Score one more for multi-modal transit in central Virginia.
GRTC announced today that it is adding a new bus route into Henrico County that connects to Richmond International Airport. The new route — 7 A/B Nine Mile Henrico — will run every 30 minutes during weekdays from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. The expanded service is planned to begin in 2018.
Bus service to the airport itself is not entirely new, says Carrie Rose Pace, the transit system’s spokesperson. GRTC already has a route that takes riders to RIC three times a day. So, stepping up the schedule to more frequent trips will offer more accessibility where there is already a demand, she explains.
“GRTC is excited to partner with Henrico County and RIC on this service expansion, which will enable more of RIC’s workforce to conveniently and reliably reach their jobs at the airport,” noted David Green, the system’s CEO, in a press release.
About 2,500 people work at RIC, filling jobs at airlines, rental car agencies, concessionaires, federal agencies such as the FAA and the TSA, and the airport commission.
Pace says the county and GRTC studied the transit issues affecting airport workers and learned that the access issue also
travel to RIC
Based on the current bus route that reaches the airport, the travel time from downtown to RIC takes approximately 30 to 40 minutes, Pace says.
The old Route 56 South Laburnum
RICHMOND, Va. (November 29, 2017) – Arriving soon by riding GRTC, there will be even more ways to connect across Greater Richmond and beyond. When GRTC launches a new transit network and new GRTC Pulse (Bus Rapid Transit) service in 2018, there will be significantly enhanced bus service to and from Richmond International Airport (RIC).
Today, GRTC in partnership with Henrico County, offers three trips every weekday to RIC on the Route 56 South Laburnum. Once the new Route 7 A/B Nine Mile Henrico begins service, there will be a GRTC bus servicing RIC in Henrico County every 30 minutes, Monday to Friday between 6:00 AM and 7:00 PM.
Route 7 A/B Nine Mile Henrico, highlighted in light blue above, will provide service from Downtown Richmond to Henrico County’s East End, also connecting with popular destinations like White Oak Village and the Walmart shopping center.
“GRTC is excited to partner with Henrico County and RIC on this service expansion, which will enable more of RIC’s workforce to conveniently and reliably reach their jobs at the airport,” says David Green, GRTC Chief Executive Officer.
Approximately 2,500 employees are based at RIC, working for airlines, rental car agencies, concessionaires, federal agencies such as the FAA and the TSA, as well as for the Airport Commission.
Troy Bell, Director of Marketing & Air Service Development, explains, “Richmond International Airport expects that improved GRTC bus service to the airport will not only provide benefits in terms of workforce access to a major employment center, but will also offer a consistent public transit option to travelers visiting the Richmond Region.”
“The additional benefit of this Henrico County service enhancement is for the carry-on only traveler. If you’re traveling light with up to two personal items, then you can fit on a GRTC bus, ride to RIC, and take off for national and international destinations. Henrico County is committed to connecting residents and employees with Greater Richmond and beyond,” says Todd Eure, Transportation Development Division Director for the Henrico County Department of Public Works.
New bus stop signage and amenities, as well as the bus stop location, are currently being reviewed with RIC and Henrico County, and additional directional signage will be added inside and outside the terminal to guide passengers from the airport to the bus stop.
The Route 7 A/B Nine Mile Henrico is funded by Henrico County, with annual operating matches from the Commonwealth of Virginia, as well as farebox recovery from riders. This route will be the largest enhancement to RIC in GRTC’s history when it begins.
