Greater Richmond Transit Company facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
GRTC

GRTC bus operating along the GRTC Pulse bus rapid transit line
Founded	1860
Headquarters	301 East Belt Boulevard
Locale	Richmond, Virginia
Service area	Richmond, Virginia
Service type	bus service, paratransit
Alliance	Petersburg Area Transit
Routes	34 local routes 4 express routes 1 rapid transit line
Fleet	253 buses & vans
Daily ridership	29,600 (weekdays, Q1 2023)
Fuel type	Diesel and CNG
Operator	National Express (CARE Vans only)
Chief executive	Sheryl Adams

The Greater Richmond Transit Company, known as GRTC, is a bus company owned by the local government. It runs bus lines in and around Richmond, Virginia. GRTC helps people get around the city and nearby areas. In 2022, many people used GRTC buses. About 29,600 people rode the buses each weekday as of the first quarter of 2023.

GRTC mainly serves the city of Richmond and small parts of nearby counties like Henrico, Hanover, and Chesterfield. They have a fleet of over 157 buses. These buses use either diesel fuel or CNG. They operate on about 45 different routes.

GRTC gets money and equipment from the government. This includes funds from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation (VDRPT). Local funds also help support GRTC's services.

Who Owns and Manages GRTC?

GRTC is a company owned by the public. The City of Richmond and Chesterfield County equally own it. Henrico and Hanover counties use GRTC's services, but they do not own a part of the company.

When GRTC started in 1973, a private company helped manage it. This company provided important leaders like the CEO and COO.

GRTC has about 500 employees. This includes the people who drive the buses, mechanics who fix them, and staff who help customers.

What Kinds of Buses Does GRTC Use?

GRTC has many different types of buses in its fleet. They use buses made by companies like Motor Coach Industries and Gillig. Most of their buses are powered by CNG, which is a cleaner fuel. Some older buses still use diesel.

• Motor Coach Industries D4500CT: These are 45-foot long buses from 2011. GRTC has 5 of these.
• Gillig BRT: GRTC has 8 of these 40-foot buses from 2012. These were the last diesel buses GRTC bought.
• Gillig BRT CNG: Most of GRTC's buses are these. They come in different lengths like 40-foot, 35-foot, and 29-foot.
  • The first CNG buses were bought in 2013.
  • Some buses from 2016-2017 are used for the GRTC Pulse rapid transit line.
  • Smaller 29-foot buses (from 2017 and 2018) are used on routes that don't have as many riders.
  • In 2021, GRTC got a new 40-foot bus to replace one that was damaged in 2020.
  • More new 40-foot buses arrived in 2021 and 2022.
  • New 29-foot buses arrived in 2023, and more 40-foot and 35-foot buses are expected in 2024.

Overall, GRTC has 142 transit buses and 96 CARE vehicles. They also have 27 support vehicles like vans and trucks. Many of their buses, including 95 fixed-route buses and 88 CARE vehicles, use CNG fuel.

In 2020, GRTC decided to buy 29 new 40-foot Gillig Low Floor CNG BRT buses. These buses will replace older ones and help meet the growing demand for public transportation in the Richmond area.

GRTC Bus Routes

GRTC has many different bus routes to help people travel around Richmond and nearby areas. They have local routes, express routes, and a special rapid transit line called the GRTC Pulse.

• GRTC Pulse: This is a special rapid transit line that connects Willow Lawn to Rocketts Landing. It's designed for faster travel.
• Local Routes: These routes serve different neighborhoods and areas within Richmond. Examples include:
  • Route 1 (Chamberlayne/Downtown)
  • Route 5 (Cary/Main/Whitcomb)
  • Route 12 (Church Hill)
  • Route 50 (Broad Street)
• Express Routes: These routes are designed for faster travel, often connecting suburbs to downtown Richmond. Some express routes only run on weekdays. Examples include:
  • Route 29x (Gaskins Express)
  • Route 64x (Stony Point Express)
  • Route 95x (Petersburg Express)

GRTC also offers Park-N-Ride lots. These are places where you can park your car and then take an express bus to downtown Richmond. Some of these lots include:

• Gaskins Park-N-Ride
• Bon Air Baptist Church Park-N-Ride
• Petersburg Transit Center Park-N-Ride

Special Services for People with Disabilities

GRTC offers special services called CARE and CARE Plus. These services help people with disabilities who might not be able to use the regular bus routes. CARE and CARE Plus provide door-to-door transportation. These services are available in Richmond, Henrico County, and parts of Chesterfield County.

GRTC Locations

The main GRTC Headquarters and bus garage are located in South Richmond. It's near the intersection of Belt Boulevard and Midlothian Turnpike. This is where the buses are stored and repaired.

See also

• GRTC Pulse