Bus rapid transit is coming with lightrail to follow soon after (Norfolk: oceanfront, 2015)

[Octa]

Broad Street BRT:

:: GRTC - Mission 2015 ::

Study:

Broad Street Transit Improvements Study

Future GRT plans(with light rail):

:: GRTC - Mission 2015 - 2015 and Beyond ::

New bus line, running in median lanes along Broad Street, would open by 2015, running between Rockets Landing and Willow Lawn
By 2030, line would extend to Short Pump

Main source:

Planned Bus Rapid Transit Systems « The Transport Politic

I'm glad the cities doing as the city continues to grow instead of waiting until their are congestion issues like other cities. It'll hopefully lead to some more revitalization along Broad st and make it easier for people to travel downtown for events without needing their vehicle.

[richmondpics]

Octa, this is going to take a long time and will require funding, regional cooperation, and the will of decision makers in the process. Like you though, I would love to see it sooner than later.

[Octa]

Agreed. The biggest obstacle in my opinion will be public opinion depending on the political climate. BRT should be on the horizon since it's cheap to build compared to LRT. Hopefully over the next 15 years people will become used to it and see how advantageous it would be to have LRT.

[richmondpics]

Very true. The effort would be most successful w/ regional cooperation. Unfortunately, [Elephant in the room here] too many people in the counties think buses are only for poor, black people that will take their things and terrorize their families. They'll fight tooth and nail to prevent expanded bus service. Shame, b/c the perception of public transit is much better in many cities. Maybe a successful BRT starter line would change perceptions?

In the interim, I want GRTC to take a considerable look at its current bus lines and reevaluate their effectiveness. Many follow old trolley lines that do not connect the most people to the most places. For example, for years people have talked about a circulator linking Carytown w/ the Fan, then VCU, then downtown/Shockoe. The Bottom and Back bus (not part of GRTC) has demonstrated it can be successful. More importantly, transit needs to connect people w/ employment centers. Currently, GRTC needs approval from local govt on whether or not it can move, remove, or create lines.... stream lining the process would make them more effective.

[Go-Richmond-VA]

One would have to be able to move boulders and buildings to be able to get our dumb City Council to budge....

GRTC's bus lines need to expand more into the suburbs. Better yet, LRT or at least BRT would NOT hurt at all!

And besides, think of all the traffic coming into the area when UCI 2015 comes! WHAT WILL WE DO THEN? Downtown'll be GRIDLOCKED.

[Octa]

Originally Posted by richmondpics

Very true. The effort would be most successful w/ regional cooperation. Unfortunately, [Elephant in the room here] too many people in the counties think buses are only for poor, black people that will take their things and terrorize their families. They'll fight tooth and nail to prevent expanded bus service. Shame, b/c the perception of public transit is much better in many cities. Maybe a successful BRT starter line would change perceptions?

In the interim, I want GRTC to take a considerable look at its current bus lines and reevaluate their effectiveness. Many follow old trolley lines that do not connect the most people to the most places. For example, for years people have talked about a circulator linking Carytown w/ the Fan, then VCU, then downtown/Shockoe. The Bottom and Back bus (not part of GRTC) has demonstrated it can be successful. More importantly, transit needs to connect people w/ employment centers. Currently, GRTC needs approval from local govt on whether or not it can move, remove, or create lines.... stream lining the process would make them more effective.

I remember reading at one time that the reason the GRTC routes don't run out to Short Pump has to do with residents not wanting poor people being bussed over there. They're trying to build a light rail in Va Beach and many people don't want one being built for the same reason( it would connect with Norfolks and run to the oceanfront).

Do you happen to have a map of the old trolley routes? And I think a route on Cary/Main would be good as well. I've taken the Bottom and Back several times and seen how effective it is,but do think it's a little to small for the amount of people that ride it. It would be better to have a GRTC bus running that route during the day and at least until 3 on the weekend nights. Many cities that have light rails and subways that run later during the weekend to accommodate people coming back from bars.

Originally Posted by Go-Richmond-VA

One would have to be able to move boulders and buildings to be able to get our dumb City Council to budge....

GRTC's bus lines need to expand more into the suburbs. Better yet, LRT or at least BRT would NOT hurt at all!

And besides, think of all the traffic coming into the area when UCI 2015 comes! WHAT WILL WE DO THEN? Downtown'll be GRIDLOCKED.

Is it really the city council or the people in the surrounding neighborhoods outside of downtown?

[hgnmx]

A plan to extend bus service to short pump in 20 years doesn't impress me

[Octa]

Originally Posted by hgnmx

A plan to extend bus service to short pump in 20 years doesn't impress me

Yes that is unfortunate, but that's probably the nature of the beast. People living over in Henrico will probably criticize it every step of the way and given the current political climate, will probably be vocal about funding and being over taxed even if it's already funded and funding is coming from the federal government.

[pantin23]

Light rail on Cary and broad could be very profitable

[ClarkStreetKid]

As a Western Henrico person GRTC will have to prove they can do better than they have. The hours for the Park and Ride stink.

The other issue with a Broad Street line is crossing Broad to get to and from the stops. Try it during rush hour if you're looking for a thrill or have a death wish.