GRTC to begin using former Pulse buses for local, express routes

GRTC riders, take note: the transit system is beginning to deploy former Pulse Bus Rapid Transit buses to serve its local and express routes, as it receives new (and larger) articulated buses for the Pulse routes.

GRTC officials want local and express route passengers to know so that they don't accidentally miss their intended bus when they see a green-and-blue one pull up to a stop. The former Pulse buses no longer carry Pulse logos, officials said, and while they will be repainted eventually, that process is ongoing.

So, "if a blue and green bus pulls up to your stop, don’t assume it’s Pulse," GRTC officials said in a press release, encouraging riders to check the destination sign on the front and side of a bus to confirm its route and destination.

The former Pulse buses still have years of useful life remaining, officials said, so rather than retire them early, the agency is putting them to work where they are most needed.

The fleet transition comes as demand for transit service along Broad Street continues to grow. To increase capacity and support growing ridership, the articulated Pulse buses (longer, two-segment vehicles) are being delivered in batches and are expected to be fully deployed by the end of this year. Built specifically for high-demand service, the articulated buses feature three doors for faster boarding and can accommodate up to 122 riders, helping reduce crowding and improve the rider experience.