Transit Ridership Incentive Program (TRIP)
OUR GRANT PROGRAMS
Transit Ridership Incentive Program (TRIP)
Program Background
DRPT administers the Transit Ridership Incentive Program (TRIP), which provides funding to transit agencies and governing bodies for the purpose of creating more accessible, safe, and regionally significant transit networks. TRIP funds four project categories: zero and reduced fare, regional connectivity, public safety, and passenger amenities and facilities.
DRPT’s annual application period begins December 1 and ends February 1 (or first business day in February). Applications for TRIP funding must be submitted via DRPT’s online grants management system. You will find more detailed guidance on each of these funding opportunities in Chapter 2 of the updated Transit and Commuter Assistance Grant Application Manual (Blue Book).
Applicants seeking TRIP funding for capital projects under any of the four project categories should expect application requirements and match rates to generally mirror those of the MERIT Capital Program.
Applicants seeking TRIP funding for planning projects under any of the four project categories should expect application requirements and match rates to generally mirror those of the MERIT Technical Assistance Program.
Individually Administered Funding Opportunities
Regional Connectivity
TRIP’s Regional Connectivity component is designed to improve regional connectivity and mitigate congestion in urban areas with population excess of 100,000 through the provision of regional public transportation projects.
The following project types are deemed eligible for TRIP Regional Connectivity funding:
- The improvement and expansion of routes with regional significance
- The implementation of integrated fare collection
- The development and implementation of regional subsidy allocation models
- The establishment of bus-only lanes on routes of regional significance
Zero and Reduced Fare
TRIP provides funding to transit agencies for the purpose of supporting the deployment of zero fare and/or reduced fare pilot programs designed to support low-income communities. These programs will aim at increasing a system’s ridership and accessibility.
The following project types are deemed eligible for TRIP Zero and Reduced Fare funding:
- The provision of subsidized or fully free passes to low-income populations
- The elimination of fares on high-capacity corridors, establishing ‘zero fare zones’
- The deployment of an entirely zero fare system
- Fare policy planning
Public Safety
The safety of transit riders, operators, and employees is a priority of the state of Virginia. To improve safety on and accessing transit for riders, and to improve safety for the transit workforce in delivering transit service, TRIP funds public safety equipment, infrastructure, as well as public safety initiatives/planning.
The following project types are deemed eligible for TRIP Public Safety funding:
- Public Safety Equipment
- Public Safety Planning
- Public Safety Programming and Training
Passenger Amenities and Facilities
Passenger amenities and facilities greatly improve the transit rider experience and increase the accessibility of the system. TRIP supports the addition and improvement of passenger related infrastructure.
The following project types are deemed eligible for TRIP Public Safety funding:
- Improvements to existing bus stops
- Addition of new bus stops
- Improvements to other passenger facilities
- Bus stop or facility planning
DRPT's WebGrants
DRPT’s WebGrants site is the portal that allows DRPT’s partners to apply for funding, submit reimbursement requests, manage grants, and report performance requirements.