Richmond, VA is working hard to improve local transportation options after being given a second wind by the Central Virginia Transportation Authority. In addition to extending two bus lines deeper...
Richmond, VA is working hard to improve local transportation options after being given a second wind by the Central Virginia Transportation Authority. In addition to extending two bus lines deeper into Chesterfield and Henrico, the system will also begin offering on-demand "micro-transit" service in Powhatan, Sandston, and Ashland. These places currently have little access to transit and officials hope that these changes will increase their connectivity to the rest of the region.
The bus line Route 1A will be extended eight miles west. Route 8 will be extended three miles north. Both lines will terminate at Walmarts, giving people a reason to actually take them and hopefully ensuring they remain self-sufficient.
"Micro-transit," which will be branded Link, functions basically like Uber Pool and will launch this year with service to the first of five approved zones beginning this fall, Bendon says.
How it works: Users within the zones download an app and request a ride for transportation within the zones. A smaller fleet, likely vans, will pick up riders throughout each zone. All five zones should be up and running by the end of June 2024.
The micro-zones Richmond is experimenting with are: Azalea Avenue/Washington Park, Ashland, North Chesterfield West, Powhatan, and Sandston/New Kent.
The article mentions other service improvements, such as 15-minute service on the Pulse line starting in September. A study for a westerly expansion of the line will begin next year. Work on additional Pulse lines will begin as soon as 2025. Lastly, the transit authority is finalizing approved extensions on Route 19 and Route 3B.
My takeaway: this kind of transportation work is essential to all systems. It's not big, and it's not flashy, but it's a series of these small extensions, service improvements, and mode experiments that actually change people's access to the services they need to live car-lite or car-free. The more public transportation options are available, the more life is accessible for people with a low income as well as those with disabilities or medical conditions that prevent them from driving.
We should celebrate these improvements even as we advocate for more!
Richmond, VA is working hard to improve local transportation options after being given a second wind by the Central Virginia Transportation Authority. In addition to extending two bus lines deeper into Chesterfield and Henrico, the system will also begin offering on-demand "micro-transit" service in Powhatan, Sandston, and Ashland. These places currently have little access to transit and officials hope that these changes will increase their connectivity to the rest of the region.
The bus line Route 1A will be extended eight miles west. Route 8 will be extended three miles north. Both lines will terminate at Walmarts, giving people a reason to actually take them and hopefully ensuring they remain self-sufficient.
The micro-zones Richmond is experimenting with are: Azalea Avenue/Washington Park, Ashland, North Chesterfield West, Powhatan, and Sandston/New Kent.
The article mentions other service improvements, such as 15-minute service on the Pulse line starting in September. A study for a westerly expansion of the line will begin next year. Work on additional Pulse lines will begin as soon as 2025. Lastly, the transit authority is finalizing approved extensions on Route 19 and Route 3B.
My takeaway: this kind of transportation work is essential to all systems. It's not big, and it's not flashy, but it's a series of these small extensions, service improvements, and mode experiments that actually change people's access to the services they need to live car-lite or car-free. The more public transportation options are available, the more life is accessible for people with a low income as well as those with disabilities or medical conditions that prevent them from driving.
We should celebrate these improvements even as we advocate for more!