GRTC Pulse to begin service in June

Richmond’s long-awaited bus rapid transit system, GRTC Pulse, opens to the public on June 24th.

Representatives from the commercial real estate community expect the project to spur development and boost property values around the line.

The 7.6-mile route will transport riders from Rocketts Landing in Richmond to Willow Lawn in Henrico County. The buses will run every 10 minutes during peak hours and every 15 minutes during off-peak periods. The fare to ride the Pulse is the same as local routes, $1.50 per ride or 75 cents for reduced fare customers.

“We are excited to see this project connect residents, workers and visitors in our city,” Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney said in a statement. “One quarter of the city’s population and two thirds of all jobs in Richmond are within a half mile of the Pulse. This new service, when integrated with our new Richmond Transit Network Plan, can become the transit heartbeat of our thriving city.”

The same day the Pulse service launches, significant transit improvements across Richmond will also take effect for GRTC riders. The City of Richmond’s new network with all new routes, numbers and increased frequencies launches June 24.

The line is sponsored by Bon Secours Richmond and VCU health systems. According to the Greater Richmond Transit Co., the project will be completed on budget and on time with the contractual completion date of June 30. Construction began in mid-August 2016.