The Commonwealth Transportation Board (CTB) announced it has approved the Fiscal Years 2024 to 2029 Six-Year Improvement Program, which allocates about $6.3 billion in funding to public transportation and rail programs over the next six years.

The Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT) will administer the funds for rail and public transportation systems in Virginia to help manage traffic congestion and provide transportation choices while also safely transporting people and goods across the Commonwealth.

Details on the Improvement Program

The program is supported by the Commonwealth Transportation Fund, which uses a methodology to distribute funding to highway, bridge, rail, transit, transportation demand management, ports, aviation, and space flight projects.

“The six-year program advances the Commonwealth’s commitment to improving the quality of life for Virginians through an integrated multimodal transportation system,” said DRPT Director Jennifer DeBruhl. “The budget focuses on investing in infrastructure and innovative projects aimed at providing safe and reliable public transportation and rail networks to support Virginia’s economy.”

The CTB approved $861.9 million in funding for public transportation and rail programs in Fiscal Year 2024. This funding will help support the operation of transit and commuter service programs.

The program will assist with the improvement of bus stops and the replacement of aging transit vehicles, some of which will be low- and no-emission vehicles.

State funding will go toward Transit Ridership Incentive Program projects that improve regional connectivity and reduce barriers to transit use for low-income riders.

The program also funds enhancements to the rail network, such as rail crossing upgrades to improve safety.