the big win: seizing the rapid transit opportunity by charles merritt
TRANSCRIPT
THE BIG WINSeizing the Rapid Transit Opportunity
WE ARE CITIZENS๏ Formed in early 2013
๏ Approximately 1,500 members.
๏ Our backgrounds
๏ Urban Planning
๏ Technology Startups
๏ Branding, Marketing, and Media
๏ Community Organizing
๏ Transportation infrastructure is one of
the largest growth opportunities for
the region.
๏ Bus Rapid Transit is the best form for
constructing a metro system.
๏ The effort must be led from the
ground up with private citizens,
businesses, and organizations driving
the creation and implementation of
new projects and policies.
RVA RAPID TRANSIT REPRESENTS THE
CITIZENS OF METRO RICHMOND AS WE
EDUCATE, ORGANIZE, AND ADVOCATE
FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A METRO-
AREA RAPID TRANSIT SYSTEM.
METRO RICHMOND
• Number 44 of the top 100 metro
areas in the US by population
• 1.2 million citizens
• 10 Fortune 1000 companies
TRANSIT TODAY
• Number 92 of the top 100 metro
areas in public transportation
• No access to higher education
• 27% access of population to 9-5
jobs
• 5% of land area accessible
• Major issue for hiring at all levels
• Major competitive disadvantage to
metros across the country
THE RARE OPPORTUNITY
TRANSIT INSPIRES GROWTH
Economic Quality of Life AccessEnvironmental
A METRO SYSTEM
Four main BRT lines
• Broad Street / 250
• Hull Street / 360
• Midlothian / 60
• Jefferson Davis Hwy / 1
THE BIG WIN
• Full-service metro-area BRT system
with local transportation in support
• Makes us a top 10 metro area in the
US for public transportation
• 80% of the population is connected
by public transportation
• A major competitive advantage
compared to comparable metros
“A JOURNEY OF A THOUSAND MILES BEGINS
WITH A SINGLE STEP.”-Lao Tzu
CORRIDOR DEVELOPMENTIn progress
• Stone Brewery
• VCU Institute of
Contemporary Art
• Scott’s Addition
• Whole Foods
• Pleasant’s relocation
• Aldi Boulevard
• Quirk Hotel
Chesterfield Opportunities
• Route 1/Jeff Davis
• Connect to Petersburg
• Hull Street corridor
• Midlothian corridor
• Connect Chesterfield to
the Metro Area
Henrico Opportunities
• Staples Mill to Gaskins
Road
• Goochland development
• Amtrak Connection
• Airport Corridor
• Libbie Mill (in progress)
• Short Pump
• Connect Henrico to the
Metro Area
“A JOURNEY OF A THOUSAND MILES BEGINS
BENEATH ONE’S FEET.”-Lao Tzu
YOU MAKE IT HAPPEN
๏ Get RVA Rapid Transit updates at rvarapidtransit.org
๏ Tell us your story
๏ Contribute your skills
๏ Participate in education
๏ Get ready to ride
