First Broad Street Rapid Transit Meeting Tonight!

The first of two identical public forums on GRTC's plans for a rapid transit line running from Rocket's Landing to Willow Lawn is tonight, 6-8pm at the DMV near the Science Museum. The forum I went to last year on this topic was great, and they made a huge effort to listen to the public's suggestions and concerns. If it is anything like last year there will be posterboards set up with their plans, and the relevant people involved in the planning standing next to the boards to field questions. The presentation on the plan will begin at 7pm, and will be followed by a question and answer period. (See more details below).

The transit trip time from Rocket's Landing to Willow Lawn currently takes about 30 minutes, while the same trip by car takes about 10 minutes. Rapid transit will transform Richmond City, cutting down on the transit trip time, and encouraging more people to use transit instead of driving. Rapid transit would help ease congestion on problematic Broad St., making it easier for both drivers and non-drivers to get around the city. Please this fantastic opportunity at the meetings or online to have your voice heard, and keep the momentum going for rapid transit.

I also hope that the idea of the Main Street transportation hub comes up at the meeting. Main Street Station seems like the ideal location to have centralized train, bus, bike, and taxi service, but there has been some opposition to this idea in the past. Let's help make this city more interconnected, help improve the quality of life for people who use alternate modes of transportation, and help ease traffic congestion for all. Speak up for rapid transit and centralized transportation in Richmond!

Study website:  http://study.ridegrtc.com

Public Meeting Reminder

Please join us to improve transit service and traffic conditions on Broad Street. Public information meetings are scheduled for October 19 and 20, 2010.  The study team will show you several ways how Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) can use a combination of enhanced transit services, stations, and roadway improvements to provide faster, more efficient transit service in Richmond and Henrico County.

Tuesday, October 19, 2010

Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV-Beside the Science Museum)

2300 W. Broad St., Richmond

Wednesday, October 20, 2010

Main Street Station

1500 East Main St., Richmond

Limited free parking available on west side of building- West Lot at 15th and East Franklin.

These informal meetings are identical and will be held from 6 p.m. –8 p.m. with a presentation at 7 p.m.

Can’t make the meeting? Please send your comments by November 19, 2010.

Visit the study website to learn more http://study.ridegrtc.com. We encourage you to review the Public Meeting Handout found on the Documents page of the website or under Quick Links below before completing this form.  You may send your comments in one of the following ways:

·         Electronic Comment Form

·         Printed Comment Form

·         Mail: Larry Hagin, Director of Planning; GRTC Transit System; 301 East Belt Blvd., Richmond, VA 23224

Quick Links:

Study Web site

Public Meeting Handout

Study Corridor Map (More detailed version, showing potential bus stations)

Learn About Bus Rapid Transit (Federal Transit Administration site)

GRTC Web site

DRPT Web site