Radford Transit will soon be increasing its service from Radford to Christiansburg and Blacksburg, thanks to a project funded through the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation’s (DRPT) Transit Ridership Incentive Program (TRIP).
Photo courtesy of the Commonwealth Transportation Board.
CTB TRIP projects to expand transit in Virginia, including between Radford, Blacksburg, and Christiansburg
RICHMOND — Radford Transit service will increase service between Radford, Blacksburg, and Christiansburg, due to approval by the Commonwealth Transportation Board (CTB) of three projects that will expand transit services around the Commonwealth.
The projects are funded through the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation’s (DRPT) Transit Ridership Incentive Program (TRIP) and were approved by the CTB on Dec. 6.
According to the CTB, “the 2020 General Assembly session established TRIP with two goals: to improve the regional connectivity of urban areas and to reduce barriers to transit use for low-income riders. TRIP already supports zero or reduced fare at eight agencies as well as four regional connectivity projects around the commonwealth.”
Radford Transit will expand the operations of its route that connects the town of Christiansburg to the towns of Radford and Blacksburg.
“The route already operates while universities are in session; however, to better meet the needs of university employees and residents of the community, Radford Transit will operate the route all day and throughout the entire year,” the CTB announced. The three-year project will cost $653,963 with state and local funds.
“The Transit Ridership Incentive Program encourages transit agencies to be innovative and flexible in developing solutions to best meet the transportation needs of Virginians,” said Jennifer DeBruhl, Director of the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation. “These projects will improve the mobility of Virginians by closing gaps in transit service as well as enhancing economic opportunity.”
Since TRIP’s creation, DRPT has allocated $24.5 million to multi-year zero-fare/low-income projects and $11.6 million to multi-year regional connectivity projects. This newest round of projects is supported by an additional $5 million the 2022 General Assembly approved for the state budget to put into TRIP. To receive TRIP funds, transit agencies must provide a local match.
Two other approved TRIP projects are in Richmond and Loudon counties.
Radford News Journal Staff report