Richmond Bus Redesign Faces Equity Complaints

Residents charge the Greater Richmond Transit Company (GRTC) with making service worse for low income residents.

2 minute read

April 2, 2019, 6:00 AM PDT

By Casey Brazeal @northandclark


The Greater Richmond Transit Company (GRTC) undertook a large-scale overhaul last year, and some think the new system unduly burdens poor residents. A report from Virginia Public Radio's WVTF spoke with resident Carmen Terrell who now faces a longer commute. "A recent redesign of the entire region’s bus system streamlines many routes, and includes a new frequent reliable line called the Pulse. But for many, including Terrell, it means more transfers and longer walks," Mallory Noe-Payne reports for WVTF.

The agency is now being sued on civil rights grounds because, plaintiffs claim, the redesign is unfair to many poor and black Richmond residents. For their part, GRTC representatives point out they have created more frequent service, and increased accessibility of the city. According to GRTC, any routes have seen decreased headways and where routes were cut or changed it was because the ridership there didn’t justify the service. At the same time, "Research out of Virginia Commonwealth University confirms that many low-income residents were negatively affected by the redesign." The same report also says bus routes expanded overall access to the system. Access improvements mean more people can get to points of interests more quickly and more access could make the service more attractive to “choice riders” who could pick bus transit over some other option.

The question: Did the GRTC sacrifice the service quality for those who need transit the most, to get those improvements? 

The reviews of the GRTC bus system were much more positive earlier this year, when GRTC was reporting improved ridership figures.

Wednesday, March 27, 2019 in WVTF

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Close-up of "Apartment for rent" sign in red text on black background in front of blurred building

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program

Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

April 21, 2025 - Housing Wire

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

April 23, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Ken Jennings stands in front of Snohomish County Community Transit bus.

Ken Jennings Launches Transit Web Series

The Jeopardy champ wants you to ride public transit.

April 20, 2025 - Streetsblog USA

Yellow electric school bus with preteen students exiting.

California Invests Additional $5M in Electric School Buses

The state wants to electrify all of its school bus fleets by 2035.

April 25 - Associated Press

City Hall building in Austin, Texas.

Austin Launches $2M Homelessness Prevention Fund

A new grant program from the city’s Homeless Strategy Office will fund rental assistance and supportive services.

April 25 - Spectrum Local News

Brick school building with mid-sized tree on front lawn.

Alabama School Forestry Initiative Brings Trees to Schoolyards

Trees can improve physical and mental health for students and commnity members.

April 25 - Governing