During the 2021 General Assembly session, House Joint Resolution 542 (HJ 542) passed with support from interest groups across the Commonwealth. This legislation required the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT) to complete a needs assessment that focuses on the modernization of transit in Virginia and engagement opportunities for underserved and underrepresented communities.

DRPT embarked on the Virginia Transit Equity and Modernization Study to address the issues identified in HJ 542 in a manner that is reflective of the values and needs of Commonwealth residents, businesses, and leaders for 21st-century transit modernization. The study was designed to elicit those values and needs and define the actions that will guide the Commonwealth and local transit agencies in meeting the transit challenges of today and the future with an emphasis on shared outcomes. A strong, consistent focus on technical data, national and peer-state best practices, and community engagement has informed this planning study.

The study’s Action Plan identifies 29 recommendations that serve as a roadmap to direct subsequent efforts—by both DRPT and local transit agencies. The Action Plan recommendations were developed through consultation with local transit agencies, evaluated by technical experts and industry partners, and refined during a robust public process. Final recommendations are organized by their anticipated timeline for implementation—near-, mid-, and long-term.