Greater Richmond Transit Company
Encyclopedia
The Greater Richmond Transit Company, known locally as GRTC, is a local government-owned public service company
which operates an urban-suburban bus line based in Richmond, Virginia
, USA.
GRTC primarily serves the independent city
of Richmond and a very small portion of the adjacent counties of Henrico
and Chesterfield
with a fleet of over 200 diesel-powered transit bus
es operating approximately 70 routes.
GRTC uses government-funded equipment and resources principally provided by the Federal Transit Administration
(FTA), Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation
(VDRPT), and local funds. It also maintains equipment and has other affiliations with Petersburg Area Transit
, a similar agency which also serves a portion of Chesterfield County.
, GRTC is owned equally by the City of Richmond and neighboring Chesterfield County. Henrico County and Virginia Commonwealth University
(VCU) currently purchase services from it, but hold no ownership interest.
GRTC itself has no employees, and it has always been managed, staffed, and operated by a private transit management company, as was its predecessor, Virginia Transit Company (VTC).
, public transit systems in the United States became unprofitable, and most were eventually converted to government-owned and funded operations. This trend included Virginia Transit Company operations in Richmond and Norfolk
.
In 1972, federal, state and local funds were used to purchase the assets of the Virginia Transit Company, and a new public service company was set up, GRTC, which was wholly owned by the City of Richmond. A one-half interest was later purchased by Chesterfield County in the late 1980s. Henrico County declined to purchase a portion at that time.
, a Scottish company. First Transit also owns Laidlaw Transit, the contractor which has operated GRTC's paratransit
services since the late 1980s.
To complement Color-coded routes, Express buses run from downtown to various points with few or no stops. Express buses are as follows:
Park-and-ride buses have parking lot
s for commuters. GRTC Park-and-Ride Service is provided for the following routes:
Finally, five GRTC routes serve the Virginia Commonwealth University
These are: 83-89 and 99.
Most routes converge on downtown Richmond
near Richmond City Hall and the VCU Medical Campus on Broad Street
with the exception of routes 18, 91 and 93. Although Chesterfield County is a part owner of GRTC and the county is largely urbanized, there is no public transportation in Chesterfield aside from the Brandermill express run and the two routes (Midlothian Turnpike and Jefferson Davis Highway) that travel roughly half a mile over the city line and then turn back into the city of Richmond. Service in Henrico County is also very limited, with very little bus service in the northern part of the county, and none in the Varina area or Short Pump.
The GRTC bus garage, originally a streetcar facility, is located in the City at Robinson and Cary Streets. Petersburg Area Transit
buses are also frequently serviced at this location. In 2007, a new facility was being developed near the intersection of Belt Boulevard and Midlothian Turnpike in South Richmond
.
service in Richmond and Henrico County is provided by the CARE service, which is operated under contract by Laidlaw Transit, Inc.
Public service company
A public service company is a corporation or other non-governmental business entity which delivers public services - certain services considered essential to the public interest...
which operates an urban-suburban bus line based in Richmond, Virginia
Richmond, Virginia
Richmond is the capital of the Commonwealth of Virginia, in the United States. It is an independent city and not part of any county. Richmond is the center of the Richmond Metropolitan Statistical Area and the Greater Richmond area...
, USA.
GRTC primarily serves the independent city
Independent city
An independent city is a city that does not form part of another general-purpose local government entity. These type of cities should not be confused with city-states , which are fully sovereign cities that are not part of any other sovereign state.-Historical precursors:In the Holy Roman Empire,...
of Richmond and a very small portion of the adjacent counties of Henrico
Henrico County, Virginia
Henrico is a county located in the Commonwealth of Virginia, a state of the United States. As of 2010, Henrico was home to 306,935 people. It is located in the Richmond-Petersburg region and is a portion of the Richmond Metropolitan Statistical Area...
and Chesterfield
Chesterfield County, Virginia
Chesterfield County is a county located in the Commonwealth of Virginia, a state of the United States. In 2010, its population was estimated to be 316,236. Chesterfield County is now the fourth-largest municipality in Virginia . Its county seat is Chesterfield...
with a fleet of over 200 diesel-powered transit bus
Transit bus
A transit bus , also known as a commuter bus, city bus, or public bus, is a bus used for short-distance public transport purposes...
es operating approximately 70 routes.
GRTC uses government-funded equipment and resources principally provided by the Federal Transit Administration
Federal Transit Administration
The Federal Transit Administration is an agency within the United States Department of Transportation that provides financial and technical assistance to local public transit systems. The FTA is one of ten modal administrations within the DOT...
(FTA), Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation
Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation
Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation is an agency of the Commonwealth of Virginia in the United States.According to its web site, the state agency's mission is "to improve the mobility of people and goods while expanding transportation choices in the Commonwealth."The three...
(VDRPT), and local funds. It also maintains equipment and has other affiliations with Petersburg Area Transit
Petersburg Area Transit
Petersburg Area Transit is a bus system for the Petersburg Tri-cities Area. There are twelve color coded routes that extend to such destinations as Virginia State University, Southpark Mall, and Fort Lee....
, a similar agency which also serves a portion of Chesterfield County.
Ownership and management
As a public service companyPublic service company
A public service company is a corporation or other non-governmental business entity which delivers public services - certain services considered essential to the public interest...
, GRTC is owned equally by the City of Richmond and neighboring Chesterfield County. Henrico County and Virginia Commonwealth University
Virginia Commonwealth University
Virginia Commonwealth University is a public university located in Richmond, Virginia. It comprises two campuses in the Downtown Richmond area, the product of a merger between the Richmond Professional Institute and the Medical College of Virginia in 1968...
(VCU) currently purchase services from it, but hold no ownership interest.
GRTC itself has no employees, and it has always been managed, staffed, and operated by a private transit management company, as was its predecessor, Virginia Transit Company (VTC).
Ownership history
In 1944, the Richmond transit bus system (and a similar one in Norfolk) was purchased by VTC, which became part of the United Transit Company the next year. In 1962, American Transportation Enterprises Inc. (ATE) acquired a controlling interest in United Transit Company. After World War IIWorld War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, public transit systems in the United States became unprofitable, and most were eventually converted to government-owned and funded operations. This trend included Virginia Transit Company operations in Richmond and Norfolk
Norfolk, Virginia
Norfolk is an independent city in the Commonwealth of Virginia in the United States. With a population of 242,803 as of the 2010 Census, it is Virginia's second-largest city behind neighboring Virginia Beach....
.
In 1972, federal, state and local funds were used to purchase the assets of the Virginia Transit Company, and a new public service company was set up, GRTC, which was wholly owned by the City of Richmond. A one-half interest was later purchased by Chesterfield County in the late 1980s. Henrico County declined to purchase a portion at that time.
Management history
After GRTC was formed, ATE, through a subsidiary, continued to provide management and employees, an ongoing relationship of over 60 years in the community, as ATE as of April 2008, continued to hold a controlling interest in GRTC Transit Services, Inc., the operating company. http://www.ridegrtc.com/FrontEnd/HTML/index.html. ATE itself was acquired by First Transit, the largest bus operating company in North America, a division of FirstGroup plcFirstGroup plc
FirstGroup plc is a public transport company, registered in Scotland at its headquarters in Aberdeen, operating in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Denmark, Sweden, Canada and the United States...
, a Scottish company. First Transit also owns Laidlaw Transit, the contractor which has operated GRTC's paratransit
Paratransit
Paratransit is an alternative mode of flexible passenger transportation that does not follow fixed routes or schedules. Typically mini-buses are used to provide paratransit service, but also share taxis and jitneys are important providers....
services since the late 1980s.
Color-coded routes, Express buses, and Park-and-Ride buses
There are five color routes that serve various neighborhoods of Richmond.- Blue route: 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 10, 11, 16—serving downtownDowntown Richmond, VirginiaDowntown Richmond, Virginia, is central urban area of that city. It is generally defined as being bound by Belvidere Street to the west, I-95 to the north and east, and the James River to the south.-Description:...
, the Fan districtFan districtThe Fan is a district of Richmond, Virginia, so named because of the "fan" shape of the array of streets that extend west from Belvidere Street, on the eastern edge of Monroe Park, westward to the Boulevard....
, Church HillChurch HillChurch Hill, also known as the St. John's Church Historic District, is an Old and Historic District in Richmond, Virginia. This district encompasses the original land plat of the city of Richmond. Church Hill is the eastern terminus of Broad Street, a major east-west thoroughfare in the Richmond...
and portions of The West EndThe West End (Richmond, Virginia)The West End is a part of Richmond, Virginia. The true West End covers only the western part of the city of Richmond though some consider western Henrico County part of the West End as well. As there is no one municipal organization that represents this specific region, the boundaries are loosely...
, south of Broad StreetBroad Street (Richmond, Virginia)Broad Street is a 15-mile long road located in the independent city of Richmond, Virginia and adjacent Henrico County. Broad Street is significant to Richmond due to the many commercial establishments that have been built along it throughout Richmond's history... - Purple route: 7, 56, 91—serving The East End with a very limited service to Richmond International AirportRichmond International Airport- Accidents and incidents :*In 1996, Eastwind Airlines Flight 517 from Trenton experienced loss of rudder control while on approach to Richmond, however rudder control was regained shortly after and the aircraft landed normally. There was one minor injury....
- Orange route: 18, 19—serving portions of The West EndThe West End (Richmond, Virginia)The West End is a part of Richmond, Virginia. The true West End covers only the western part of the city of Richmond though some consider western Henrico County part of the West End as well. As there is no one municipal organization that represents this specific region, the boundaries are loosely...
north of Broad StreetBroad Street (Richmond, Virginia)Broad Street is a 15-mile long road located in the independent city of Richmond, Virginia and adjacent Henrico County. Broad Street is significant to Richmond due to the many commercial establishments that have been built along it throughout Richmond's history... - Black route: 22, 24, 32, 34, 37, 93—serving the North SideNorth Side (Richmond Virginia)The North Side is an area composed of northern Richmond, Virginia and some parts of Henrico County, Virginia.The area is home to many diverse neighborhoods, especially early streetcar suburbs, including Barton Heights, Bellevue, Ginter Park, Washington Park, Hermitage Road, Highland Park, Sherwood...
and portions of The West EndThe West End (Richmond, Virginia)The West End is a part of Richmond, Virginia. The true West End covers only the western part of the city of Richmond though some consider western Henrico County part of the West End as well. As there is no one municipal organization that represents this specific region, the boundaries are loosely...
north of Broad StreetBroad Street (Richmond, Virginia)Broad Street is a 15-mile long road located in the independent city of Richmond, Virginia and adjacent Henrico County. Broad Street is significant to Richmond due to the many commercial establishments that have been built along it throughout Richmond's history... - Green route: 62, 63, 67, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 101—serving SouthsideSouthside (Richmond, Virginia)The Southside of Richmond is an area of the Metropolitan Statistical Area surrounding Richmond, Virginia. It generally includes all portions of the City of Richmond which lie south of the James River, and includes all of the former city of Manchester...
To complement Color-coded routes, Express buses run from downtown to various points with few or no stops. Express buses are as follows:
- Stony Point - 64
- Southside - 66
- Chesterfield - 81
- BrandermillBrandermillBrandermill is a major suburban residential and commercial development in the Southside of Richmond, Virginia. It is located near Midlothian, Virginia at the southern terminus of the Powhite Parkway and is centered around the Swift Creek Reservoir...
- 82 - PetersburgPetersburg, VirginiaPetersburg is an independent city in Virginia, United States located on the Appomattox River and south of the state capital city of Richmond. The city's population was 32,420 as of 2010, predominantly of African-American ethnicity...
and John Tyler Community CollegeJohn Tyler Community CollegeJohn Tyler Community College is a two-year, public institution of higher education and is the fifth largest of the 23 community colleges in Virginia. John Tyler is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, and offers 17 associate degree programs,...
in Chester - 95
Park-and-ride buses have parking lot
Parking lot
A parking lot , also known as car lot, is a cleared area that is intended for parking vehicles. Usually, the term refers to a dedicated area that has been provided with a durable or semi-durable surface....
s for commuters. GRTC Park-and-Ride Service is provided for the following routes:
- Parham Road - 23, 26
- Glenside Avenue - 23, 27
- White Oaks Village - 28
- Gaskins Road - 29
Finally, five GRTC routes serve the Virginia Commonwealth University
Virginia Commonwealth University
Virginia Commonwealth University is a public university located in Richmond, Virginia. It comprises two campuses in the Downtown Richmond area, the product of a merger between the Richmond Professional Institute and the Medical College of Virginia in 1968...
These are: 83-89 and 99.
Most routes converge on downtown Richmond
Downtown Richmond, Virginia
Downtown Richmond, Virginia, is central urban area of that city. It is generally defined as being bound by Belvidere Street to the west, I-95 to the north and east, and the James River to the south.-Description:...
near Richmond City Hall and the VCU Medical Campus on Broad Street
Broad Street (Richmond, Virginia)
Broad Street is a 15-mile long road located in the independent city of Richmond, Virginia and adjacent Henrico County. Broad Street is significant to Richmond due to the many commercial establishments that have been built along it throughout Richmond's history...
with the exception of routes 18, 91 and 93. Although Chesterfield County is a part owner of GRTC and the county is largely urbanized, there is no public transportation in Chesterfield aside from the Brandermill express run and the two routes (Midlothian Turnpike and Jefferson Davis Highway) that travel roughly half a mile over the city line and then turn back into the city of Richmond. Service in Henrico County is also very limited, with very little bus service in the northern part of the county, and none in the Varina area or Short Pump.
The GRTC bus garage, originally a streetcar facility, is located in the City at Robinson and Cary Streets. Petersburg Area Transit
Petersburg Area Transit
Petersburg Area Transit is a bus system for the Petersburg Tri-cities Area. There are twelve color coded routes that extend to such destinations as Virginia State University, Southpark Mall, and Fort Lee....
buses are also frequently serviced at this location. In 2007, a new facility was being developed near the intersection of Belt Boulevard and Midlothian Turnpike in South Richmond
Manchester, Virginia
Manchester, Virginia is a former independent city in Virginia in the United States. Prior to receiving independent status, it served as the county seat of Chesterfield County, between 1870 and 1876...
.
Numerical list of routes
A complete list of routes is as follows:- 01 -- MonumentMonument AvenueMonument Avenue, in Richmond, Virginia, is a premier example of the Grand American Avenue city planning style. The first monument, a statue of Robert E. Lee was erected in 1890. Between 1900 and 1925, Monument Avenue exploded with architecturally significant houses, churches and apartment buildings...
/Church HillChurch HillChurch Hill, also known as the St. John's Church Historic District, is an Old and Historic District in Richmond, Virginia. This district encompasses the original land plat of the city of Richmond. Church Hill is the eastern terminus of Broad Street, a major east-west thoroughfare in the Richmond...
pdf map - 02 -- Patterson Avenue/Church HillChurch HillChurch Hill, also known as the St. John's Church Historic District, is an Old and Historic District in Richmond, Virginia. This district encompasses the original land plat of the city of Richmond. Church Hill is the eastern terminus of Broad Street, a major east-west thoroughfare in the Richmond...
pdf map - 03—Robinson/Fairmount (Maymont/Fairfield Court)pdf map
- 04—Robinson/Fairmount (Carytown/Whitcomb Court)pdf map
- 06—Broad/East Main pdf map
- 07—Seven Pines pdf map
- 10—Riverview/Jefferson pdf map
- 11—17th Street pdf map
- 16—Grove pdf map
- 18—Henrico Shuttle pdf map
- 19—Pemberton Road pdf map
- 22—Hermitage pdf map
- 23—Glenside/Parham Road Park and Rides pdf map
- 24—Crestwood pdf map
- 26—Parham Road Park and Ride pdf map
- 27—Glenside Park and Ride pdf map
- 28—White Oaks Village Park and Ride pdf map
- 29—Gaskins Park and Ride pdf map
- 32—Ginter Park pdf map
- 34—Highland Park pdf map
- 37—Chamberlayne pdf map
- 56—South Laburnum pdf map
- 62—Hull Street pdf map
- 63—Midlothian pdf map
- 64—Stony Point Express pdf map
- 66—Spring Rock Green Express pdf map
- 67 -- Chippenham Express pdf map
- 70—Forest Hill via Huguenot Rd pdf map
- 71—Forest Hill via Chippenham Rd pdf map
- 72—Ruffin Road pdf map
- 73—Ampthill pdf map
- 74—Oakgrove pdf map
- 81—Chesterfield Express pdf map
- 82—Winterpock/Lowe's Park and Ride Express pdf map
- 83 -- VCU Monroe Park Campus Connector pdf map
- 84 -- VCU Campus Connector pdf map
- 86 -- VCU Medical Route pdf map
- 89 -- VCU Medical Center Evening pdf map
- 91—Laburnum Connector pdf map
- 93—Azalea Connector pdf map
- 95—Richmond - PetersburgPetersburg, VirginiaPetersburg is an independent city in Virginia, United States located on the Appomattox River and south of the state capital city of Richmond. The city's population was 32,420 as of 2010, predominantly of African-American ethnicity...
Express pdf schedule - 99 -- VCU Sanger Express pdf map
- 101—Southside Plaza/Belt Boulevard Connector pdf map
Paratransit service
GRTC's paratransitParatransit
Paratransit is an alternative mode of flexible passenger transportation that does not follow fixed routes or schedules. Typically mini-buses are used to provide paratransit service, but also share taxis and jitneys are important providers....
service in Richmond and Henrico County is provided by the CARE service, which is operated under contract by Laidlaw Transit, Inc.