Virginia public transit grapples with reduced ridership, zero fare (FILE) By Katharine DeRosa | April 13, 2021 at 4:40 PM EDT - Updated April 13 at 7:39 PM
RICHMOND, Va. - Virginia public transit systems from Northern Virginia to Hampton Roads are looking for a path forward after losing riders and revenue during the pandemic. Some transit systems have been harder hit than others.
“We are serving a market of essential workers that can’t stay home; they have to use our service,” said Greater Richmond Transit Co. CEO Julie Timm during a recent presentation.
Governor Ralph Northam issued a state of emergency in March of last year in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The move prompted limits on public and private gatherings, telework policies and mandates to wear masks in public, although some restrictions have eased.