WTS

In February 2021, the Virginia General Assembly passed House Joint Resolution 542 which directed the Department of Rail and Public Transportation to study transit equity and modernization in the Commonwealth.  The study includes all 39 transit agencies in the Commonwealth who weighed in from the executive level to service operators helping to understand how we make decisions about the allocation of transit resources whether urban, rural, experienced riders or enticing new riders to the systems and whether service matches need to move people and create new opportunities for our communities, especially the underserved and underrepresented.  The panel will present how we put together the methodology for this statewide assessment to determine the state of transit and opportunities to ensure service, safety, infrastructure, new technology and engagement approaches that best serve the populations that need it most and create new opportunities to jobs, housing and other activity centers.  We will share what we learned from transit executives about the challenges of shifting their programs, competitive funding metrics that create preference for systems serving more urban populations, and policy changes that would facilitate just distribution of benefits.  The panel will delve into strategies developed with 39 transit agencies, the public and rider focus groups and advocacy groups in Virginia, as well as best practices from around the country.  We will discuss community perspectives for safety, cleanliness, and a dignified experience, and barriers to riding for vulnerable populations.