06.14.2023

SUBSCRIBE | REFER

Today’s Forecast

49º | Sunny | 5% chance of rain
Sunrise 7:24 a.m. | Sunset 5:07 p.m.

🚌 All aboard for the State of Transit

Look inside the State of Transit in Richmond

A person stands inside an empty GRTC bus.

Public transit advocates highlight reduced carbon emissions compared to driving. | Photo by RICtoday

Local advocacy group RVA Rapid Transit has released its 2024 State of Transit Report. The document breaks down the current numbers around public transit in the Richmond Region and provides updates on the group’s advocacy goals.

We’re breaking down the report and how you can get involved in public transit in Richmond.

🚌 What is RVA Rapid Transit?

This year marks the tenth anniversary for RVA Rapid Transit, which began as a grassroots movement in 2014. The nonprofit advocates for the expansion of public transit in our region.

It also hosts public programs including Transit Talks and a multi-week training course for bus riders called Mobility University.

A GRTC bus pulled up to a bus stop at the new Downtown Transfer Station. A sign reads "Bay A." — GRTC will determine a permanent home for the Downtown Transfer Station soon.
|
Photo by RICtoday

🚏 Year in review

Last year, GRTC’s bus operator shortage was putting a crunch on the transit company. According to the report, GRTC hired 120+ employees within a 15 month span — as of April, it had 345 bus operators, compared to 246 in May 2023.

GRTC opened its temporary Downtown Transfer Station in fall 2023. It is in the midst of planning where the permanent location will be — the leading options are the current site or nearby at 9th and Clay Streets.

The company also launched the microtransit service LINK last fall, and has since added zones including Clover Dale, Ashland, and Powhatan.

The report also goes into GRTC’s plans to expand its services, including extending Route 1, improving frequency to the airport to 15 minutes, expanding the Pulse west to Parham Road, adding a North-South Bus Rapid Transit line, and adding articulated buses to GRTC’s fleet.

RICtoday_GRTC_LinkMicrotransit — The LINK pilot first launched in November 2023 in the Azalea/Mechanicsville zone.
|
Photo via GRTC

💸 Future

RVA Rapid Transit identifies several goals in the report, including extending GRTC’s zero-fare program past fiscal year 2025.

GRTC has a program called Transit Access Partnership to combine public and private funds. Private organizations can sign on at different levels to support fare-free service.

📢 Get involved

Groups, businesses, and individuals can Adopt a Bus Stop to take care of an individual stop. Riders can also fill out an online survey to share their thoughts on Richmond’s transit system.

The simplest way to support public transit is the group’s first recommendation — just riding the bus.

Asked

How often to you ride public transit?

A. Never
B. Occasionally
C. Often
D. Every day

Give your answer

Events

Wednesday, June 14

Richmond Film Network Short Film Series | Wednesday, June 14 | 7 p.m. | Movieland, 1301 N. Arthur Ashe Blvd., Richmond | $12-$15 | See a selection of short films, including three by Virginia filmmakers, and stay for a Q+A following the screenings.

Thursday, June 15

“Paris Is Burning” | Thursday, June 15 | 7 p.m. | The Byrd Theatre, 2908 W. Cary St., Richmond | $8 | The 1990 documentary follows drag queens and house culture in New York City.

Friday, June 16

Friday Cheers: Tank and the Bangas | Friday, June 16 | 6-9:30 p.m. | Brown’s Island, S. 9th St., Richmond | $10-$15 | Get your ticket for a night of hip-hop, funk, rock, and more on the island.
Desiree Roots and Friends | Friday, June 16 | 8 p.m. | Dogwood Dell, 600 S. Arthur Ashe Blvd., Richmond | Free | Head to the Dell for a concert as part of the Festival of Arts’ Juneteenth lineup of events.

Saturday, June 17

Family Day: Celebrate African & African American Art | Saturday, June 17 | 10 a.m.-1 p.m. | VMFA, 200 N. Arthur Ashe Blvd., Richmond | Free | Bring the family to create art, enjoy performances, explore the galleries, and see two new special exhibitions free of charge.
Kickers vs. Forward Madison FC | Saturday, June 17 | 7 p.m. | City Stadium, 3201 Maplewood Ave., Richmond | $16 | Cheer on the Roos at Pride Night with Black Pride RVA and Virginia Pride.

Saturday, March 9

Virginia Credit Union River City Half and 5K | Saturday, March 9 | 8 p.m. | University of Richmond, 410 Westhampton Way, Richmond | $30-$115 | Discover Richmond beyond downtown as you run over + along the James River in The Virginia Credit Union River City Half and 5K — Plan ahead for the Mar 9, 2024 race and beat the 6/15 price hike.*

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

Try This

Kids take flight at the “Moon to Mars” traveling summer exhibit

Try This: Kids take flight at the “Moon to Mars” traveling summer exhibit

Presented by a RICtoday Partner

Explore the past, present, and future of space travel at Children’s Museum of Richmond. | Photo by RICtoday

Do you know a future astronaut? “Moon to Mars,” the traveling summer exhibit at Children’s Museum of Richmond, provides the perfect training ground for kids ages 0-8 who are already reaching for the stars.

Senior City Editor Robin (hey, that’s me) checked out the new exhibit, which is filled to the brim with opportunities for children to collaborate, problem solve, and use their imaginations to reach the final frontier.

What we tried:

I saw kids and caregivers create their own rockets and set them off toward the stars. Turning paper nosecones and fins into space-worthy vehicles was a cause for celebration. Following the launch, kids can take the controls in the Orion Spacecraft, land on the moon, and traverse its surface on a lunar rover.

The morning I visited, several young explorers leaped across the surface and kicked moon rocks on their way to the climbable moon base.*

What not to miss

News Notes

Development

City Council approved the 7,500-seat amphitheater project to be located near Tredegar Iron Works. The unanimous vote gives the green light to Red Light Ventures to break ground this year. It could be hosting events as soon as spring 2025. (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

Civic

Richmond voters may again see a referendum on a South Richmond casino on their ballot in November. City Council voted in favor of a second referendum at its Monday meeting. The first referendum in 2021 failed with 51.4% of voters rejecting the proposal. (Richmond BizSense)

Regional

The Richmond Region is now the first in Virginia to establish a Tourism Improvement District. City Council followed Chesterfield, Hanover, Henrico, and Ashland in approving the TID. Now, hotels with 41+ rooms will charge a 2% fee to guests which will generate funds to increase tourism.

Community

Live in the Fan? Your current Fan District parking permit will expire Friday, June 30. New decals are on sale now for $25 to qualifying residents. Download the application and mail it in or drop it off at City Hall Room 102.

Arts

There’s a new mural in Battery Park. The portrait of Arthur Ashe was painted entirely with tennis balls in a project led by JVY Creations. It was completed in collaboration with Richmond Parks and Recreation and Mural MOBB, a group that involves local students in art projects.

Cause

Feed More is bringing back its Summer Food Service Program now that school is out. The program distributes free breakfast and lunch meals to children and teens across the region. Want to volunteer at Feed More? The group is looking for Meals on Wheels drivers in South Richmond and the Tri-Cities.

Sports

Chesterfield and Henrico will host the US Club Lacrosse National Championships next summer. From August 1-4, 2024, 192 teams will compete at River City Sportsplex and Glover Park.

Award

The ICA announced that it will start giving out an annual award to recognize creators whose work centers on contemporary art and education. The Common Prize will come with an award of $20,000 each for the two winners, which can be individuals or a group.

The Word

Sandía. Start using it in conversation in three weeks.*

Travel

✈️ How to protect your gut health while traveling

It’s very common for travel to wreak havoc on our digestive system, due to a number of factors from eating new foods to time changes (yes, “gut-lag” is a thing). | Photo by Pendulum

We’ve all been there: a sunny beach, a gorgeous new city, a cute little cabin — and then you feel the dreaded rumble. Your stomach doesn’t feel good, and you have to get to a bathroom, pronto.

Don’t let that happen to you. Before your next summer trip, brush up on five tips to keep your gut happy on the go:

1. Stay hydrated. Stick to (safe) tap or bottled water.
2. Pack probiotics. Pro tip: Sprint to checkout (instead of the bathroom) for 20% off Metabolic Daily with code 6AMCITY.

3 more gut-friendly travel tips

The Wrap

Robin Schwartzkopf in a red button down shirt

Today’s edition by:
Robin

From the editor

The French Open wrapped up over the weekend. Fun fact: Arthur Ashe won the doubles title of the 1971 contest with Marty Riessen. The new Battery Park mural is located near where Ashe first learned the game at Brook Field.

Missed our previous newsletter?

›

Send Us A Scoop, Question, or Feedback

Share the good news. Get rewarded.

Have someone who needs to stay in the know? Get amazing rewards for every new subscriber you bring by sharing your unique referral link (below).

Facebook

Twitter

{{profile.vars.rh_totref_22}} friends are looped into all things local because of you.

Claim your rewards

Content marked with an * is paid advertising. Content marked with an ^ is created by our content studio. The company may also generate commission from affiliate links in the newsletter.

Change your preferences or unsubscribe here.

P.O. Box 2505, Greenville, SC 29602

ADVERTISE | CAREERS | ETHICS | PRIVACY | THE BUY