DRPT Transit Ridership Incentive Program to fund three projects that expand transit services in Virginia

The Commonwealth Transportation Board (CTB) approved funding for three projects that will expand transit services around the commonwealth. The approved projects represent a $22.65 million investment in state and local funds, with funding from the commonwealth provided through the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation’s (DRPT) Transit Ridership Incentive Program (TRIP). 

The 2020 General Assembly session established TRIP with two goals:

1. Improve the regional connectivity of urban areas
2. Reduce barriers to transit use for low-income riders

TRIP already supports zero or reduced fare at eight agencies, as well as four regional connectivity projects around the commonwealth.

“The Transit Ridership Incentive Program encourages transit agencies to be innovative and flexible in developing solutions to best meet the transportation needs of Virginians,” said Jennifer DeBruhl, director of the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation. “These projects will improve the mobility of Virginians by closing gaps in transit service, as well as enhance economic opportunity.”

CTB approved the following three projects, which are expected to begin service next year:

1. Greater Richmond Transit Company microtransit pilots — The Greater Richmond Transit Company is launching microtransit routes to connect riders to its existing fixed routes that operate at a high frequency. On-demand transit allows people to book rides in real time and get picked up and dropped off in designated areas, closing transit gaps for residents in areas where fixed-route service is lacking and often cost prohibitive to operate. The three routes receiving TRIP funds will be in Henrico County, North Chesterfield and New Kent. The three-year pilot will cost $6.7 million with state and local funds. The Greater Richmond Transit Company (GRTC) is planning to operate a total of five microtransit routes. GRTC received TRIP funding in Fiscal Year 2022 to support its ongoing zero-fare operations and has had ridership exceed pre-pandemic levels.
2. Loudoun County Transit route expansion — DRPT is funding the creation of four new Loudoun County Transit routes. The routes are among several new routes the transit agency is creating as part of a systemwide redesign and expansion. The TRIP funds will support four routes that connect to one of the three new Metrorail stations (Dulles International Airport, Ashburn and Loudoun Gateway) built for the extension of the Metro Silver Line. The projects will receive funding for five years for a total cost of $15.3 million with state and local funds.
3. Radford-Blacksburg increased transit frequency — Radford Transit will expand the operations of its route that connects the town of Christiansburg to the towns of Radford and Blacksburg. The route already operates while universities are in session. However, to better meet the needs of university employees and residents of the community, Radford Transit will operate the route all day and throughout the entire year. The three-year project will cost $653,963 with state and local funds.

 Since TRIP’s creation, DRPT has allocated $24.5 million to multi-year zero-fare/low-income projects and $11.6 million to multi-year regional connectivity projects. This newest round of projects is supported by an additional $5 million the 2022 General Assembly approved for the state budget to put into TRIP. To receive TRIP funds, transit agencies must provide a local match.