it depends on where you live in RVA. The more expensive the area the more bus stops there are. I believe by express GRTC you mean pulse. That goes up + down broad only.

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GRTC is by far better than the NOVA bus system. It's also free. If you need to be somewhere at a specific time then GRTC isn't great. Also you gotta know where you going, and there are times when its faster to walk. Especially if you have to take multiple.