VCU news

By Jonsette Calloway

RMA Worldwide has been selected as the new transportation provider for VCU shuttle services beginning Aug. 1. RMA replaces Groome Transportation, whose contract expires at the end of this month.

Washington-based RMA Worldwide operates in more than 600 cities. It operates George Washington University’s campus shuttle system, the Charm City Circulator in Baltimore and the Bethesda Circulator in Bethesda, Maryland.

“We are excited for this new partnership with RMA Worldwide and were impressed by their operational successes in the shuttling and personal transportation service arenas,” said Clayton Harrington, director for VCU Parking and Transportation. “We are working hard to assure that this will be a seamless transition for passengers.” 

RMA Worldwide will provide RamRide shuttle service to and from VCU’s remote parking lots — A Lot, I Lot, M Lot and R Lot. All stops and schedules will remain the same.

Under the agreement, RMA Worldwide will provide the university with a fleet of new buses. However, there will be a transition period of about 18 months during which an interim fleet will be used. Once the new fleet arrives, passengers can expect VCU-branded transit-style buses with rider amenities such as low floors for easier boarding, Wi-Fi and security cameras.

Passengers will show their VCU ID card to the driver upon boarding.

Beginning Aug. 1, passengers will use a new online platform — Ride Systems, which will be available for download on VCU Mobile — to track the RamRide buses in real time. Users can download the Ride Systems app through Google Play and iOs app stores. 

“On behalf of everyone at RMA Worldwide, we are thrilled to be coming to Richmond to serve the VCU community,” said Robert Alexander, founder and president of RMA Worldwide. “After 31 years in the D.C.-Baltimore area, we feel very fortunate and proud to be extending our footprint. We look forward to joining the community and providing safe and reliable transportation service to all.” 

Additionally, RMA will take over operations of RamSafe, VCU’s evening point-to-point shuttle system. An interim fleet of RMA minibuses will be used until early September, at which point the company will transition to VCU-branded vehicles. Students and employees will continue to place and track ride requests through the RamSafe app or at ramsafe.vcu.edu. Changes to requests should be made by calling the dispatcher at 828-SAFE (7233).

RMA also will offer hourly charter services for VCU departments and organizations in lieu of VCU Parking and Transportation’s former RamCharter program. Additional information on these services can be found at https://parking.vcu.edu/transportation/ramcharter.