More GRTC bus stops to have shelters and seating by 2027

The Greater Richmond Transit Company (GRTC) announced that at least half of all bus stops in the city of Richmond, Chesterfield County and Henrico County, Va., will soon have a more comfortable, accessible and dignified place for riders to wait for their ride. 

GRTC says five percent of GRTC’s 1,609 active local stops have a shelter and 21 percent have seating. Less than half of those stops predate the Americans with Disabilities Act and are not compliant. And most stops lacking adequate infrastructure are in low-income areas throughout Central Virginia. 

Under a plan approved by the agency's board of directors, GRTC will install 160 shelters and 225 benches over five years. Work is expected to begin in the summer of 2023. GRTC also will coordinate with jurisdictions to improve ADA compliance at stops to further the agency’s push to be more inclusive. 

“This is one of several GRTC strategic initiatives planned that aim to address the various impediments to transit access and ultimately inequities,” said GRTC Director of Planning and Scheduling Sam Sink. “GRTC champions social and economic mobility by prioritizing connecting people to essential human services and needs. With proper operational and capital investment, transit is a factor that can improve overall quality of life.” 

The Essential Transit Infrastructure (ETI) plan will cost between $11 million and $28.6 million, and be funded through a combination of local, state and federal grants. 

GRTC will use a scoring system that considers usage and equity to determine which stops qualify for improvements. Anyone may request a bench or shelter via email, through the GRTC website, or by calling.