To the Bottom and Back Launches Pilot Tourism Route to Support VMFA Picasso Exhibition

www.2bnb.org

The popular To the Bottom and Back (2BNB) free nighttime bus service has launched a pilot tourism route. The route, called To the Museums and Back is a free bus service running Feb. 19-May 15 to coincide with the VMFA exhibit, Picasso: Masterpieces from the Musée National Picasso, Paris. The goal of the program is to provide an easy way for museum visitors and Richmonders alike to get to additional downtown museums and historic sites after visiting the special VMFA exhibit.

Two buses, operated by 2BNB, will run a 50-minute loop stopping approximately every half hour every Saturday 10 a.m.-6 p.m. When the museum service ends, visitors may take advantage of the existing 2BNB service that runs 6 p.m.-3 a.m.

In addition to brochures outlining the route, riders can track real-time bus location online or most any smart phone through 2BNB GPS bus tracking. Temporary signs will mark the stops along the route.

"The primary focus in deciding the route was efficiency," said Sandy Appelman, director of finance for 2BNB. "Stops were selected based on 2BNB's experience with existing routes, proximity to additional museums and tourism attractors and current visitor attendance at the attractions at the stops."

Most of the downtown museums and attractions are in walking distance of one of the stops. Maps listing all downtown attractions will be available on the buses for visitors to take with them.

All the money to support the hard costs of the program during the exhibit timeframe was raised through donations. "Ideally this pilot tourism route will be successful and support will continue so it can be offered seasonally on weekends," Appelman said.

The following partners provided cash or in-kind sponsorship for the new route:

Center Stage
Culture Works
Dominion VA Power
Friends of Charles Samuels
Lion's Paw Development
Richmond Magazine
RMCVB
Rocket Pop Media
Venture Richmond
VMFA
The Omni, Berkley, Hilton Garden Inn, and Jefferson Hotels

2BNB is a 501(c)3 and is organized exclusively for charitable and educational purposes.