CHAPTER 87
An Act to amend and reenact §§ 33.2-1526.3 and 33.2-3102 of the Code of Virginia and to amend and reenact the second enactment of Chapter 806 of the Acts of Assembly of 2024, relating to certain transit entities; funding and administration.
[H 200]
Approved April 6, 2026
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:
1. That §§ 33.2-1526.3 and 33.2-3102 of the Code of Virginia are amended and reenacted as follows:
§ 33.2-1526.3 . Transit Ridership Incentive Program.
A. The Board shall establish the Transit Ridership Incentive Program (the Program) to promote improved transit service in urbanized areas of across the Commonwealth with a population in excess of 100,000 and to reduce barriers to transit use for low-income individuals by encouraging the identification and establishment of routes of regional significance; supporting the establishment of programs to reduce the impact of fares on low-income individuals; encouraging innovative approaches to micromobility, paratransit, and other specialized transportation; and supporting local, regional, and state entities in improving the accessibility and safety of transit bus passenger facilities .
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 , in conjunction with the Transit Service Delivery Advisory Committee, establish guidelines for the implementation of the Program and review such guidelines, at a minimum, every five three 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.