Department of Rail and Public Transportation (505)

Authority: Titles 33.1 and 58.1, Code of Virginia.

A.1. Except as provided in Item 441, the Commonwealth Transportation Board shall allocate all monies in the Commonwealth Mass Transit Fund, as provided in § 58.1-638, Code of Virginia. The total appropriation for the Commonwealth Mass Transit Fund is $160,361,138 the first year and $160,361,138 the second year from the Transportation Trust Fund.  From these funds, the following estimated allocations shall be made:

a. $123,546,936 the first year and $123,546,936 the second year to statewide Operating Assistance as provided in § 58.1-638, Code of Virginia. 

b. $33,315,285 the first year and $33,315,285 the second year from the Commonwealth Mass Transit Fund to statewide Capital Assistance.

c. Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph A.1.a and A.1.b. of this Item, prior to the annual adoption of the Six-Year Improvement Program, the Commonwealth Transportation Board may allocate funding from the Commonwealth Mass Transit Fund to implement the transit and transportation demand management improvements identified for the I-95 corridor.  Such costs shall include only direct transit capital and operating costs as well as transportation demand management activities.  Costs associated with additional park and ride lots required to be funded by the Commonwealth under the provisions of the Comprehensive Agreement for the Interstate 95 High Occupancy Toll Lanes project shall be borne by the Department of Transportation as set out in Item 446 of this act.

2. Included in this Item is $1,500,000 the first year and $1,500,000 the second year from the Commonwealth Mass Transit Trust Fund. These allocations are designated for “paratransit” capital projects and enhanced transportation services for the elderly and disabled.

3. a. From the amounts appropriated in this Item from the Commonwealth Mass Transit Fund, $1,998,917 the first year and $1,998,917 the second year is the estimated allocation to statewide Special Programs as provided in § 58.1-638, Code of Virginia.

b. From the amounts provided for Special Programs, the Commonwealth Transportation Board shall operate a program entitled the Transportation Efficiency Improvement Fund (TEIF). The purpose of the TEIF program is to reduce traffic congestion by supporting transportation demand management programs and projects designed to reduce the movement of passengers and freight on Virginia’s highway system.

4. Not included in this appropriation is an amount estimated at $26,728,838 the first year and $26,728,838 the second year allocated to transit agencies from federal sources for the Surface Transportation Program (STP) and the Minimum Guarantee program.

B. Funds from a stable and reliable source, as required in Public Law 96-184, as amended, are to be provided to Metro from payments authorized and allocated in this program and pursuant to §§ 58.1-1720 and 58.1-2295, Code of Virginia. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, funds allocated to Metro under this program may be disbursed by the Department of Rail and Public Transportation directly to Metro or to any other transportation entity that has an agreement to provide funding to Metro as deemed appropriate by the Department.  In appointing the Virginia members of the board of directors of the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission shall include the Secretary of Transportation or his designee as a principal member on the WMATA board of directors.

C. All Commonwealth Mass Transit Funds appropriated for Financial Assistance for Public Transportation shall be used only for public transportation purposes as defined by the Federal Transit Administration or outlined in § 58.1-638 A.4., subparagraphs b. through g., or in § 58.1-638 A.5., Code of Virginia.

D. It is the intent of the General Assembly that no transit operating assistance funding be used to support any new transit system or route at a level higher than such project would be eligible for under the allocation formula set out in § 58.1-638 A 4. e., Code of Virginia, beyond the first two years of its operation.