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1999 Session

Budget Amendments - SB800 (Committee Approved)

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Richmond Regional Transit

Item 534 #1s

Item 534 #1s

First Year - FY1999 Second Year - FY2000
Transportation
Rail and Public Transportation, Department of FY1999 $0 FY2000 $2,000,000 NGF

Language
Page 411, line 26, strike "$113,751,800" and insert "$115,751,800".
Page 413, after line 38 insert:
"K. 1.  Out of this appropriation, up to $5,140,000 in the second year shall be provided to the Greater Richmond Transit Company (GRTC) for the development and operation of six extensions of existing transit routes, and three new express transit routes. Each new or extended transit route shall be approved by the locality that would receive the new or extended service, prior to the payment of any funds for capital or operating purposes.  Should any locality fail to approve such a new or extended transit route, this appropriation shall be reduced by the cost of such route.  
2.  The State Treasurer is directed to assist in the financing of these vehicles, utilizing the most appropriate financing mechanism available to the Treasury Board.
3.   Fund sources for this appropriation include $1,000,000 NGF for TANF eligible clients.  The Department of Social Services shall work with GRTC to obtain federal approval to utlize TANF funding to purchase and operate buses and vans in the Greater Richmond area to transport low-income individuals to and from jobs.  Other fund sources in this appropriation include: up to $1,000,000 from Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality funds allocated to the Richmond Metropolitan Planning Organization.  Other funds out of this item include up to $300,000 from the Transportation Efficiency Improvement Fund; up to $1,000,000 from federal statewide bus purchase funds; and up to $1,000,000 from the High Priority Transit Project Fund.  Any remaining necessary funding up to the amount specified for GRTC shall be provided through a state/private match program.  The Commonwealth Transportation Board shall match
dollar-for-dollar any private sector donations provided with up to $840,000 in transit formula assistance capital funds.
4. The Governor and General Assembly shall also give priority consideration for 1)  an additional appropriation of up to $8,000,000 NGF in the first year of the 2000-02 budget for the continued operation of the approved new transit routes; and 2) any available state or federal funds eligible for future mass transit appropriations."


Explanation
(This amendment provides contingent funding of $5,140,000 from several nongeneral fund sources to meet the capital and operating costs of extending bus service for nine transit routes in the greater Richmond region. $840,000 of this amount is provided as a dollar-for-dollar match for any private donations provided. Four of the new routes are located in Chesterfield County, requiring $2,413,506 of the appropriation; three routes are in Henrico County, $1,642,588; and one new route each is in Hanover County ( $125,952) and in Colonial Heights ($171,429). Funding is provided from federal TANF, statewide bus purchase, CMAQ, state transit capital, and TEIF funds. The amendment provides that if this funding is not sufficient, the state will provide a dollar-for-dollar match for any privately donated monies provided. The funding is intended to provide start-up capital funding, primarily for bus and para-transit van purchases, and to provide operating support beyond that provided through farebox revenue. Each component of the appropriation is contingent upon local acceptance of the new or extended bus routes. Any new or extended route not agreed to by the locality will reduce the appropriation by the amount equivalent to the cost of that route. In addition, the amendment asks that priority consideration be given by the Governor and General Assembly for future funding support of the new or extended transit lines.)