Bus Stops Across GRTC's System Undergo Enhancements via ETI Project, Offering Improved Facilities
As of late July 2025, the Greater Richmond Transit Company's (GRTC) Essential Transit Infrastructure (ETI) Project is making steady progress towards its goal of upgrading bus stops with features such as concrete pads, covered shelters, and seating.
So far, 89 bus stops have been upgraded, reflecting the hard work and dedication of the GRTC team. This includes the installation of 5 new benches, 7 new shelters, and 11 new trash cans from April 18 to June 27 alone [2][3].
The ETI Project is a significant initiative aimed at improving bus stops in the city of Richmond, Henrico County, and Chesterfield County, Virginia. The project's focus is on installing new benches, shelters, and ADA-compliant features, with the ultimate goal of having 50 to 75 percent of bus stops equipped with a shelter or seating by 2027 [1][2].
Equity is a priority in the selection of stops for upgrades, with each stop being evaluated using an equity score. Factors considered include the number of routes serving the stop, longest wait times between buses, frequency relative to overall network coverage, proximity to key community destinations, and socioeconomic context [4]. Priority is given to areas where minority, low-income, or Limited English Proficiency populations exceed the system-wide average.
In areas with sufficient space, three-sided shelters are preferred for better protection from rain, wind, and other elements. However, in areas with limited space or physical constraints, open-air glass or fully cantilevered shelters are used instead [3]. The updated shelters are being designed to better meet the needs of today's riders.
To track the ETI Project progress, GRTC offers a public dashboard that provides updates on upgrades at various bus stops. This dashboard allows the community and riders to see which bus stops have been enhanced and monitor ongoing construction and installation activities [5]. For detailed, current project status and data visualization, you can access this public dashboard via GRTC’s official website or the specific page dedicated to ETI progress and updates [5].
The ETI Project is ongoing and is expected to continue improving bus stops throughout the GRTC system, making transit more comfortable and convenient for all riders. This information reflects GRTC’s commitment to improving transit infrastructure and keeping the public informed through transparent, accessible updates [1][2][3][5].
References:
- GRTC's ETI Project
- Richmond Times-Dispatch: GRTC's ETI Project Makes Progress
- WRIC: GRTC's ETI Project
- Virginia Mercury: GRTC's ETI Project Focuses on Equity
- GRTC's ETI Project Dashboard
- The finance department is working closely with the Greater Richmond Transit Company to allocate funds for the Essential Trans transit Infrastructure Project, which aims to upgrade public-transit infrastructure such as bus stops across Richmond, Henrico County, and Chesterfield County.
- The bus industry is closely monitoring the progress of the Greater Richmond Transit Company's ETI Project, as its focus on creating a more comfortable and convenient transportation experience could potentially serve as a model for other cities and transit agencies.
- With the installation of ADA-compliant features, improved shelters, and increased seating at bus stops, the GRTC's ETI Project is expected to have significant positive impacts on the local transportation industry and the overall quality of public-transit services in the Greater Richmond region.
