GRTC plans temporary bus service changes beginning February 22, 2026, to improve reliability and reduce last-minute cancellations, the transit agency announced on January 27. The proposed adjustments are pending approval by the GRTC Board of Directors and are intended to better align scheduled service with available operators, especially during nights and weekends.
GRTC reviewed ridership data and equity considerations in developing the proposal. Like many transit agencies nationwide, GRTC continues to experience operator workforce shortages that can lead to missed trips and same-day cancellations. Under the plan, service frequencies or operating patterns would change on multiple local routes.
Key proposed adjustments include:
- Route 1 (Chamberlayne/Hull/Southside Plaza): Weekend service would bypass Reynolds Community College due to low class attendance.
- Route 1A (Chamberlayne/Hull/Midlothian): Weekday service would run every 60 minutes after 9 p.m., with alternating weekend trips ending at Spring Rock Green and Walmart Way.
- Route 5 (Cary/Main/Whitcomb): Weekday service would operate every 60 minutes after 9 p.m. Weekend service would run every 30 minutes until 9 p.m., then hourly.
- Routes 7A & 7B (Nine Mile/Airport): Service would operate hourly after 7 p.m.
- Route 12 (Church Hill): Weekday and Saturday service would be hourly after 9 p.m.; Sunday service would run every 45 minutes.
- Route 14 (Hermitage/East Main): Weekday service would run every 60 minutes after 9 p.m., and weekend service every 45 minutes all day.
- Route 19 (West Broad Street): Saturday service would be every 30 minutes before 7 p.m. and hourly afterward; Sunday service would be hourly all day.
- Route 20 (Orbital): Weekday service will run every 45 minutes throughout the day.
- Route 76 (Patterson): Weekend service would be removed due to low utilization, averaging about two passengers per trip.
- Route 87 (Bellemeade/Hopkins): No service after 9 p.m. due to low ridership.
- Route 79 (Patterson/Parham): Service would be every 45 minutes during peak periods only (6–9 a.m. and 4–6 p.m.).
GRTC officials say the adjustments are intended to improve service reliability by reducing scheduled trips that cannot be staffed. As additional operators are hired and trained, the agency plans to increase the number of trips. Riders will be notified once the Board decides whether to implement the changes…