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GRTC installs new bus shelters in East End

5/27/2021, 6 p.m.
Ten new bus shelters have been installed in the city’s East End, with four more to come.
New GRTC bus shelter in 1800 block of Mosby Street. Photo by Sandra Sellars

Ten new bus shelters have been installed in the city’s East End, with four more to come.

GRTC teamed with Bon Secours, which provided a $200,000 grant that was added to $50,000 from the transit company to put the shelters in areas where bus ridership is high, but amenities like shelters have never been provided since GRTC began operations in 1973.

Julie Timm, GRTC’s chief executive, joined Chris Accashian, Bon Secours Richmond’s chief operating officer, for a ceremony on May 17 celebrating the new shelters. The event was held at one of the new shelters at Mosby and P streets across from Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School.

The lack of shelters has long been a sore point for riders and a key issue for the transit advocacy group RVA Rapid Transit.

Mr. Accashian said Bon Secours got involved to help GRTC with that need. The new shelters also include benches and trash cans.

“Like all of our riders,” Ms. Timm said, “I have stood in the pouring rain, in the biting snow and under the brutal summer sun at a local bus stop. This exposure to the elements is a very real barrier to equitable mobility.”

She praised Bon Secours for providing the funds to accelerate much needed improvements.

According to GRTC, the new shelters that were installed during the past two months are located on both sides of the streets, officials said.

GRTC spokeswoman Ashley Mason said two additional bus shelters are planned for Nine Mile Road at Bunche Place and 31st Street but whose installation is awaiting completion of street work on Nine Mile Road in front of Creighton Court. Site selection is still being determined for the 14th shelter.

The shelters cost $10,500 each, not including installation or any additions such as the trash cans, Ms. Mason said.