GRTC expands into Henrico’s Lakeside area with growing Azalea LINK service
Beginning Oct. 18, the Greater Richmond Transit Company is expanding an Azalea LINK microtransit zone by approximately one square mile.
LINK is an on-demand public transportation service that provides shared rides within designated geographic zones. During a LINK ride, the driver of the van may pick up other riders traveling in the same direction during a trip.
Riders can book another ride in the app to their next destination or connect with nearby GRTC bus routes.
The Azalea LINK microtransit zone connects to six GRTC bus routes – Route 1 Chamberlayne/Downtown, 2A North Ave/Forest Hill, 2B North Ave/Jahnke/Midlothian, 2C North Ave/Midlothian/Belt Blvd, 14 Hermitage/East Main and 91 Laburnum Connector.
Like GRTC’s fixed-route buses, LINK routes are Open Access, meaning no fare is required.
But there are numerous differences with those fixed GRTC Routes.
LINK service operates in set zones, providing curb-to-curb rides between any two places within the zone at the push of a button. The service is designed for lower-density or suburban/rural communities where traditional, fixed-route buses are not deemed practical. Further connections outside the zone are often available by bus.
A press release from GRTC said the Azalea LINK service expansion would connect an estimated 2,100 additional residents and 1,400 jobs.
Currently, the Azalea LINK reaches to Grand Richmond at Brook Run, Brookhill Azalea, Richfield Place Apartments, Treehouse Apartments, Henrico High School, Virginia Department for the Blind and Vision Impaired, Forest Lawn Cemetery and Memorial Regional Medical Center.
The expansion adds Lakeside-area destinations including Bryan Park, Belmont Park, Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, Westminster Canterbury, Lakeside Senior Living and CSL Plasma.
In order to schedule a LINK ride, download the GRTC On the Go app and create an account, or call (804) 358-4782 to book by phone. Riders need to enter their starting point and destination within the Azalea Zone, request their ride and be ready at their pickup location five minutes before the scheduled arrival. A maximum of four passengers is allowed per booking.
GRTC's published operating hours for Azalea LINK are:
• Monday–Friday: 5 a.m. to 8 p.m.;
• Saturday: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.;
• Sunday: No service.
The published expected wait time is approximately 20 minutes.
The Azalea LINK zone is one of six LINK microtransit zones around the GRTC coverage area – Ashland, Broad Rock, Clover Dale, Powhatan and Sandston, in Eastern Henrico County.
Dina Weinstein is the Citizen’s community vitality reporter and a Report for America corps member, covering housing, health and transportation. Support her work and articles like this one by making a contribution to the Citizen.
