GRTC Pulse Ridership Continues to Exceed Expectations

GRTC Pulse opened its doors to the public on Sunday June 24, 2018, with an incredible 56,952 riders during the first week of service when rides were also free. Now three months into revenue service, ridership has steadily increased since the week after free rides. There are now about 30,000 – 36,000 riders per week. On an average weekday, GRTC Pulse now carries more than 6,000 riders daily, far exceeding and almost doubling the goal of 3,500 daily riders.

Even Sundays are well above expectation. The ridership goal for Sundays (and holidays) is 1,600, but now the Pulse averages between 2,000 – 3,000 riders on Sundays.

Excitement about the new rapid service, coupled with free rides for VCU students, faculty and staff through the VCU-GRTC Pilot Program that began August 1, 2018, continues to support increased ridership on the Pulse. This week, Pulse weekday daytime frequencies increased to every 10 minutes. Pulse service operates until 1AM every night. The Pulse is GRTC’s busiest route, carrying approximately 20,000 more riders every week than GRTC’s next busiest route the 1A Chamberlayne/Hull/Midlothian.

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.