This week in transit: Rt 1 North

AROUND THE REGION

There are a few meetings coming up for CVTA as well as GRTC. The second full meeting of the CVTA will be 8:30 am next Fri, Oct 30, in socially distanced & masked person at Henrico County's Training Center, which is accessible by the 18 Henrico Government Center line. The CVTA is largely continuing to build out its organizational components (agenda here), but you can check out last week's Transit Spotlight for info on its draft budget and some key upcoming issues, including regional transit as well as transit governance.

The meeting can be seen on PlanRVA's Youtube Channel (#1 new contender for home of fun) or you can be there in socially distanced & masked person. Public comment opportunities occur toward the beginning and end of the meeting, and you can also email in a public comment to CVTA@planrva.org (ideally by 5 pm on Oct 29).

The next GRTC Board meeting is bright and early at 8:00 am on Tues, Oct 27. The Board will be meeting remotely, but folks can watch the meeting via GRTC's Youtube Channel (reigning champion home of fun) and the agenda is here. Public comments sent in via email to carrie.rosepace@ridegrtc.com by 5:00 pm Mon, Oct 26, will be read during the public comments portion of the meeting.

TRANSIT SPOTLIGHT - RT 1 NORTH

This week's Transit Spotlight takes a closer look at proposed public transit expansions for Rt 1 North. As you'll recall, the "Greater RVA Transit Vision Plan: Near-Term Strategic Technical Analysis" (NSTA for short?) was recently adopted by our RRTPO (Richmond Regional Transportation Planning Organization).

The NSTA study examines expansions for our public transit network, with an emphasis on corridors bearing potential for high-frequency bus lines. You can see the analysis of Rt1 North here (pgs "A-44" through "A-50"). As you know, bus lines 1A, 1B, and 1C presently run along Chamberlayne Ave to Azalea Ave/the Brookhill Azalea Shopping Center and constitute a ridership powerhouse of the current system.

The NSTA study proposes growing public transit service about 2.5 miles farther up Rt 1/along Brook Rd to Parham Rd. That growth would get St. Joseph's Villa, the First Tee renovation of Belmont Golf Course, Walmart, as well as a host of other jobs and neighborhoods along the way on a good bus line. With a bit of needed/creative work, this growth could also get Reynolds Community College (Parham Campus) more squarely on this bus line.

Now, growth is good! Expanding service along Brook Rd up to Parham would be a very solid, incremental step in the right direction. We always need to keep our eye on the region's full Greater RVA Transit Vision Plan (map on pg. 4) too and bringing a comprehensive, effective regional public transit system to fruition. For instance, enormous potential also lies in connecting in Ashland via Rt 1 North as well as Virginia Center Commons and all the redevelopment afoot there (and the study does call for examining express service to Ashland, as well as regular service to Virginia Center Commons).

With steps like all the above on Rt 1, we can keep growing into a full system that powerfully connects the region, affording everyone the opportunity to lead healthier, more productive, and more interconnected lives.

Nelson Reveley
Director of Operations, RVA Rapid Transit

This week in transit: Mayorathon complete & CVTA funding spotlight

AROUND THE REGION

Mayorathon is now complete! You can see recordings of all the forums, held for each city council district race plus the mayoral race. Check them out to learn about candidates' respective views on public transit and related key issues (transportation got specific shout outs, for instance, in the mayoral forum at minutes 12:10-16:05; 39:00-42:25; 46:30-54:00; and 1:27:50-1:34:20).

For city folks looking to vote early in socially distant person, remember that GRTC is offering a shuttle from City Hall to the Office of the General Registrar's new location on Laburnum. For Henrico folks, no local elections afoot this year of course, but you can still access the Eastern Government Center via Route 7A/7B Nine Mile and the Western Government Center via Route 18 Henrico Government Center to vote early in person.  

On a different note, the recording of the Route 77 Grove Ave Community Meeting has been posted for any who want to circle back around on last week's Transit Spotlight and check it out. 

 

TRANSIT SPOTLIGHT - CVTA ACTIVITY & FUNDING 

Transit Spotlight is a new-ish feature that lets us look a little more closely at an aspect of public transit in general or an element of our network in particular. This week's Transit Spotlight focuses on CVTA activity and funding. 

The CVTA was back in action this past week, with the CVTA Technical Advisory Committee meeting this past Tuesday and the CVTA Finance Committee meeting this past Wednesday. See links above for recordings and accompanying documents from the meetings.

Two important topics that were discussed are the draft/proposed studies for the Regional Public Transportation Plan (i.e., where the 15% of CVTA funds dedicated to GRTC could most effectively be spent) as well as the Report on Transit Governance for our region (i.e., what are ways transit service could most effectively be governed). Clearly, these are key studies and issues, and we'll be delving into these topics more deeply in the weeks and months ahead.

For now, here is a highlight on the CVTA's revenue streams and how they are allocated. The CVTA's funds flow from increases in the regional sales tax as well as gas taxes. The pre-pandemic revenue estimate was $179.5 million for Fiscal Year 2021. The adjusted mid-pandemic forecast is that these taxes will generate $136.9 million for FY 2021. Post-pandemic, revenues are estimated to get back on par with (if not exceed) original projections by FY 2023. But you can see all projections for FY 2021 through FY 2026 in the Finance Committee's agenda packet from Sept 18 (see pg. 7). You can also check out the current draft budget from the most recent Finance Committee meeting (pg. 18-19). 

Those funds will be allocated as follows (with quotations from the CVTA legislation in the Code of Virginia: § 33.2-3701. Central Virginia Transportation Fund, and allocation estimates from the current draft budget above). 

35% for Regional Transportation Projects: 35% of revenue goes to "transportation-related purposes" that benefit the CVTA localities. Use of this funding is planned and decided by CVTA, with staff support likely from PlanRVA. For current projections, that'd be about $47.7 million. 

15% for Regional Public Transportation: 15% of revenue goes to GRTC "to provide transit and mobility services" (a.k.a. "regional public transportation") for CVTA localities. Use of this funding is planned and ultimately decided by GRTC, but CVTA annually approves GRTC's regional transportation plan/priorities for these funds (this appears to be the process as I can discern it, but CVTA is just getting up and operational). For current projections, that'd be about $20.5 million. 

50% for Localities' Respective Transportation Projects: 50% of revenue is "returned, proportionally, to each locality...to be used to improve local mobility, which may include construction, maintenance, or expansion of roads, sidewalks, trails, mobility services, or transit located in the locality." These funds used as each locality respectively sees fit. For current projections, that'd be about $68.2 million proportionally distributed.  

The next full CVTA meeting is coming up 8:30 am - 12:00 pm Friday, Oct 30. Agenda and accompanying documents will be posted as we get closer!


Nelson Reveley
Director of Operations, RVA Rapid Transit

This week in transit: CVTA Schedule & 77 Transit Spotlight

AROUND THE REGION

The meeting schedules for the CVTA (Central Virginia Transportation Authority) and related committees and/or work groups have been posted! Three cheers! As the date for each meeting approaches, more meeting info will be posted and available via PlanRVA's handy calendar as usual (agendas, slides, ways to watch and/or participate, etc.).

Full CVTA Meetings
Fri, Oct 30, 8:30 am - 12:00 pm
Fri, Dec 4, 8:30 am - 12:00 pm

CVTA Finance Committee Meetings
Wed, Oct 14, 8:30 am - 12:00 pm
Tues, Nov 9, 8:30 am - 12:00 pm
Wed, Dec 9, 8:30 am - 12:00 pm 

CVTA Technical Advisory Committee
Tues, Oct 13, 1:00 pm - 2:30 pm
Tues, Nov 9, 1:00 pm - 2:30 pm
Mon, Dec 7, 1:00 pm - 2:30 pm

Public Transportation Work Group (technically part of RRTPO rather than CVTA, but this working group is helping advise the Regional Public Transportation Plan that GRTC is charged with creating. That plan will be used to "annually prioritize regional transit projects and spending needs" for the 15% of CVTA revenue automatically dedicated to GRTC) 
Mon, Nov 2, 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm 
Mon, Dec 7, 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm (likely, but TBA)

In other news, Mayorathon is coming to an exciting conclusion. Tune in 6:30 pm on Mon, Oct 12, to hear 8th district candidates' respective views on public transit and related key issues - ditto for mayoral candidates on Wed, Oct 14! You can watch recordings of all Mayorathon events here.  

TRANSIT SPOTLIGHT - 77 GROVE AVE 

Transit Spotlight is a new feature in which we get to look a little more closely at an aspect of public transit in general or an element of our network in particular. Today in Transit Spotlight we have the updated 77 Grove Ave line. 

You can see the former, fairly squiggly 77 with the new, more intuitive version in this presentation from a public meeting back in February (see pgs 6-7). A bit more background is also available from this online public meeting in July regarding this and other service updates.

The updated 77 echoes the old Route 16 and has been in GRTC's plans to get back in action as the budget allowed (Transit Development Plan, "pdf" pgs. 15, 146-147). While the new 77 does not get downtown, it connects well with the Pulse and the newly updated/extended 50 Broad St (as well as the rest of the system), and it is a very useful addition to our transit network for at least three reasons. 

1) UR (Jobs & Education): It finally links the University of Richmond to our public transit network! The new 77 particularly improves access between UR/West End and Southside when folks come up Route 1 on the 3A, 3B, or 3C, but clearly also from the East End and Northside as well. 

2) Intuitive Line to Use: Running in an almost entirely straight line along Grove Ave, the 77 is a very easy and intuitive bus line to use. Most everybody likes to travel in as straight a line as possible when going from place to place (just like when walking, biking, or driving, direct routes for bus lines are refreshing, circuitous trips tiring). 

3) Public Transit Use: It affords everyone along the 77 the chance to lean into the Richmond 300: A Guide for Growth vision for a city that prioritizes: 

"[T]he movement of people over the movement of vehicles through a safe, reliable, equitable, and sustainable transportation network. Walking, biking, and transit options are the most convenient and used forms of transportation in Richmond, thereby improving the natural environment and our health. Richmond's multi-modal transportation system is high-quality and easy for all people to use regardless of income and physical abilities, seamlessly connecting Richmond neighborhoods and attractions to each other, the region, and the nation" (Richmond 300, pg. 107).

GRTC will be having an online community meeting 5:00-6:00 pm on Wed, Oct 14, to discuss feedback on the updated 77 and give an overview of bus stop locations. A live Q&A will be included, but folks are encouraged to send in comments ahead of time as well via email to Carrie Rose Pace at carrie.rosepace@ridegrtc.com. 

 
Nelson Reveley
Director of Operations, RVA Rapid Transit

This week in transit: John Thrower

CONDOLENCE

GRTC bus Operator, John Thrower, lost his life to COVID-19 last week. His family, co-workers, and friends held a vigil for him yesterday evening, and his wife Tracey Thrower called on everyone (all of us) to take COVID seriously: "Just take it seriously guys. Do what you’re supposed to do to keep yourself safe, to keep your family safe. Because we don’t want this to happen again." 

She shared as well, “John, he was the best you hear me. He was my soulmate.... His bubbly smile. His loving personality. Everyone knew him, he talks to everybody.” And GRTC CEO, Julie Timm, echoed, "He was a bright and beautiful soul, and I was always inspired by the positive light he cast here at GRTC. I mourn this tragic loss to our family and our community." 

The RTD highlights the ways, "Thrower’s death personifies the risk posed by COVID-19 to essential, public-facing employees and African Americans, who are more likely to fall ill with the disease because of the disproportionate rates of underlying health conditions." Those disproportionate rates, of course, stemming from generationally deep, systemic barriers to things like health care, housing, transportation, education, nutritious food, and employment that we must address as a society. 

We send our condolences to Mr. Thrower's family. Please remember that GRTC is still operating under COVID precautions (wear your mask, only ride for essential trips, zero fares, and social distance). 
 

AROUND THE REGION

As noted last week, RVA Rapid Transit is seeking a full-time Director of Community Engagement to spearhead advocacy for core bus riders' stories, concerns, and interests in local decisions about public transportation. You can see more at rvarapidtransit.org/dce. If you know someone you think might be a good fit or you think you might be a good fit, certainly encourage them/yourself to apply (and feel wildly free to spread the word in general).

The final version of Richmond 300: A Guide for Growth has been released! This is the comprehensive plan to guide Richmond's growth for roughly the next two decades, and the aspiration it casts for "Equitable Transportation" is powerful: 

Vision: Richmond prioritizes the movement of people over the movement of vehicles through a safe, reliable, equitable, and sustainable transportation network. Walking, biking, and transit options are the most convenient and used forms of transportation in Richmond, thereby improving the natural environment and our health.

You can see the corridors highlighted for high-frequency public transit on pages 76-77 of the Final Plan, and the section on Equitable Transportation starts on page 132 as well. But the entire plan just lives and breathes multi-modal mobility beautifully. It will be going before the City's Planning Commission this Monday, October 5. 

As a reminder, PlanRVA is also presently working on its long-range transportation plan (LRTP) to guide "the region's transportation investments over the next 20 years." See connectrva2045.org for more info, and if you haven't yet, fill out the online survey to help define the plan's goals, vision, and strategies for a transit-oriented future. 

In other news, the next meeting date for the full CVTA (Central Virginia Transportation Authority) is still TBA, and Mayorathon continues to rock and roll. Tune in to hear about City Council and Mayoral candidates' respective views on public transit as well as other key issues. 


Nelson Reveley
Director of Operations, RVA Rapid Transit