GRTC partnering with health districts to provide free rides to COVID-19 vaccinations

GRTC is providing free on-demand rides to Richmond and Henrico Health Districts COVID-19 vaccine recipients who need transportation to reach their appointments. Although GRTC trips are currently free, some customers may be too far from a bus stop, so GRTC’s On-Demand partner UZURV is delivering these passengers to and from their vaccine appointments.

The health districts are arranging rides directly for those who need them; GRTC is not scheduling rides directly with passengers.

“Vaccines are available right now for the most vulnerable people in our region, yet there are many who have no transportation to vaccine clinics and no access to bus routes serving the clinics,” GRTC CEO Julie Timm said. “GRTC’s partnership with local health departments and UZURV will extend door-to-door service beyond our normal bus routes for vaccination appointments, which will ensure mobility limitations and limited access to transit are not barriers to health.”

GRTC Vaccine On-Demand trips are funded from the CARES Act as part of the pandemic response, and in coordination with the Virginia Department of Health.

"We are so grateful to our partners who are thinking intentionally about the transportation needs of our communities," says Jackie Lawrence, director of Health Equity for RHHD. "Transportation is a significant barrier to many in our most impacted communities... this helps make sure everyone who wants a vaccine can access one."

RHHD's Community Health Workers, faith leader partners, and other outreach workers are utilizing a relationship-based approach to reach underserved communities. They will inform community members about COVID-19 vaccine opportunities and will help identify any barriers that stand between interested individuals and access to an appointment. If transportation is an issue, outreach workers can connect with UZURV to coordinate transportation to the appointment.