Authority: Titles 33.1 and 58.1, Code of Virginia.
A. Of the amounts shown as Commonwealth Transportation funds, $110,956,000 $100,637,900 the first year and $115,952,300 $113,409,600 the second year is appropriated from the Transportation Trust Fund.
B.1. The Commonwealth Transportation Board shall allocate all funds for Mass Transit Assistance, other than Federal and Regulatory Programs, as provided in § 58.1-638, Code of Virginia.
2. The allocation of Formula Assistance to each recipient shall be limited to the recipient's eligibility for state administrative, ridesharing, fuel, tires, and maintenance parts and supplies assistance as defined in § 58.1-638, Code of Virginia. When the initial distribution to a recipient is greater than the recipient's eligibility to receive Formula Assistance, the Commonwealth Transportation Board may transfer the surplus funds to the statewide Capital Assistance distribution under this program. The Commonwealth Transportation Board may hold harmless from a state formula assistance any transit system that maintains service levels with no increase in operating expense.
3. The allocation for special program funds may be used to support transportation demand management projects, public transportation safety, training, technical assistance, planning, marketing and promotion, demonstration projects, and other public transportation projects as approved by the Commonwealth Transportation Board.
C. Out of the amounts for Federal and Regulatory Programs funds estimated at $209,050 the first year and $214,275 $214,758 the second year from the Commonwealth Transportation Fund shall be paid to the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Commission, as provided in the Washington Metropolitan Transit Regulation Compact.
D. Funds from a stable and reliable source, as required in Public Law 96-184, as amended, are to be provided to Metro Rail from payments authorized and allocated in this program and pursuant to § 58.1-1720, Code of Virginia.
E. Funds appropriated to the Department of Rail and Public Transportation and allocated to the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission to be allocated to its member jurisdictions are held in trust by the Commission for those jurisdictions until released by specific authorization from the governing bodies of the jurisdictions for the purpose for which funds were appropriated.
F. 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 designed to reduce the use of single occupant vehicles and to increase the use of high occupancy vehicle modes. Using transportation revenues generally available to the Board, funds shall be apportioned as determined by the Board to designated transportation projects in addition to funds allocated pursuant to § 33.1-23.1, Code of Virginia. Total TEIF program funding shall not exceed $1,900,000 the first year and $1,900,000 the second year. Eligible applicants for grants shall include local governing bodies, transportation district commissions, planning district commissions, metropolitan planning organizations, public service corporations, and transportation management associations whose applications are approved by an eligible public recipient or whose Board includes elected representatives from member jurisdictions.
G. Out of the amounts for this item, $800,000 the first year and $800,000 the second year shall be designated for “paratransit” capital projects for the elderly and disabled. The Department of Rail and Public Transportation shall coordinate with the Specialized Transportation Council in jointly determining the programs and properties to receive the funding each year.
H. In cooperation with the Department of the Treasury and other state agencies, the Department of Rail and Public Transportation may develop and implement a program to assist mass transit properties in financing agreements, not to exceed five years, to acquire new transit vehicles and equipment. By November 1, 2002, the Department of Rail and Public Transportation shall report to the Chairmen of the House Appropriations and Senate Finance Committees on the proposed implementation of any such proposed program. Payments for such financings shall come from the capital assistance program. The program's funding requirement in any fiscal year shall not exceed the federal funding allocated to the program and may include interest rate subsidies. The program shall be revolving and may be administered by a third-party vendor.
I.1. Out of this appropriation, up to $900,000 the second year shall be provided to the Greater Richmond Transit Company (GRTC) to continue the operation in Chesterfield County of GRTC routes previously approved by the Board of Supervisors. To receive the funding, Chesterfield County shall match such moneys on a dollar-for-dollar basis, and shall communicate its decision to participate in the program to the department no later than 30 days after enactment of this act. If the County elects not to participate, then the funds shall be made available for other programs and projects.
2. Fund sources appropriated from this Item shall include federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Family funds (TANF) for TANF-eligible clients. The Department of Social Services shall work with GRTC to maintain federal approval to operate buses and vans in Chesterfield County to transport low-income individuals to and from jobs. Other fund sources in this appropriation include the Transportation Efficiency Improvement Fund (TEIF). In addition, the department is authorized to work with Chesterfield County to encourage private sector donations for the program.