GRTC Pulse service to begin June 24

GRTC's new Pulse rapid bus service will begin Sunday, June 24, according to company officials. The much-anticipated service will operate along a 7.6-mile route on Broad Street and Main Street, between Henrico's Willow Lawn and Rocketts Landing.

“Henrico County is excited about the needed and enhanced connectivity that the Pulse will provide to the county’s expanded GRTC service and the opportunities this service will afford our citizens," said Henrico Board of Supervisors Chairman Frank Thornton.

GRTC Pulse is jointly sponsored by Bon Secours Richmond Health System and VCU Health System. The Pulse is designed to link the public to many destinations, businesses, services and restaurants on a frequent and timely basis using some dedicated lanes along the route.

“We are excited to see this project connect residents, workers and visitors in our city,” said Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney. “One quarter of the city’s population and two thirds of all jobs in Richmond are within a half mile of the Pulse. This new service, when integrated with our new Richmond Transit Network Plan, can become the transit heartbeat of our thriving city.”

The fare to ride the Pulse is the same as local routes at $1.50 per ride or $0.75 for reduced fare customers. The Pulse is free to ride for CARE customers. To learn more about the Pulse and explore how to ride this new service, visit: www.ridegrtc.com/
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Prior to opening to the public, lane construction will continue with some re maining work at the new bus stations, such as landscaping; lights; totem signage; station glass; station ceilings; and more. Some roadway work is expected to continue, including forming pedestrian curb ramps, as well as sidewalk repairs.

A Pulse construction hotline remains active at (804) 980-0084, providing updates on construction and expected impacts.

Additional changes coming
The same week that the Pulse service launches, significant transit improvements across Richmond will also take effect for GRTC riders.

In Henrico, enhanced weekday service every 30 minutes to Richmond International Airport, a major employer in Henrico’s East End, will be available on the Route 7 A/B Nine Mile Henrico beginning June 25. The Route 19 Pemberton will offer more frequent service – every 30 minutes between Willow Lawn and Pemberton and Broad. Also in the West End, Henrico’s new Route 79 Patterson/Parham will extend farther west to Quioccasin and Gaskins roads at the Gayton Crossing Shopping Center. Additional Henrico County transit expansions are planned for the fall.

The City of Richmond’s new network with all new routes, numbers and increased frequencies launches June 24. GRTC has teamed with the city to rework the GRTC network. Riders can also expect very similar service on weekdays and Saturdays with several new high-frequency bus routes north-south and east-west. The new city routes are designed to make it even easier to connect with the Pulse and reach destinations faster.

To learn more about the new city routes, visit: http://ridegrtc.com/statistics-reports/projects-plans/your-new-grtc-transit-system.

Once the Pulse service begins, commuters are urged not to drive, bike, walk, or skateboard in "Bus Only" lanes. Bicyclists are welcome to use the Downtown Bus Only lanes between 4th and 14th streets in Richmond, and drivers are permitted to make right-turns from these Downtown Bus Only lanes. Pedestrians should not walk in the medians.

"Our team is excited to welcome the public aboard on June 24th to experience a world-class bus rapid transit service," said GRTC CEO David Green. "GRTC is committed to providing clean, safe, and reliable transportation; to that end, we ask for the public’s attention to new travel patterns. This increased awareness is essential for the safety for all users of the roadway.”