FY23 Transit Ridership Incentive Program Overview

October 31, 2023 by Amy Friedenberger No Comments

STUDIES & REPORTS

FY23 Transit Ridership Incentive Program Overview

Description

The 2020 General Assembly established the Transit Ridership Incentive Program (TRIP) in Virginia Code § 33.2-1526.3 with two distinct goals: to improve regional connectivity of urban areas with a population in excess of 100,000 and to reduce barriers to transit use for low-income riders. This report provides an annual update on the program.

Full Report

Radford Transit

Process

TRIP has undergone several changes since its creation in 2020, mostly because of the COVID-19 pandemic’s effects on transit as well as evolving transit priorities. DRPT implemented the program in FY22 with the first round of transit projects receiving TRIP funding.

Outcome

So far, DRPT has allocated $60.4 million in TRIP funding to a total of 19 projects — most of which operate over multiple years — that support zero-fare or reduced-fare programming or regional connectivity.

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2022 Rail Fixed Guideway State Safety Oversight Program Performance

March 24, 2023 by juliette oliva No Comments

STUDIES & REPORTS

2022 Rail Fixed Guideway State Safety Oversight Program Performance

Description

DRPT is the designated Rail State Safety Oversight Agency for Virginia. In this role, DRPT oversees the Hampton Roads Transit (HRT) Tide light rail system in Norfolk. The state safety oversight agency’s mission is the continuous verification that HRT is carrying out its documented programs to ensure the safety of its passengers and employees. This report addresses state safety oversight as it pertains to the HRT Tide light rail system.

Full Report

A photographic image of a light rail train from the Hampton Roads Transit (HRT) Tide light rail system in Norfolk.

Process

The Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21), and 49 CFR Part 674.13 (a) (7), mandates that “At least once a year, the State Safety Oversight Agency reports the status of the safety of each rail fixed guideway public transportation system to the Governor…” DRPT submitted this annual report of rail transit state safety oversight program activities for the period January 1, 2022 through December 31, 2022.

See Related Studies & Reports

2022 Virginia Statewide Rail Plan

January 24, 2023 by juliette oliva No Comments

STUDIES & REPORTS

2022 Virginia Statewide Rail Plan

Description

The 2022 Virginia Statewide Rail Plan (VSRP) provides long-term guidance for Virginia’s transportation leadership to ensure that the Commonwealth’s rail needs for people, communities, and commerce are addressed, policies for future rail investments are consistent, the public is educated on current rail issues, and that rail transportation continues to be a safe, economical, and environmentally friendly mode choice. DRPT develops an updated VSRP every four years per Federal Railroad Administration guidance and in alignment with goals and objectives of VTrans, the Commonwealth’s multimodal transportation plan.

The Final 2022 Virginia Statewide Rail Plan is available!
A photographic image of the Bugg's Island bridge.

Process

Starting in 2021, DRPT conducted a robust public involvement campaign that included three rounds of virtual public meetings, three surveys, and eight presentations to the Commonwealth Transportation Board’s Rail and Transit Subcommittee.

Click here to review the Draft Statewide Rail Plan Virtual Meeting Presentation from September 27, 2022.

Meeting Recording (Public)

Outcome

Virginia’s rail network is a valuable asset for the Commonwealth. It provides an efficient means of moving freight and passengers both within and through the state. By diverting freight and passenger traffic from road to rail, Virginia’s rail network relieves congestion, saves lives, improves air quality, helps grow the economy, and complements the Virginia highway network while reducing capital and maintenance expenditures.

The 2022 VSRP is fully digital, and was developed using ArcGIS StoryMaps, web-based application that displays narrative text complimented by interactive maps that allow the reader to explore data at multiple scales to see the big picture and focus on details for their particular area of interest.

This format provides the advantage of showing the rail plan with maps and data that are easy to navigate, rather than merely stating the rail plan in a static volume.

The 2022 VSRP is designed to work similarly to a website with chapters linked on a central landing page. The reader can navigate sections seamlessly using the global navigation in the header. Subsections are hyperlinked in each chapter.

2022 Virginia Statewide Rail Plan

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Fiscal Year 2022 Agency Report

November 25, 2022 by juliette oliva No Comments

STUDIES & REPORTS

Fiscal Year 2022 Agency Report

Description

Fiscal Year 2022 marked a period of rebound for the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation after challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Ridership in Virginia declined 61 percent between FY20 and FY21. While ridership has not yet returned to pre-pandemic levels, it has rebounded — a 56 percent increase in FY22 compared to the prior fiscal year. The Virginia Breeze intercity bus service launched a new route, and all four routes have posted record ridership. People began using commuter services again as workers returned to offices. The agency received a record number of Rail Industrial Access grant applications, demonstrating an interest from businesses in using the Commonwealth’s resilient rail network to transport goods.

Full Report

Executive Summary (print version)

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Process

Pursuant to Virginia Code § 33.2-106, § 33.2-1526.3, and Chapter 2, Item 1, Subsection I of the 2022 Acts of Assembly, DRPT is required to report on its actions to increase transit use and reduce highway congestion, its projects and services funded by the Transit Ridership Incentive Program, and its use of the Commonwealth Rail Fund, respectively. DRPT is combining these reports to produce a DRPT annual report for FY22.

See Related Studies & Reports

2021 Rail Fixed Guideway State Safety Oversight Program Performance

March 25, 2022 by juliette oliva No Comments

STUDIES & REPORTS

2021 Rail Fixed Guideway State Safety Oversight Program Performance

Description

DRPT is the designated Rail State Safety Oversight Agency for Virginia. In this role, DRPT oversees the Hampton Roads Transit (HRT) Tide light rail system in Norfolk. The state safety oversight agency’s mission is the continuous verification that HRT is carrying out its documented programs to ensure the safety of its passengers and employees. This report addresses state safety oversight as it pertains to the HRT Tide light rail system.

Full Report

A photographic image of safety warnings advertised on the side of a light rail train.

Process

The Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21), and 49 CFR Part 674.13 (a) (7), mandates that “At least once a year, the State Safety Oversight Agency reports the status of the safety of each rail fixed guideway public transportation system to the Governor…” DRPT submitted this annual report of rail transit state safety oversight program activities for the period January 1, 2021 through December 31, 2021.

See Related Studies & Reports

Fiscal Year 2021 Agency Report

November 20, 2021 by juliette oliva No Comments

STUDIES & REPORTS

Fiscal Year 2021 Agency Report

Description

Fiscal Year 2021 was a productive and dynamic year for DRPT and its rail, transit, and transportation demand management partners. First, the COVID-19 pandemic had a tremendous impact on transit agencies, Amtrak, and freight providers. Second, due to the pandemic, the Commonwealth Transportation Board did not adopt a Six-Year Improvement Program for Fiscal Year 2021 until December 2020. Third, DRPT staff started work to establish a new state entity, the Virginia Passenger Rail Authority, which will oversee passenger rail service in the Commonwealth moving forward.

Full Report

A photographic image of a Virginia Breeze bus with buildings in the background.

Process

Pursuant to Virginia Code § 33.2-106, § 33.2-1526.3, and Chapter 552, Item 1, Subsection O of the 2021 Acts of Assembly, DRPT is required to report on its actions to increase transit use and reduce highway congestion, its projects and services funded by the Transit Ridership Incentive Program, and its use of Commonwealth Rail Funds respectively. DRPT combined these reports to produce an annual report for Fiscal Year 2021.

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Transit Ridership Incentive Program FY2021 Annual Overview

October 25, 2021 by juliette oliva No Comments

STUDIES & REPORTS

Transit Ridership Incentive Program FY2021 Annual Overview

Description

The 2020 General Assembly established the Transit Ridership Incentive Program (TRIP) in Va. Code §33.2-1526.3. TRIP was created with two distinct goals: to improve the regional connectivity of urban areas with populations in excess of 100,000 and to reduce barriers to transit use among low income communities. The 2021 fiscal year marked the launch of the program.

Full Report

A photographic image of a passenger scanning their transit card while boarding public transportation.

Process

The General Assembly requires DRPT to provide an annual report on the projects and services funded under TRIP.

Outcome

In March 2020, the introduction of COVID-19 delayed program implementation by shifting the needs of transit providers and altering the role of transit throughout the Commonwealth. DRPT utilized this delay to conduct an expansive outreach process to better gauge the needs of transit providers and to appropriately refine TRIP policy materials.

See Related Studies & Reports

2020 Rail Fixed Guideway State Safety Oversight Program Performance

April 25, 2021 by juliette oliva No Comments

STUDIES & REPORTS

2020 Rail Fixed Guideway State Safety Oversight Program Performance

Description

DRPT is the designated Rail State Safety Oversight Agency (SSOA) for Virginia. In this role, DRPT oversees the Hampton Roads Transit (HRT) Tide light rail system in Norfolk. The state safety oversight agency’s mission is the continuous verification that HRT is carrying out its documented programs to ensure the safety of its passengers and employees. This report addresses state safety oversight as it pertains to the HRT Tide light rail system. The report outlines the program’s mission and describes its current activities, while detailing ongoing efforts to comply with the federal regulation on State Safety Oversight of Rail Fixed Guideway Systems.

Full Report

A photographic image of passengers boarding a light rail train on the HRT Tide light rail system.

Process

The Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21), and 49 CFR Part 674.13 (a) (7), mandates that “At least once a year, the State Safety Oversight Agency reports the status of the safety of each rail fixed guideway public transportation system to the Governor…” DRPT submitted this annual report of rail transit state safety oversight program activities for the period January 1, 2020 through December 31, 2020.

See Related Studies & Reports

Fiscal Year 2020 Agency Report

November 25, 2020 by juliette oliva No Comments

STUDIES & REPORTS

Fiscal Year 2020 Agency Report

Description

DRPT’s annual report for Fiscal Year 2020 highlights public transportation and freight rail initiatives to fulfill its mission of efficiently moving people and goods with primary areas of activity in rail, public transportation, and commuter services. DRPT’s most significant initiative for FY20 was Transforming Rail in Virginia, which included a $3.7 billion landmark deal to purchase 350 miles of railroad right-of-way and 225 miles of track. As reflected in this report, FY20 was a unique time for transportation in Virginia due to the COVID-19 pandemic. While the majority of this report focuses on the yearly activities that occurred, a section was added to highlight the role and importance of transportation during the COVID-19 health crisis.

Full Report

A photographic image of a freight train moving beneath a bridge.

Process

Virginia Code §33.2-106 directs the Secretary of Transportation to submit an annual report to the General Assembly “on actions taken by the Commonwealth, local governments, and regional transportation authorities to (i) increase transit use and (ii) reduce highway congestion and use of single occupant vehicles through programs and initiatives involving transportation demand management, transit use, telecommuting, carpooling, construction of commuter parking facilities, use of flexible work hours, and telecommunications technology.” Additionally, Item 1, Subsection O, of Chapter 1289 of the 2020 Virginia Acts of Assembly directs the Joint Commission on Transportation Accountability (JCTA) to “regularly review, and provide oversight of the usage of funding generated pursuant to the provisions of House Bill 2313, 2013 Session of the General Assembly.” This section also requires preparation of a report on the uses of the Intercity Passenger Rail Operating and Capital Funds (IPROC) to be submitted to the JCTA annually. This report combines these two reports in one DRPT annual report for FY20.

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How the Commonwealth is Using Transit and Transportation Demand Management to Reduce Congestion and Use of Single-Occupant Vehicles (2019)

November 25, 2019 by juliette oliva No Comments

STUDIES & REPORTS

How the Commonwealth is Using Transit and Transportation Demand Management to Reduce Congestion and Use of Single-Occupant Vehicles (2019)

Description

DRPT is the state’s lead agency on providing financial assistance to promote transit and transportation demand management (TDM) throughout Virginia. For Fiscal Year 2019, the Commonwealth Transportation Board allocated approximately $603.7 million in federal and state dollars to transit and TDM initiatives. Virginia has seen a significant return on investment with the Commonwealth’s 41 transit agencies providing 171,927,129 trips, its 16 commuter assistance programs removing 3,278,720 automobile trips, and its 937 vanpools providing 1,939,000 trips. Additionally, the Virginia Breeze intercity bus service had 24,532 riders.

Full Report

A photographic image of a metro bus stopped along a quiet neighborhood street.

Process

The Secretary of Transportation, in consultation and cooperation with the Commissioner of Highways and the Director of the Department of Rail and Public Transportation, shall annually, not later than November 1, submit to the General Assembly a report on actions taken by the Commonwealth, local governments, and regional transportation authorities to (i) increase transit use and (ii) reduce highway congestion and use of single-occupant vehicles through programs and initiatives involving transportation demand management, transit use, telecommuting, carpooling, construction of commuter parking facilities, use of flexible work hours, and telecommunications technology.

Outcome

Fiscal Year 2019 was a dynamic and productive year for transit and transportation demand management in Virginia. The success of DRPT’s initiatives would not have been possible without the General Assembly’s leadership. Transit continues to grow with new and innovative methods of allocating funding and increasing the use of technology. TDM also continues to provide congestion relief and single occupant vehicle travel reduction.

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