GRTC launching LINK microtransit in eastern Henrico in July

HENRICO COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) — The Greater Richmond Transit Company (GRTC) will extend its LINK microtransit service to the Sandston and Elko areas of Henrico County on Monday, July 1.

LINK is an on-demand, zone-based microtransit service. You can call a ride by phone or through the GRTC on the Go app.

“It’s going to provide really high-quality service around the airport in the Sandston area,” said GRTC spokesperson Henry Bendon. “And then out a little bit beyond… just making connections where the fixed route network might not necessarily do as well.”

LINK zones are already active in central Henrico, as well as Ashland, North Chesterfield County and Powhatan County. Rides only work if you’re within these designated areas.

The goal of LINK is to easily connect rural areas with the city of Richmond.

“We looked at this community and we saw fixed route transit service that was good and an opportunity to improve transit service in an area where there might be more transit-dependent riders, people with fewer accesses to cars, or in need of public transit connections just to do the things you want to be able to do and live the life you want to live.” Bendon said.

Bendon said that, because LINK only launched last year, GRTC is still working on expanding things.

“We want people to tell us when they want the service to run and where they want it to go,” he said. “So we can better tailor it for the people that matter the most — our riders.”

Each LINK zone is slightly different, but rides are generally available from 5 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday. All LINK vehicles are wheelchair accessible with free WiFi. More information on LINK can be found here .

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WRIC ABC 8News.