Safer Bus Stops for Willow Oaks
The Issue
Willow Oaks apartment complex (in Richmond, VA) contains 364 units, and is home to 550 residents. Many of whom take the bus- this includes teenagers too young to drive, elderly neigbors, disabled neighbors, those without access to a car, or those who simply prefer to take the bus as an ecological and cost-effective option. While we are very fortunate to have free public transit in Richmond, the two GRTC bus stops serving Willow Oaks are not accessible for everyone.
To access the stop near of the entrance of the neighborhood you must either climb a steep hill covered in rocks and plants- something that not everyone can do- or walk in the road- which is dangerous. Once you do access the stop, you must stand and wait for the bus, as there is no bench. This provides a challenge for anyone who is disabled, elderly, pregnant, or tired.
There is another bus stop at the intersection of Forest Hill and Bliley, which is even more difficult to get to. Residents must either climb through dense brush along Forest Hill Ave, or walk down Bliley Road- an extremely narrow two way street with no sidewalk and hardly any shoulder. If you are able to walk along the uneven terrain- through ditches and brush- you must remain constantly vigilant of the cars that drive very fast and extremely close to you.
These two bus stops are both for northbound buses- if you wish to go south, you are required to cross Forest Hill ave. Regardless of if they come from the Forest Hill entrance or the Bliley road entrance, residents must run across four lanes of traffic moving in opposite directions on Forest Hill Ave. There is rarely a time when there are no cars coming from either direction- and it’s even rarer during rush hour when people are trying to get to work and school. The posted speed limit is 35mph, but I’m sure you are aware that people often drive much faster than that.
If you are able to walk up Bliley road, you can access a crosswalk with a pedestrian push-button— but it does not work. In fact, the pedestrian light at this stop never changes from “stop” to “walk.”
I think I speak for all residents when I say that we would like our community to be safer for pedestrians and those of us who take the bus. This safety can look like many things but I propose:
•a sidewalk on Bliley Road and Forest Hill Ave
•a paved, wheelchair accessible bus stop in front of the complex- with a bench!
•a fixed pedestrian push button on Bliley Road OR:
•a pedestrian hybrid beacon at the entrance of the apartment complex
Richmond City Government launched an initiative called “Vision Zero” to eliminate pedestrian deaths in our city. Here is an actual plan from a real community in Richmond on how to make our city a little safer for its residents. If carried out, this plan will improve the lives of all 550 people in our community, and others who use the GRTC bus in the Forest Hill area.
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The Issue
Willow Oaks apartment complex (in Richmond, VA) contains 364 units, and is home to 550 residents. Many of whom take the bus- this includes teenagers too young to drive, elderly neigbors, disabled neighbors, those without access to a car, or those who simply prefer to take the bus as an ecological and cost-effective option. While we are very fortunate to have free public transit in Richmond, the two GRTC bus stops serving Willow Oaks are not accessible for everyone.
To access the stop near of the entrance of the neighborhood you must either climb a steep hill covered in rocks and plants- something that not everyone can do- or walk in the road- which is dangerous. Once you do access the stop, you must stand and wait for the bus, as there is no bench. This provides a challenge for anyone who is disabled, elderly, pregnant, or tired.
There is another bus stop at the intersection of Forest Hill and Bliley, which is even more difficult to get to. Residents must either climb through dense brush along Forest Hill Ave, or walk down Bliley Road- an extremely narrow two way street with no sidewalk and hardly any shoulder. If you are able to walk along the uneven terrain- through ditches and brush- you must remain constantly vigilant of the cars that drive very fast and extremely close to you.
These two bus stops are both for northbound buses- if you wish to go south, you are required to cross Forest Hill ave. Regardless of if they come from the Forest Hill entrance or the Bliley road entrance, residents must run across four lanes of traffic moving in opposite directions on Forest Hill Ave. There is rarely a time when there are no cars coming from either direction- and it’s even rarer during rush hour when people are trying to get to work and school. The posted speed limit is 35mph, but I’m sure you are aware that people often drive much faster than that.
If you are able to walk up Bliley road, you can access a crosswalk with a pedestrian push-button— but it does not work. In fact, the pedestrian light at this stop never changes from “stop” to “walk.”
I think I speak for all residents when I say that we would like our community to be safer for pedestrians and those of us who take the bus. This safety can look like many things but I propose:
•a sidewalk on Bliley Road and Forest Hill Ave
•a paved, wheelchair accessible bus stop in front of the complex- with a bench!
•a fixed pedestrian push button on Bliley Road OR:
•a pedestrian hybrid beacon at the entrance of the apartment complex
Richmond City Government launched an initiative called “Vision Zero” to eliminate pedestrian deaths in our city. Here is an actual plan from a real community in Richmond on how to make our city a little safer for its residents. If carried out, this plan will improve the lives of all 550 people in our community, and others who use the GRTC bus in the Forest Hill area.
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Petition created on August 25, 2026