Transportation Transformation
by Katrina Lockhart

RICHMOND, Va. – The city of Richmond can see some changes in public transportation over the next few years. A study by GRTC Transit System, Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation, and Richmond Area Metropolitan Planning Organization is being conducted on improving the transit system, beginning with Broad Street. On February 24 a public meeting on a rapid transit system was held at the Children’s Museum of Richmond on West Broad Street. The purpose of the meeting was to inform and receive feedback from the public. Over the past ten years GRTC Transit System, DRPT and RAMPO have developed a strategy for a new regional transit framework. The proposed corridor for the study would occur on Broad Street. The purpose for a new system of public transportation is to increase mobility of already existing transit such as the GRTC bus system and to possibly create an improved transportation vehicle. John Lewis, Chief Executive Officer of GRTC spoke at the public scoping meeting last Wednesday. He shared the reasoning behind the proposed transit transformation in Richmond. “This will really be an exciting opportunity for Richmond. We’re talking about 700 buses a day riding up and down Broad Street. So what we’re looking to do is transform public transportation to make it rapid, efficient, and effective to give people options for their mobility” said Lewis. So far there is three different types of alternatives being studied; No Build Alternative, Baseline Alternative and a Build Alternative. The No Build Alternative is representative of no improvements. Baseline Alternative is the least costly. The Build Alternative will construct a new transit system altogether. The need for change in the transit system is evident. Paula Ward, a freshman at Virginia Commonwealth University, made it clear how important public transportation is to her. “The bus system is very important it helps me get to places a little bit farther than right on campus like Willow Lawn. As of now I think federal funding would be best to cover the cost of a new transit system” Ward said. A more effective transit system will cut travel times, serve as an alternative to congested highways, and be more convenient and reliable to transit users. Some people in Richmond don’t have any personal transportation, and public provided transit serves as a means of travel. K.B. Basseches, a former art education professor at VCU, believes her art business will appeal to students in the area, but lack of reliable transportation could prevent high student turn out. “I own a building that is in the area of concern. The railway system is the way to go. I think they need a light rail system that goes to Short Pump all the way to where their proposing at Rockets Landing and they need a segment that goes to the University of Richmond” said Basseches. A variety of questions were raised during the public scoping meeting such as where would funding come from and how would a different transit system effect parking. As far as funding is concerned the federal government offers a plan to help states who would like to build new transit system, but Virginia would be in competition with other states requesting funding. Most people are aware that parking in Richmond can be a hassle. Side street parking, parking meters, and no parking zones make parking in the city limited. Some members of the public believe that a new system could possibly interfere with the current bus/parking lanes. This would force parking to be scarce, or force the city to construct parking decks. It will be a while before a permanent plan is in effect for the city, but for now GRTC Transit System, DRPT and RAMPO are just looking to the public to voice their opinions and concerns about improved transportation.