Business View Magazine Feb 2023

183 BUSINESS VIEW MAGAZINE VOLUME 10, ISSUE 2 (GRTC) continues to offer progressive options to its riders throughout the region, with ongoing service improvements and upgrades that make it one of North America’s most efficient transit systems. “Our objective is to provide reliable, safe, and on-time transportation to our constituents,” shares CEO Sheryl Adams. She relays that GRTC will continue to offer zero-fare transportation in 2023 and 2024, something they have been doing since the start of the pandemic. “This will allow people to not have to worry about providing fares to catch the bus, but they can use those funds for other things such as food, shelter or housing.” This zero-fare initiative is due in part to Virginia’s Department of Rail and Public Transit (DRPT), which offered funding through a Transit Ridership Incentive Program (TRIP). Joe Dillard Jr., Equitable Innovation & Legislative Policy Director elaborates, “With the TRIP program, we were awarded a favorable circumstance with a local match requirement. What that GREATER R I CHMOND TRANS I T COMPANY SAFE, ACCESSIBLE AND PEOPLE-FOCUSED SOLUTIONS MBAKERINTL.COM Broad Street Corridor Bus Rapid Transit System Planning Richmond, Virginia meant was that if the DRPT was going to give us $4.5 million, a match from our local partners would be required to offset.” “Eventually it will be a step-down. In year one, DRPT is providing 80%. In year four they are providing 0%., local partners have been very supportive, and GRTC will continue to work with them on the sustainability of zero fares”. he adds. Evidence shows that the zero-fare program is a benefit in the region, where over 50% of riders make under $25,000 annually. “The accessibility and equity in the zero-fare program have shown value in improving quality of life. We are getting people around in a meaningful way. It is getting people from home to work. “ Dillard shared. One thing that was highlighted for GRTC during the pandemic was the fact that in the Richmond region, transit is an essential service. With ridership dropping across the country as people moved to remote work, Adams acknowledges, “Here in the city of Richmond, our ridership only dropped around 20% of where it was pre-pandemic, but we are now back to our pre- pandemic numbers. Something that we definitely learned is that we still provide service to a lot of essential workers to get to and from work.” Regular collaboration with the transportation planning organizations of each jurisdiction ensures that Greater Richmond Transit Company understands the needs of the rider base in each community. “Whenever we have any sort of changes within any of the routes, we’ll engage within the neighborhoods, to make sure we are actually reaching our riders. We’ll also take the next step of going on vehicles to provide information,” Chief Of Staff, Adrienne Torres conveys. Growth and expansion are also planned through a partnership with regional liaisons, and engagement with the community. As for community outreach, she acknowledges, “Our last survey showed that 92% of our riders are utilizing our system to go from home to work. So