The Greater Richmond Transit Co. will roll out a new fleet of articulated buses next month to accommodate higher ridership and ease overcrowding on its busiest routes.

The 60-foot buses — the first of their kind for GRTC — will debut during the agency’s TAP (Transit Access Partnership) into Transit Day event on July 8 at Main Street Station.

“These articulated buses are a targeted response to growing demand on our highest-ridership route,” said Adrienne Torres, GRTC chief of staff and chief development officer. “They expand capacity where it’s most needed, support our zero-fare model and align with our long-term service planning goals.”

Funding for the new vehicles came through two competitive state grants. Two buses were funded through a Department of Rail and Public Transportation MERIT grant, and the other two were funded through Virginia’s Smart Scale program.

With their accordion-style design, the new buses can carry nearly double the passengers of standard 40-foot buses, according to GRTC officials. Each bus has 54 seats and space for up to 68 standing passengers, making them especially suited for high-volume routes such as the Pulse Bus Rapid Transit line.

  

“Since May 2024, we’ve seen a 10 percent increase in Pulse ridership, which now accounts for 17 percent of our total monthly ridership systemwide,” said Kevin Hernandez, GRTC chief operating officer.

The buses include three digital display screens and allow all-door boarding through three entryways, which officials say will reduce boarding times and improve efficiency.

The larger fleet supports GRTC’s Zero Fare program, which has been credited with boosting ridership since its launch in 2020.

More information about TAP into Transit Day is available at ridegrtc.com.