GRTC expanding Sandston LINK zone June 30, altering other services
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GRTC will expand its Sandston LINK microtransit zone beginning June 30, officials announced recently.
LINK offers on-demand rides anywhere within the service zone to customers who call (804) 358-GRTC (4782).
The change will remove a small eastern portion of the existing Sandston zone and add a new larger western portion, increasing the overall service area by 6.5 square miles. The change was based upon ridership totals, according to officials.
The expanded zone covers the service area of Route 56, which will end service on Sept. 28. Riders who use Route 56 should have more flexibility while also connecting to other key routes (4A, 4B, 7A, 7B, 91 and Pulse).
New coverage areas include Fulton, Marion Hill, Rocketts Landing, Adams Elementary School, Baker Elementary School, Rolfe Middle School, Varina High School and White Oak Village.
The service operates Monday through Friday, from 5 a.m. to 8 p.m. each day. The average wait time is about 20 minutes.
GRTC also is adjusting Fixed Route 19, which serves the West Broad Street corridor in Henrico. The new service will offer service to Sheltering Arms on every trip.
Additionally, Pulse service will be offered slightly less frequently on weekdays and Sundays, beginning June 29. Weekday midday service will be offered at all Pulse stops every 15 minutes (an increase from the current wait time of 10 minutes) and midday and evenings on Saturdays every 30 minutes (an increase from the current wait time of 15 minutes).
Saturday Pulse service will remain unchanged.
GRTC also is updating and simplifying its destination signs on buses, emphasizing the end destination and the key corridor instead of cycling through four or more destination messages. Each route now will rotate through only two screens.
Officials believe the chance will improve legibility and clarity. It will mirror transit trends seen in similar systems nationwide.
