Plus, Richmonder sets half marathon record
 
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Today’s Forecast

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

🎉 Happy birthday, GRTC

50+ years of GRTC history
RICtoday_GRTCHistory_VirginiaTransitCompany
Public transit has a long history in Richmond. | Photo courtesy GRTC
The Greater Richmond Transit Company is turning 50 this year. The public service company was founded in 1973 when federal, state, and local funds were pooled to purchase the assets of the Virginia Transit Company — but there’s a long road of history even before that.

🚌 Transit history

Richmond’s public transit endeavors made headlines in 1887, when it opened the first public electric streetcar system in the world. Decades later, buses would replace streetcars as the primary form of public transit.

In 1944, the Virginia Transit Company took the reins in Richmond and Norfolk and would continue to operate the fleet until the 1970s, when the Greater Richmond Transit Company was born.

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Fred Brown, Herman Marsh, Larry Richie, and Granville Smithers celebrate GRTC’s first anniversary in 1974.

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Photo courtesy GRTC

The next few decades would see continuous change and expansion as the system grew into the GRTC Richmonders would recognize today. At first, the company was wholly owned by the City of Richmond. In 1989, Chesterfield County came on board as part-owners. The company’s purple and black color scheme was introduced in 1995.

A new millennium meant a new name as the company became officially known as GRTC Transit System. The change was meant to reflect the expansion of services offered by the company; however, GRTC announced this month that it will be known simply as GRTC going forward.

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Electric GRTC buses began operating in 1996.

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Photo courtesy GRTC

🚏 The road ahead

The name change announcement came with reminders about the future of GRTC. The company is eyeing a westward expansion and a North-South version of the Pulse bus rapid transit line. GRTC also teased a soon-to-be-announced microtransit brand.

Help shape the future of GRTC by completing the Transit Priorities Survey. Rider responses will help design GRTC’s 10-year plan for improving service — and it should only take around five minutes to complete. The survey will be open until Friday, July 14.
Quiz

What year did the first air-conditioned GRTC buses begin operation?
A. 1945
B. 1957
C. 1966
D. 1973
Take a guess
Woodfin
 
Events
Wednesday, July 5
  • Richmond SPCA Fundraiser at Torchy’s Tacos | Wednesday, July 5 | 10 a.m.-10 p.m. | Torchy’s Tacos Carytown, 3510 W. Cary St., Richmond | Cost of purchase | Dine in or take out and 15% of your purchase will benefit homeless pets in need — make sure to mention Richmond SPCA.
  • “La Jetée” and “The City of Lost Children” | Wednesday, July 5 | 7 p.m. | The Byrd Theatre, 2908 W. Cary St., Richmond | $8 | See two innovative science fiction films on the big screen.
Thursday, July 6
  • Flowers After 5: Hazeltone | Thursday, July 6 | 5-9 p.m. | Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, 1800 Lakeside Ave., Richmond | $0-$17 | Enjoy regional roots-rock inspired by The Doors, John Mayer, and Neil Young.
  • Flying Squirrels vs. Bowie Baysox | Thursday, July 6 | 6:35 p.m. | The Diamond, 3001 N. Arthur Ashe Blvd., Richmond | $10-$25 | Cheer on the Squirrels and meet fellow Hoos at UVA Night.
Friday, July 7
  • A Summer Yard Sale | Friday, July 7-Sunday, July 9 | Times vary | The Virginia Cliffe Inn, 2900 Mountain Rd., Glen Allen | Free entry | Shop decor, plates, glass wares, furniture, flowers, and more at this weekend-long sale.
  • Last Stop | Friday, July 7 | 5-9 p.m. | Institute for Contemporary Art, 601 W. Broad St., Richmond | Free | DJs, lyricists, and local vendors will take over First Fridays at the ICA for a music showcase.
  • Plunky & Oneness | Friday, July 7 | 8 p.m. | Dogwood Dell, 600 S. Arthur Ashe Blvd., Richmond | Free | Bring a blanket or chairs for this Festival of Arts jazz fusion concert.
More July fun
Click here to have your event featured.
News Notes
Eat
  • There’s a new eatery open in the former Pies and Pints location near VCU. Rams House is the latest spot from the Lindsey Food Group, the married duo behind Lillie Pearl and ML Steak. The bar and kitchen has 36 taps and a menu including pizza, wings, and sliders. (Richmond Times-Dispatch)
Open
  • Indoor pickleball facility Bangers and Dinks is now open near Chesterfield Towne Center. It’s an open-play model, meaning prospective players can purchase day passes or monthly memberships to play, no court reservations required. (Richmond BizSense)
Civic
Richmonder
  • A Richmonder is now the fastest American woman to run a half-marathon. Keira D’Amato ran the 13.1 miles of the Asics Half Marathon in Gold Coast, Australia in 66 minutes, 37 seconds. (Richmond Times-Dispatch)
Sports
  • Check out Richmond’s roller derby scene at the Summer Shovin’ mixer on Saturday, July 29 at 5 p.m. at the convention center. The Pink Slaydies and T-Birds will face off followed by a scrimmage between the Shady Beaches and Sun Shiners.
Travel
  • Richmond International Airport earned the title of Most Efficient Airport in North America for an airport with under 5 million passengers per year. The Air Transport Research Society gave RIC the honor based on productivity, operating efficiency, and increased direct service options.
Cause
Giveaway
  • To celebrate our revamped referral program, we’re hosting a special giveaway until Wednesday, August 2, 2023. The top referrer will receive $500, and one additional person who refers at least one friend will automatically be entered for another $100 giveaway. Find the referral section at the bottom of this newsletter.
 
Plan Ahead

🗓 This just in: July
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Kids activities, vendors, live music, and plenty of tomatoes await you at Pole Green Park. | Photo by @measuredin_neffstops
We’re already five days into the new month — here are three free events you can look forward to in July.

Richmond Night Market | Saturday, July 8 | 5-9 p.m. | 17th Street Market | Free | Shop from local vendors, see what artists are crafting in the Maker Space, and enjoy live music at this community celebration.

Hanover Tomato Festival | Friday, July 14-Saturday, July 15 | Times vary | Pole Green Park | Free | Celebrate all things tomatoes at this pet-friendly community festival.

“Something Rotten” | Friday, July 21-Sunday, July 30 | 8 p.m. | Dogwood Dell | Free | Bring a picnic blanket or lawn chair to enjoy this free musical comedy with performances the last two weekends in July.

Click the button below to plan the rest of the month, from outdoor concerts and art exhibits to makers markets and more.
Explore Richmond events
Shop
Shop
  • It’s grilling season, and we want to make sure you are set for the summer. Elevate your grilling experience with flavors by Spicewalla.
Drink
  • On a water bottle hunt? Amazon’s No. 1 bestselling insulated bottle is the Owala FreeSip — it’s thoughtfully designed, leak proof, and keeps drinks cold.
Travel
  • Wanna save 40-90% on flights? Sign up for Going — a free travel membership — and you can browse deals immediately (like a $300+ round trip to Barcelona).
Outdoors
  • The perfect outdoor string lights do exist, and they’ve got a secret weapon: solar power. Light up your yard with a 50-ft strand.
 
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The Wrap
 
Robin Schwartzkopf in a red button down shirt

Today’s edition by:
Robin
From the editor
Didn’t know Richmond had roller derby? River City Roller Derby is included in our guide to sports teams in the 804. Spoiler alert: They’ve got a wheelie interesting history.
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