40 transit systems. 82 human service providers. 16 transportation demand management agencies. 15 metropolitan planning organizations. Nine shortline railroads. Two Class I freight railroads. One intercity passenger rail operator. One intercity bus operator. What do these entities all have in common? Each benefit in one way or another from the work of the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT).

The Virginia General Assembly created DRPT in 1992. Since then, the agency has focused on moving people and goods via public transportation, rail, and transportation demand management. As a part of this focus, DRPT drives projects and programs forward by allocating state and federal funding; conducting statewide rail and public transportation studies; planning and programming new services and capital improvement projects; and providing leadership, advocacy, technical assistance, and funding oversight. The agency’s 2024 Annual Report profiles all these efforts with greater specificity as they occurred over Fiscal Year 2024.

Within this report are an introduction to DRPT, a summary of how DRPT embodies organizational values, guidance on how the agency is funded and administered, and highlights of key programs the agency leads. Also included are major data points, inspiring success stories, financial insights, programmatic backgrounds, and more. The report concludes with an overview of why DRPT is here today and why the agency will be here for every tomorrow to come.

DRPT ventures to catalyze connections, create community, and cultivate collaboration across the Commonwealth. This work is done to expand the reach and impact of the 166 entities that depend on the dollars, data, direction, and due diligence DRPT delivers. For more details, dive into DRPT’s 2024 Annual Report.

Pursuant to Virginia Code § 33.2-106, § 33.2-1526.3, and Chapter 2, Item 1, Subsection I of the 2024 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 (TRIP), and its use of the Commonwealth Rail Fund. DRPT took a combined approach to meeting these requirements to produce an annual report for Fiscal Year 2024. However, this report serves as more than just an exercise in checking statutory boxes. What follows is a snapshot of DRPT’s extensive work across the Commonwealth over the past fiscal year. It is by no means exhaustive but should impart an understanding of where DRPT has been, where it plans to go next, how that route has been decided upon, and all the communities it has helped uplift along the way.