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 Grant Programs

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

Below is a map of Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs) that meet the population threshold for this project category. Project location eligibility is not restricted in any of the other TRIP project categories.

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

Application Resources and Timeline

For detailed information on the application timeline, goals, eligibility requirements, eligible expenses, and application process for all DRPT administered grants programs, view the resources below:

Application Timeline

December 1, 2024
DRPT will begin accepting applications for Fiscal Year 2026

Application Resources

FY26 Transit and Commuter Assistance Grant Application Manual (Blue Book)

CTB Policy 9-20-23