Chesterfield LINK: New Public Transit Begins
Public vans with the Chesterfield LINK logo began rolling in the county June 4, providing citizens express routes to and from downtown Richmond, as well as local routes.
“Chesterfield LINK enhances the county’s opportunity for economic growth by linking people with jobs, schools, shopping and county services,” said Greater Richmond Transit Co. CEO Rollo Axton.
Chesterfield LINK, which will be operated by GRTC under a two-year pilot program, will feature 25-passenger vans, instead of the larger buses typically used by transit companies. The smaller vans don’t cause as much traffic congestion and can more easily negotiate roads and private parking areas, leading to less risk of damaging private property.
In addition to the LINK Express and Link Local routes, the service will deviate from its routes up to three quarters of a mile, provided customers have given 24-hour notice and the route schedule permits the detour. The vans are compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act, and curb-to-curb service will be available for ADA eligible customers.
The local routes will operate Monday through Saturday, while the two express routes to Richmond will operate Monday through Friday.
“LINK opens new roads to jobs in downtown Richmond,” Axton said. “For those in the city, Chesterfield LINK connects people with shopping and leisure activities provided by popular merchants along the service routes in Chesterfield County.”
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Local route summary
- Route 75 – Kmart at DuPont to John Tyler Community College Chester Campus via Coach Road, 5:30 a.m.-9 p.m.
- Route 76 – Kmart at DuPont to Chesterfield Industrial Air Park via John Tyler Community College Chester Campus, and Wagner Building on Lucy Corr Blvd, 5:30 a.m.-9 p.m. (Saturday – Route 76 ends at Chesterfield Government Complex. Does not service Wagner Building or the Air Park)
- Route 77 – Kmart at DuPont to Chesterfield Plaza (Lowe’s) on Koger Center Blvd. Service the Park at Lakewood apartment complex. Cloverleaf Mall and Chesterfield Plaza (Lowe’s) on Koger Center Blvd., 7 a.m.-8:30 p.m.
- Route 78 – Cloverleaf Mall to Chesterfield Plaza (Lowe’s) on Koger Center Blvd. Travels via Twin Ridge Lane/Sheltering Arms, Gateway Center, The Arboretum, Moorefield Park and Southlake Blvd., 7 a.m.-8:30 p.m.
Express route summary
- Route 80 – Express service into downtown Richmond from the Park & Ride at John Tyler Community College Chester Campus via Interstate 95, 5:55 a.m.-6:44 p.m. (No mid-day or Saturday service)
- Route 81 – Express service into downtown Richmond from the Park & Ride at Chesterfield Plaza (Lowe’s) on Koger Center Blvd. via Powhite Parkway, 6:40 a.m.-6:15 p.m. (No mid-day or Saturday service)
- Cloverleaf Mall and Kmart at DuPont on Jefferson Davis Highway are transfer points to connect with city buses serving the Richmond region.
“I’m anxious to give the new public van service a try,” said Renny Bush Humphrey, chairman of the Chesterfield County Board of Supervisors. “I think Chesterfield County will benefit from the new service.
“It’s what we need,” she added. Humphrey said that it’s important that the new service not be judged by its first few days of operation. Because it’s a new service some adjustments may be needed, she explained.
“We’re very excited about this new van service being started here in Chesterfield County,” said County Administrator Lane B. Ramsey. “It will help many of our citizens get to jobs not only in Chesterfield County, but in the region as well. It also will be beneficial to students, seniors, employees at major employment centers, people going to medical appointments, physically challenged individuals and more.”
Ramsey added, “Chesterfield County’s partnership with GRTC on this service will bring a whole new dimension in public transportation to Chesterfield County. We view it as a significant enhancement in our service to our citizens, and we anticipate that it will be widely used.”
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