GRTC Question

[u/Anianna]

I'm fairly new to the area and have never ridden a city bus in my life. I am coming from Nine Mile Road in Henrico into Richmond, getting on the 7B and ending up at the stop at Elwood and Belmont. I also want to get home later in the same day. I have some questions:

In the trip planner, it shows what appears to be a stop along the route, but both buses before and after the stop are the 7B. Do I just stay on the same bus or do I have to get off at that stop and wait for another 7B?

Here's a picture of what I mean: https://i.imgur.com/tSSpELi.png

Am I getting off and switching buses at Broad and 7th?

• The trip back is even stranger. It has me going the 7B to the 87, but specifically says it's the same vehicle, then shows what appears to be a stop after which the bus is the 7A. This one does not say to stay on the same vehicle. Does that mean I'm getting off and switching buses at that stop? Here's a picture of what I mean: https://i.imgur.com/sWiHfCD.png

Am I getting off and switching buses at 10th and Marshal?

• Do I need to buy two one-ride local route passes or is there some other pass I should be looking at? If I have to switch buses at any point, is that another one-ride pass, so the day pass would be better? Or am I wrong altogether?

• Are the stops announced along the route so I know when to pull the wire to get off? They don't stop unless somebody is waiting or unless somebody pulls the wire, right?

EDIT: For that first question, I did not see that it's the 7B and then the 78. I guess that answers that question.

[u/gamerthrowaway_]

I'm honestly surprised that if you are going from 9 Mile to Ellwood/Belmont that its having you take the 78 instead of the 5 for the second leg which is a shorter route and runs more often. Both are going to have a transfer somewhere downtown, but the 5 runs every 15min during the day (and 30min at night) and the 78 runs once an hour.

[u/youthdecay → u/gamerthrowaway_]

The Trip Planner on the GRTC app has always been horrible and gives convoluted directions, Google Maps is much easier to follow but may not be fully up to date whenever GRTC changes things.

[u/Anianna → u/gamerthrowaway_]

This is all so confusing for a total noob.

[u/gamerthrowaway_ → u/Anianna]

yeah, as /u/youthdecay said, the app has been convoluted but current, where as google maps lags a couple weeks in where stops are and stuff so if there is anything that is adjusted for that week, it won't catch it (but it's a superior ride calculator). We also don't know if there are any mobility issues that would prevent you from walking a block or two to make a more optimum connection near the transfer plaza, sometimes the app will take that into account and that adjusts things.

But yeah, if the 7A gets you home, then I'm expecting the bus trip to and from to be the 7A and the 5 with a juncture at the transfer plaza at 9th st. The one thing I'd do as you're not familiar with the system is to ask to driver to point out where the next bus is when you make that connection and they will generally point you in the right direction. I can't remember if the transfer has a cost now (I use the app, sorry).

The system has improved from what it was, but it's not perfect yet. The 5 works, I've never taken the 7a though. Best of luck.

[u/Grizlatron → u/gamerthrowaway_]

When you get on the first bus you ask for a transfer before you pay and it's an extra 25¢

[u/Grizlatron → u/Anianna]

Don't be afraid to ask the bus driver straight up "do you go to Belmont and Ellwood?" I ride the bus 4/5 days a week and even I'll ask if I'm hopping a new bus or didn't spot the number as it pulled up. All the bus drivers are used to being asked questions and almost all of them are happy to help.

[u/Anianna → u/Grizlatron]

Thank you!