Transportation and Mobility
Sometimes the hardest thing to do is to find where to start. We offer a few starting points to help you begin or continue your sustainability journey. In addition to these starting points, we have listed relevant resources from Federal, State, and Local agencies and organizations to further strengthen your journey and help answer any questions you may have. From federal bills to local bike shops, we should have something for everyone.
If you know of a resource that we haven't listed, please reach out, as we are always looking to expand our guide.
Where to Start
Beginner
Carpool or use alternative forms of transit to get to work or your 3rd place.
Carpooling is often a longer process then driving in on your own, but once you are in a routine, it will become second nature and less of a burden. While no longer Idling will save money by burning less gas.
If you do not live near people you work with, try using alternative forms of transit like biking or the bus.
The "Transit" app is an accessible way to understand the Richmond public transit system.
The GRTC is currently free through 2025 but the use of scooters and e-bike have fees associated with them.
Public transit stops are not radiatively available near all residences
Intermediate
Invest in/switch to an hybrid or electric vehicle (EV)
An electric vehicle has a higher upfront cost than another vehicle but the charging costs are much lower and the maintenance is similar to a gas car. You will also incur a time cost while charging your car because it takes longer to refuel than a gas car
When you invest in an electric vehicle, you will need increased accessibility and visibility of charging stations, so you can become an advocate for more in the city, diminishing the barrier to entry for many other Richmonders
Expert
Mobility University is a FREE, intensive 5-week course to educate and empower bus riders to self-advocate for better public transportation.
Build your Toolbox
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Veterans Transportation Program (VTP)
The Veterans Transportation Service (VTS) provides safe and reliable transportation to Veterans who require assistance traveling to and from VA health care facilities and authorized non-VA health care appointments. VTS also partners with service providers in local communities to serve Veterans’ transportation needs. Partners include:
Carbon Reduction Program (CRP)
The BILL establishes the Carbon Reduction Program (CRP), which provides funds for projects designed to reduce transportation emissions, defined as carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from on-road highway sources.
U.S. Department of Transportation
National Rural Transit Assistance Program
Creating rural and tribal transit solutions through technical assistance, collaboration and free training and transit industry materials
Administration for Community Living
CL collaborates with FTA/DOT by serving on the Coordinating Council on Access and Mobility (CCAM). One of the goals of the council is to promote interagency cooperation and the establishment of appropriate mechanisms to minimize duplication and overlap of federal programs and services so that transportation disadvantaged persons have access to more transportation services
Fuel economy resource guide
FuelEconomy.gov is federal government website that helps consumers make informed fuel economy choices when purchasing a vehicle and helps them achieve the best fuel economy possible from the cars they own.
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ConnectRVA 2045, BikePedRVA 2045
Richmond region’s Long-Range Transportation Plan, ConnectRVA 2045 was adopted by the RRTPO Policy Board in October 2021. The plan guides the Richmond region’s multi-modal transportation infrastructure investments over the next 23 years. The plan addresses major issues that needs to be addressed in the long-term for all modes of travel including transit, highways, bicycles, pedestrians, and freight.
Virginia Commonwealth Transportation Board
SMART SCALE
Here you will learn how we are revolutionizing transportation through programs like SMART SCALE, our new performance based approach in selecting the right projects that generate the most benefit for the money invested. You’ll also find information on Virginia’s major transportation improvement projects, convenient ways to follow our work and offer suggestions, and even ways to help us spread the news that Virginia is still the birthplace of revolutionary thinking.
VTrans
VTrans is Virginia's statewide transportation plan. It is prepared for the Commonwealth Transportation Board (CTB) by the Office of Intermodal Planning and Investment (OIPI). VTrans lays out the overarching vision and goals for transportation in the Commonwealth and plans to achieve those goals.
Virginia Dept of Rail and Public Transportation
CAP (Commuter Assistance Program)
The Commuter Assistance Program is a statewide grant program for programs and projects that are both efficient and effective at increasing ridership on transit, vanpools, and carpooling, leading to moving more people on Virginia’s roads, mitigating traffic congestion, reducing single occupant vehicle trips, reducing vehicle miles traveled, reducing air pollution, and reducing fuel costs for Virginians.
PUBLIC TRANSIT
Reducing carbon pollution and traffic by funding public transit options.
Promote clean technology and emissions reduction in the Commonwealth
Virginia Clean Cities advances air quality improvement, economic opportunity, and energy security through deployment of alternative fuel vehicles and infrastructure, education programs, and other petroleum reduction activities.
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Sustainable Transit Network
GRTC Transit System’s mission is to provide clean, safe, and reliable transportation and to improve mobility and access throughout Central Virginia.
Office of Equitable Transit and Mobility
Past transportation decisions have created injustices that have harmed people of color, low-income communities, and other marginalized groups of people. These injustices and the burdens they place persist today.
Richmond Connects is the process to develop the City’s strategic multimodal transportation plan. It’s focused on equity and will work towards healing past injustices by elevating the voices of people harmed in the past.
Fall Line Trail
When complete, the Fall Line will connect rural, suburban, and urban landscapes and connect 7 localities and over 800,000 people.
Virginia Capital Trial
The Virginia Capital Trail Foundation exists to protect, promote, and enhance the Virginia Capital Trail, and to serve as a resource, community builder, and connector to other trails throughout the Commonwealth.
Bellemead Community Bike Shop
In general, the Bike Shop is open 2-6pm, Wednesday through Friday. This when youth and community members can visit the shop for all of their repair needs. We have multiple toolkits available for use and we encourage our visitors to learn how to work on their own bikes through our assistance.
Earn-A-Bike
Rag & Bones is a member driven and volunteer run non-profit educational space that aims to provide near universal access to bicycle repair and technical knowledge, affordable bicycles and parts, and a space within which to feel safe and welcome while learning and repairing.
Rag & Bones operates on donations from the community. They take old and broken things and divert them from the waste stream to give them new life. They are a 501(c)3, so if you’d like a receipt please email them.
Mobility Unversity
Mobility University is a FREE, intensive 5-week course to educate and empower bus riders to self-advocate for better public transportation.