GRTC Pulse Begins Service June 24, 2018

GRTC Pulse opens its doors to the public on Sunday June 24, 2018. The project will be completed in budget and on time with the contractual completion date of June 30, 2018. 

GRTC Pulse is a modern, high quality, high capacity rapid transit system that serves a 7.6-mile route along Broad Street and Main Street, from Rocketts Landing in the City of Richmond to Willow Lawn in Henrico County. GRTC Pulse is jointly sponsored by Bon Secours Richmond Health System and VCU Health System. The Pulse links the public to many exciting destinations, businesses, services and restaurants.

“We are excited to see this project connect residents, workers and visitors in our city,” said 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 Honorable Frank J. Thornton, chairman of the Henrico County Board of Supervisors, said, “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.”

Prior to opening to the public, Lane Construction will continue with some remaining work at the 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. Please watch for workers who may be in the roadway, along sidewalks and at stations. Slow down and maintain a safe driving distance when passing through these areas.

Additionally, GRTC’s Operational Exercises will continue into May. During this increased period of GRTC Operational Exercises, drivers, cylists and pedestrians are encouraged to pay close attention to traffic signage, lane markings and signalization. Please note there may be new travel patterns in place. For everyone’s safety, please do not drive, bike, walk, or skateboard in Bus Only lanes. Bicyclists are welcome to use the Downtown Bus Only lanes between 4th and 14th Sts., and drivers are permitted to make right-turns from these Downtown Bus Only lanes. Please yield to pedestrians in crosswalks. Pedestrians, please do not walk down the median; use sidewalks and marked crosswalks. Remain alert for Pulse buses and bus movements that may be different from neighboring lanes.

GRTC CEO David Green emphasized, “Our team is excited to welcome the public aboard on June 24th to experience a world-class bus rapid transit service. 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.”

The same day the Pulse service launches, significant transit improvements across Richmond will also take effect for GRTC riders. The city of Richmond’s new network with all new routes, numbers and increased frequencies launches June 24, 2018. GRTC has teamed up with the city of Richmond to rework our area's transit system through the Richmond Transit Network Plan - and the result will mean faster, more consistent service throughout the day, along with easier connections. Riders can also expect very similar service on weekdays and Saturdays with several new high-frequency bus routes north-south and east-west. These new city routes make it even easier to connect with the Pulse and reach destinations faster. The new City network lays the groundwork for us to keep serving this vibrant, growing region.

Several Henrico County service adjustments will also begin Pulse launch week on Monday, June 25, 2018. 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. Taking advantage of the efficiency provided by the Pulse, 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 Gaskin Roads at the Gayton Crossing Shopping Center. Additional Henrico County transit expansions are planned for Fall 2018.