                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA

TRANSIT RIDERSHIP INCENTIVE PROGRAM (§ 33.2-1526.3)

A. The Board shall establish the Transit Ridership Incentive Program (the
Program) to promote improved transit service in urbanized areas of the
Commonwealth with a population in excess of 100,000 and to reduce barriers to
transit use for low-income individuals.

B. The goal of the Program shall be to encourage the identification and
establishment of routes of regional significance, the development and
implementation of a regional subsidy allocation model, implementation of
integrated fare collection, establishment of bus-only lanes on routes of
regional significance, and other actions and service determined by the Board to
improve transit service.

C. The Board shall establish guidelines for the implementation of the Program
and review such guidelines, at a minimum, every five years. The funds in the
Program shall be awarded such that on a five-year rolling average, the amount of
funds awarded to each urbanized area shall be equal to a ratio of the population
within the Commonwealth of such urbanized area compared to the total population
within the Commonwealth of all eligible urbanized areas. The Board may through
an affirmative vote of a majority of the members vote to waive this requirement
for a period not to exceed two years when they find there is a need that
justifies such waiver.

D. Notwithstanding the provisions of this section, the Board shall use an amount
not to exceed 25 percent of the funds available to support the establishment of
programs to reduce the impact of fares on low-income individuals, including
reduced-fare programs and elimination of fares. The restrictions in subsection A
shall not apply to funds used pursuant to this subsection, nor shall the funds
used pursuant to this subsection be used to calculate the rolling average
described in subsection C.

E. The Board shall use at least 25 percent of the funds available to support
regional transit initiatives. The Board shall use its discretion in allocating
the remaining funds available as authorized pursuant to this section and based
on the programs and initiatives submitted during the application process.

F. Notwithstanding the provisions of this section, the Board shall use an amount
not to exceed 30 percent of the funds available to support local, regional, and
state entities in improving the accessibility of transit bus passenger
facilities and improving crime prevention and public safety for transit
passengers, operators, and employees. The Board shall develop guidelines for
applications, including relevant criteria and any requirement for matching
funds, including any private grants and donations, for grants to any local,
regional, or state public entity that supports a transit system. The
restrictions in subsection A shall not apply to funds used pursuant to this
subsection, nor shall the funds used pursuant to this subsection be used to
calculate the rolling average described in subsection C.

G. The Board shall report annually to the Governor and the General Assembly on
the projects and services funded by the Program. The report shall, at a minimum,
include an analysis of the performance of the funded projects, the performance
of the identified routes of regional significance, transit ridership, efforts
funded pursuant to subsection D, and any other information the Board determines
to be appropriate.

HISTORY: 2020, cc. 1230, 1275; 2022, cc. 719, 745; 2023, cc. 759, 797.