Authority: Titles 33.1 and 58.1, Code of Virginia.
A.1. The Commonwealth Transportation Board shall allocate all monies in the Commonwealth Mass Transit Fund, as provided in § 58.1-638, Code of Virginia. The total appropriation for the Commonwealth Mass Transit Fund is $131,855,043 the first year and $136,679,090 the second year from the Transportation Trust Fund.
2. Included in Human Service Transportation is $800,000 the first year and $800,000 the second year from the Commonwealth Mass Transit Trust Fund. These allocations are designated for “paratransit” capital projects for the elderly and disabled.
3. In accordance with paragraph A.1., $96,325,457 the first year and $99,871,131 the second year is the estimated allocation to statewide Formula Assistance as provided in § 58.1-638, Code of Virginia. The allocation of Formula Assistance to each recipient shall be limited to the recipient's maximum eligibility as defined in § 58.1-638, Code of Virginia. When the initial allocation 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 program for distribution under that program. The Commonwealth Transportation Board may hold harmless from a reduction in state formula assistance any transit system that maintains service levels from the previous year.
4.a. In accordance with Paragraph A.1., $32,763,761 the first year and $33,969,773 the second year from the Commonwealth Mass Transit Fund is the estimated allocation to statewide Capital Assistance. In addition, included in the Public Transportation Programs is $27,500,000 the first year from the general fund and $29,100,000 the second year from the general fund for Mass Transit Capital Assistance. Such appropriation from the general fund is that portion of those revenues dedicated to transportation in Enactment 10 of Chapters 1019 and Chapter 1044, Acts of Assembly 2000 not attributable to the insurance license tax on automobile premiums, and shall be used on an on-going basis to provide the additional state share allocated by the Commonwealth Transportation Board for the statewide Capital Assistance program. Such funds deposited each year are to be in addition to and shall not diminish the amounts provided to mass transit as the local share or the amount provided from the Commonwealth Mass Transit Fund.
b. Included within the Public Transportation Programs appropriations for Capital Assistance is $20,000,000 the first year from the general fund to the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority for capital improvements, including railcar storage improvements; $15,000,000 the first year from the general fund for the Virginia Railway Express rolling stock purchases; $10,000,000 the first year from the general fund for statewide bus purchases; and $1,000,000 the first year from the general fund to promote and develop telework programs in the Commonwealth.
5. From the amounts appropriated in this Item from the Commonwealth Mass Transit Fund, $1,965,825 the first year and $2,038,186 the second year is the estimated allocation to statewide Special Programs as provided in § 58.1-638, Code of Virginia.
6. Not included in this appropriation is an amount estimated at $27,440,643 the first year and $22,837,488 the second year allocated to transit agencies from federal sources for the Surface Transportation Program (STP) and the Minimum Guarantee program.
B. 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. 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 $4,000,000 the first year and $4,000,000 the second year. Eligible applicants for grants shall include state and 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.
C. 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.
D. 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.