Applications may be submitted through Feb. 1, 2025.
Funding for the DRPT-administered annual grants is available through multiple state and federal sources to support public transit service, human service transportation, planning, transportation demand management, and rail programs in Virginia.
The grant programs include:
- Commuter Assistance Program (CAP): Supports programs and projects that provide the public with information on commute options, and encourage the use of transit, vanpooling, and carpooling.
- The FREIGHT Program: Supports rail infrastructure investments to expand the Virginia freight rail network—“bringing lasting benefits to the economy and transportation network in Virginia.” Among the supported projects: railways, railroad equipment, rolling stock, rights-of-way, rail facilities, engineering and design, environmental, and 30% design complete.
- Human Services Grant Program: Supports the enhanced mobility of seniors (ages 65 and older) and individuals with disabilities. DRPT awards Federal Transit Administration Section 5310 funding for this program.
- Making Efficient and Responsible Investments in Transit (MERIT): Provides financial assistance to support public transportation services throughout Virginia. This is a statewide grants program.
- Rail Industrial Access (RIA): Promotes truck diversion by providing grant assistance to connect new or expanding businesses to the freight railroad network. Supported projects include: engineering, site preparation (including grading and drainage), track construction, track rehabilitation; track improvement, environmental mitigation, and main line railroad switch. A grant of up to $750,000 may be requested. Funding requires a 30% match by the applicant. (Earlier this year, SharpTech USA LLC, Queen City Logistics Center LLC and Norfolk Terminal LP were awarded RIA grants.)
- Transit Ridership Incentive Program (TRIP): Provides funding to transit agencies and governing bodies for the purpose of “creating more accessible, safe, and regionally significant transit networks.” TRIP funds four project categories: zero and reduced fare, regional connectivity, public safety, and passenger amenities and facilities.
- Rail Preservation Fund (RPF): Benefits the nine short lines operating in Virginia: Bay Coast, Buckingham Branch, Chesapeake & Albemarle, Chesapeake Western, Commonwealth Railway, Norfolk & Portsmouth Belt Line, North Carolina & Virginia, Shenandoah Valley, and Winchester & Western. Supported projects include: constructing rail transportation, improving short line track to Class 2 track safety standards, improving bridges to Class 2 track safety standards, safety improvements, and property acquisitions and new track facilities. Funding will be at a maximum of 70% state contribution and a minimum of 30% cash or in-kind matching contribution from a local source.
- Small Urban Training Program (SUT): Provides scholarships to help small urban transit operations develop management skills and professional networks by attending transit training, seminars, workshops, and conferences. Public and non-profit organizations that provide transportation services or mobility management services in small urbanized areas of Virginia are eligible to apply. This includes agencies that receive Federal Transit Administration (FTA) 5307 funds. Small urbanized area is defined as areas with a population between 50,000 and 200,000. All approved SUT grant scholarships will be reimbursed up to 80% of eligible expenses.
- Rural Transit Assistance Program (RTAP): Provides funding from the Federal Transit Administration 5311(b)(3) program to assist with the design and implementation of training and technical-assistance projects and other support services for transportation operators in non-urbanized areas. Rural public transportation operators receive training and technical assistance through the program. DRPT’s Public Transit Division provides resources for training and technical assistance to rural transportation providers through RTAP.
Once the application period closes, DRPT said it will evaluate all submissions and submit recommended project funding to the Commonwealth Transportation Board (CTB) for the Draft FY2026 Six-Year Improvement Program (SYIP). A series of statewide public hearings will then be held before the CTB considers the final adoption of the FY2026 SYIP next June.
Current application guidance, including eligible project categories, is available online. All applications must be submitted using DRPT’s grant management system, Webgrants.
For general questions about rail applications, contact Mike Todd, Director of Rail Programs; about transit applications, contact Tiffany Dubinsky, Director of Transit Planning, or Todd Horsley, Director of Northern Virginia Transit Programs; or about commuter assistance applications, contact Chris Arabia, Manager of Statewide Commuter Programs.
