to the Pulse is focused on parking. Currently parking in the city of Richmond is extremely easy and extraordinarily cheap. But people are used to free street parking and it is rational not to want to give up something that has been perceived as free for a very long time. However free parking is not free. It costs everyone, including those who do not even own cars. Parking will not be drastically impacted with the implementation of bus rapid transit. At most people will not be able to park directly in front of their destination if the current plan moves forward. Furthermore, the streets are a public good. The free storage of private automobiles shouldn't thwart a project that gives residents who cannot afford to or choose not to use a private automobile, a viable means of transportation.

While BRT can be great at attracting new riders, the Pulse needs to benefit current riders too. Private car ownership is extremely costly and the city and parts of eastern Henrico have a poverty level in excess of 25%. Additionally 18% of households in the city do not have access to a car and 41% of households have access to only one car. These residents have the right to convenient, reliable transportation. Bus rapid transit can provide that. I hope that in the future the Pulse will extend beyond Rocketts Landing to Montrose and other neighborhoods that truly need better public transportation.

Mark Peterson

Homeowner, Richmond VA

Tuesday, October 13, 2015

October Public Meetings


The next GRTC Public Meetings are scheduled for October 26 & 27, 2015. 
The GRTC Pulse (Bus Rapid Transit) Project Partners will present a status update, ongoing activities and long-range timeline for the Project at Public Meetings, conducted on an informal basis.  Members of the public are encouraged to share their feedback with Project team members. Members of the Media are invited to attend. The informal public meetings are identical in content and location. Please plan to attend the one convenient for your schedule. 

Monday, October 26, 2015 at 6:00 – 7:30 pm
Library of Virginia
800 E. Broad Street, Auditorium
This location is conveniently accessible via the GRTC Bus System and is near the Downtown Transfer Plaza.  Free parking is available in the Library parking deck with entrances accessible from 8th and 9th Streets.  Street parking and metered parking is also available. 

Tuesday, October 27, 2015 at 12:00 – 1:30 pm
Richmond Public Library, Main Branch
101 East Franklin Street
This location is conveniently accessible via the GRTC Bus System (Route 16 Grove). Two-hour free on-street parking is available on surrounding streets. Paid parking is available in the parking garage entrance located at Grace and 2nd Streets. 

Anyone unable to attend one of these meetings may submit comments by November 13, 2015 to:
e-mail:  brt@ridegrtc.com
Mail: GRTC Transit System
c/o Ashley Mason, Marketing & Public Relations Specialist
301 East Belt Boulevard
Richmond, VA 23224
804-358-3871

If you require an American Sign Language interpreter, please contact Ashley Mason at least 3 days prior to the meeting you wish to attend, either by phone 804-358-3871 EXT. 364 or by e-mail: amason@ridegrtc.com. If you require Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) paratransit services, please schedule a reservation with GRTC’s CARE or CARE Plus. You may contact us by phone (804) 782-CARE (2273), email grtc.cvan@mvtransit.com, or fax (804) 474-9993. Please note that all GRTC buses are ADA-compliant with kneeling capability, wheelchair ramps and mobility device space.

Public Meeting materials will be added online at http://www.ridegrtc.com/brt/public-meetings/.