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

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

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.

June 11, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Metrorail train pulling into newly opened subterranean station in Washington, D.C. with crowd on platform taking photos.

Congressman Proposes Bill to Rename DC Metro “Trump Train”

The Make Autorail Great Again Act would withhold federal funding to the system until the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), rebrands as the Washington Metropolitan Authority for Greater Access (WMAGA).

June 2, 2025 - The Hill

Large crowd on street in San Francisco, California during Oktoberfest festival.

The Simple Legislative Tool Transforming Vacant Downtowns

In California, Michigan and Georgia, an easy win is bringing dollars — and delight — back to city centers.

June 2, 2025 - Robbie Silver

Color-coded map of labor & delivery departments and losses in United States.

The States Losing Rural Delivery Rooms at an Alarming Pace

In some states, as few as 9% of rural hospitals still deliver babies. As a result, rising pre-term births, no adequate pre-term care and "harrowing" close calls are a growing reality.

June 15 - Maine Morning Star

Street scene in Kathmandu, Nepal with yellow minibuses and other traffic.

The Small South Asian Republic Going all in on EVs

Thanks to one simple policy change less than five years ago, 65% of new cars in this Himalayan country are now electric.

June 15 - Fast Company

Bike lane in Washington D.C. protected by low concrete barriers.

DC Backpedals on Bike Lane Protection, Swaps Barriers for Paint

Citing aesthetic concerns, the city is removing the concrete barriers and flexposts that once separated Arizona Avenue cyclists from motor vehicles.

June 15 - The Washington Post