Bird's Eye View: Plans for Transit in RVA!

There are a lot of plans, studies, and public meetings going on these days, so for bird's eye clarity's sake, here come the excellent opportunities underway right this red hot second for us to enhance transit, as well as transit-oriented development, for RVA. Hold on to your hats: 

Transit Plans

(1) Richmond Regional Transit Vision Plan, should finish fall 2016 - This is a long-term plan to envision transit development in our region through 2040. This plan should be complete in fall 2016 and has its next round for public input coming up in June (more info on that via link above). This plan also has a highlights reel. party on.   

(2) Richmond Transit Network Plan, should finish January 2017 - This plan is the incredibly unique chance to enhance the GRTC bus network paid for by the City (so this plan is distinct from the "Richmond Regional TransitVision Plan" above). This is also the plan that all star Jarrett Walker + Associates is helping with and that just completed its first round of public meetings, which we were encouraging everyone to attend. Many of you have also checked out the online survey for this RTNP - thank you!

Land Use Plans

(1) Broad and E. Main St Corridor Plan, should finish fall 2016/winter 2017 - This is the land use planning that the GRTC Pulse/BRT will so excellently complement. Amplified economic redevelopment (jobs, culture, restaurants, housing, etc.) along the corridor here we come. For the Greater Fulton community, there is also a Ladders of Opportunity Transportation Empowerment Pilot Initiative (from U.S. Department of Transportation) going on as well, which will tie in very nicely with Richmond TransitNetwork Plan above too. 

(2) Northern Jefferson Davis Corridor Plan, should have draft ready for public view in fall 2016 - This is a special area plan being undertaken by Chesterfield County (yeah Chesterfield!). One key goal for us is to be sure transit along Jeff Davis is included in the plan. We'll be working to express this need and organize this call over the summer and fall, so if you'd like to learn more on that front or help with it, just shout out to rvarapidtransit@gmail.com.

What Can We Learn from Houston?

So what can we learn from the recent (2015) revamp of Houston's bus system, undertaken with the help of Jarrett Walker and Associates? Turns out a lot of encouraging things about connectivity, community driven process, and frequency -- check out this cool video on Houston, "High Frequency: Why Houston Is Back on the Bus." 

And if you haven't had a chance yet, please do send in your input through the online survey for the first phase of our very own Richmond TransitNetwork Plan, which as we know is currently underway with the help of J. Walker's crew. You can see a few FAQ's about the plan here too. We'll be in touch about future meetings and opportunities for input in phase two.  

Richness of the City

Don't forget we've got two more cracks at the first round of public meetings for the crucial Richmond Transit Network Plan (RTNP): 6-8 pmTuesday, May 3 (DMV, 2300 W Broad St) and 12-2 pm Wednesday, May 4 (Richmond Main Public Library, 101 E Franklin St). If you can't make one of these meetings though, be sure to take 5-10 min to take the Online Survey: Richmond Transit Network Plan if you haven't yet. Share your perspective around wait times v. walking distance, ridership v. coverage, all day v. peak service. Your input is critical to deciding what kind of transitnetwork we need and want for RVA. good times. 

A few excellent reads for us: 1) "Jarrett Walker equates transit with freedom, individual liberty," in which Walker presses point that qualitytransit is about people being able to answer the question positively, "How much of the city's richness is available to me?" (RVA Richness for all here we come!); and 2) an oldie but a goodie, "All Aboard?" in which Rev. Ben Campbell powerfully details the call for metro-wide system. 

Take the Online Survey (RTNP)

The public meetings for our once in a lifetime Richmond Transit Network Plan (RTNP) are rolling right along. Many thanks to those who made it out this week. There will be two more chances coming up on 6-8 pm Tuesday, May 3 (DMV, 2300 W Broad St, 23230), and 12-2 pm Wednesday, May 4 (Richmond Main Public Library, 101 E Franklin St, 23219) for this first phase of the plan. 

If you can't make a meeting though, you can still participate in this first part via the Online Survey: Richmond Transit Network Plan. Carve out 5-10 min and join the excitement. Do you care more about short wait times or short walking distance to a bus stop? Do you think our primary goal should be high ridership or more expansive coverage (perhaps even Jeff Davis/Rt 1 in Chesterfield?! just saying)? Should we focus on all-day service or peak hour service? 

Your input is vital and will be incorporated into the plan, so spread the word! Post on Facebook! Send forth telegrams! And here is a cool post describing some of these overarching transit choices before us: "Jarrett Walker: Empty Buses Serve a Purpose."