b'NEW BUS RAPID TRANSIT SERVICE INCREASES TRANSIT SYSTEMS RIDERSHIP WITH TECHNOLOGY INTEGRATIONBY CARRIE ROSE PACE, DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS, GRTCOne of the newest bus rapid transit (BRT) systems inqueuejumpin-and-outofbusonlylanetransitionselement lets passengers down the block easily see the United States is setting the example for budget- THE PULSE, WHICH ISand prolonged greens when the bus needs to makewhen they need to enter the platform for departure. conscious,balanced,andresponsivedesignstoup time. TSP does still obey pedestrian priority, where better meet the needs of the communities it serves.GRTCS BUSIEST BUSpedestrian movements take precedence over the busWhile waiting at the station, passengers can explore TheGreaterRichmondTransitCompany(GRTCschedule.Safe,timedpedestrianmovementsarenearby destinations by scanning one of the QR codes Pulse) is a modern, high quality, high capacity rapidROUTE, NOW CARRIESencouraged along the route at both station locationsembedded into the station map glass along the rear transit system that serves a 7.6-mile route on the mainAPPROXIMATELY 7,000and at new pedestrian crossings designed to enhanceof the platform. All stations also have technology to corridorthroughtheCapitalofVirginia.Thisareanorth-south access. assistwiththesafetyofoperations,includinglive previouslysufferedfromsluggishbuseswithmanyRIDERS EVERYsecurity cameras, adaptive lighting, and an emergency stops and prolonged trips. The project was budgetedAlthough Pulse buses come frequently (every 10-15call box. Once on board, customers can log-in to use at a relatively conservative $64.9 million and deliveredWEEKDAY, DOUBLEminutes during most of the service), providing real- GRTCs free Wi-Fi. manyBRTelementslikeoff-boardfarecollection,THE SERVICES GOALS. time arrival information is a key feature that enhances platform-level all-door boarding, dedicated bus onlythe passengers experience when waiting for the nextTechnologyintegrationhelpsthePulsefunctionas lanesandtransitsignalpriority(TSP)atjust$8.54bus.Overheaddigitaldisplaysshowwhenthenextefficiently and safely as possible, while also enhancing million per mile.two buses are due, and the same information can bethecustomersexperiencebothatstationsandon Technology plays an essential role in GRTC, providing adeliveredthroughat-stationspeakerswhenpush- board.Byprovidingreliable,higher-qualityservice, In partnership with the U.S. Department of Transportation,more attractive, reliable service. The Pulse is designedactivated. GRTC also provides a unique visual real- more users are attracted to the Pulse. We are proud the Commonwealth of Virginia (Virginia Department oftoexpediteboardingandalighting,improvingthetime arrival on the station totemsthese prominentof the service so far, delighted that we celebrated our Rail and Public Transportation - DRPT and Virginiaefficiency of stops. Buses dock level with platformsbrick station signs have green lights that illuminate asone-yearanniversaryinJune,andlookforwardto DepartmentofTransportation-VDOT),theCityofandpermitpassengermovementsthroughboththe next bus gets closer. Each green light representscontinuing to respond to the needs of the communities Richmond and Henrico County, GRTC, and the Projectdoors. No queueing at doors is necessary becauseoneminutewithfivetotallightsforafive-minutewe serve by providing exceptional customer service Team launched the GRTC Pulse service on Sunday,customerspre-payfortheirrideatstationticketcountdownuntilthebusarrives.Thisrecognizableand world-class transportation services. June24,2018.ThePulselinkstomanyexcitingvendingmachines(TVMs).Thesenext-generation destinations,businesses,servicesandrestaurants,TVMsacceptcredit/debitorcash/coinandissue and is jointly sponsored by two of the regions largestsmart media that can be quickly read at other TVMs healthcare systems, Bon Secours Richmond Healthorfareboxestovalidaterides.CustomersmayalsoCARRIE ROSE PACE is an Emmy-award-winning communicator with a decade of System and VCU Health System.use GRTCs new Mobile Pass App to pay with theirbroadcast journalism experience. After ten years on camera as a meteorologist, smartphonebeforeboarding.Theappusestheshe joined the Greater Richmond Transit Company in March 2015 as the Public The Pulse, which is GRTCs busiest bus route, nowcamera on the smartphone to scan a unique QR codeRelationsManagerandwaspromotedtoDirectorofCommunicationsinMay carriesapproximately7,000riderseveryweekday,at the station to verify the trip and issue a timed proof2016. Representing GRTC as spokeswoman, Carrie engages the community and double the services goals. This result is remarkableof payment. Fare Enforcement Inspectors patrol themedia about whats new and next in transit. Carrie graduated in May 2006 from for a new mode of service that just debuted. Trip timesPulse on board, checking passenger fares after thethe University of Oklahoma with a B.S. degree in Meteorology, with minors in along this route used to take more than an hour and 15bus departs the platform. Mathematics and Broadcast Journalism. Carrie remains active in the Meteorology minutes, but on the Pulse, a passenger can completecommunityasaCertifiedBroadcastMeteorologist(#404)intheAmerican thetripwithin35-37minutesonaverage.GRTCPulse buses are smart, talking to the 56 traffic signalMeteorological Society, informing and educating the public about weather and continues to significantly increase its total ridership,intersections along the route to help keep the bus onclimate. Carrie served on the AMS Broadcast Board and was 2016 Chair, building bucking the national trend of transit ridership decline.schedule(headway-basedspacing).TSPprovidesrelationships with fellow broadcasters.15'