The Transit Ridership Incentive Program (TRIP) is a statewide grants program funding transit agencies and governing bodies to create more accessible, safe, and regionally significant transit networks. TRIP funds four project categories: Zero and Reduced Fare, Regional Connectivity, Public Safety, and Passenger Amenities. For Fiscal Year (FY) 2024, TRIP awarded approximately $27 million to over 30 projects across all four project categories.

Background

The 2020 General Assembly established the Transit Ridership Incentive Program (TRIP) with the passage (and signature of the Governor) of the Omnibus Transportation Act (House Bill 1414/Senate Bill 890). The creation of TRIP had two distinct goals: to improve regional connectivity of urban areas with a population of more than 100,000 and to reduce barriers to transit use for low-income riders by supporting Zero or Reduced-Fare programs. TRIP is established in § 33.2-1526.3 of the Code of Virginia, which spells out the program and requires the Commonwealth Transportation Board to report annually on the projects and services funded by TRIP.

TRIP has undergone several changes since its establishment. In 2022, the General Assembly passed, and the Governor signed House Bill 142 to amend the Code of Virginia to increase the percentage of funding available for TRIP Zero and Reduced Fare Programs. That legislation included a “sunset clause" reverting the changes, effective July 1, 2024.

In 2023, the Governor signed House Bill 2338/Senate Bill 1326, which added the final two project categories to TRIP: Passenger Amenities and Public Safety. FY 2024 was the first year in which all four project categories were available. The table below lists each TRIP project category and provides examples of projects eligible to be funded under each category:

Table 1. TRIP Project Categories