Regional Transit Authority

Since January 2006, the Charlottesville-Albemarle Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) Policy Board has been discussing the possibility of creating a Regional Transit Authority (RTA) to serve Albemarle County and the City of Charlottesville. Regional transit has been of special interest and a regular topic at monthly MPO Policy Board meetings. The staff research and other work products provided for those monthly discussions are available through the hyperlinks below. This is an ongoing process and as the RTA process evolves, the information below will also evolve.

Regional Transit Authority (RTA) Effort Continues - Enabling Legislation Passed in General Assembly Session

The Albemarle County Board of Supervisors and the Charlottesville City Council received enabling legislation authorizing the formation of an RTA from the General Assembly during the 2009 session. This legislation does not form the Authority, but grants the City and the County permission to form the Authority when deemed appropriate by both bodies. A second piece of legislation that would have granted enabling authority for the County and City to ask voters if they would approve of an increase to the local sales tax by up to one-cent in each locality did not pass. Revenues that might be generated by the tax would be used to fund the operations of the new RTA and remaining funds would be used for other priority transportation projects.

Beginning in April 2009, the RTA Joint Working Group (JWG) will be reconvening at the direction of the Board and Council to discuss the next steps for the RTA.

Third Regional Transit Authority work session held

The Albemarle County Board of Supervisors and the Charlottesville City Council attended a joint work session on the RTA on Tuesday, August 5th, 2008 at CitySpace on the Downtown Mall. During the work session, City and County policymakers reviewed the Draft Final RTA Study Report by consultant Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, and discussed the governance structure and revenue options desired for the RTA.

In order to present draft enabling legislation to the General Assembly for the 2009 session, policy makers must make decisions on issues such as the composition of the Authority Board, who can join and their voting rights. They must also address funding mechanisms that could be implemented locally to provide operating revenue for the RTA. Both bodies agreed to establish a joint working group that includes City Mayor Dave Norris and Councilor Satyendra Huja, Albemarle County Board of Supervisors David Slutzky and Dennis Rooker, with advisory membership from Rebecca White of UVA Parking and Transportation and Donna Shaunesey, Executive Director of JAUNT. The working group will begin meeting in the coming weeks and will report directly back to the County Board of Supervisors and City Council with recommendations for the draft legislation in late Fall 2008.

To download the August 5th agenda click here.
To download the participant packet click here.
To download the draft final report click here.

Appendices:
• Appendix A Regional Transit Management and Governance 07312008.pdf
• Appendix B Labor Analysis and Staffing Plan 07312008.pdf
• Appendix C Transit Supportive Corridors and Areas 07312008.pdf
• Appendix D1 Service Strategies Report 07312008.pdf
• Appendix D2 Service Strategies Addendum 07312008.pdf
• Appendix E Service Standards 07312008.pdf
• Appendix F Prior Investment in CTS 07312008.pdf
• Appendix G Service Strategy and Operating Costs 07302008.pdf
• Appendix H Existing and Potential New Funding Sources 07312008.pdf
• Appendix I Regional Cost Allocation Options 07312008.pdf
• Appendix J Plan for Transition to RTA and Implementation Schedule 07312008.pdf
• Appendix K In-Kind Cost Recordkeeping 07312008.pdf

Overall Vision: Research includes a Resolution of Intent signed by the City Council and Board of Supervisors, overall regional transit vision endorsed by the MPO Policy Board, and summaries of previously created plans and studies that incorporate transit.

1. Resolution of Intent to Establish
2. Endorsed Regional Transit Vision
3. Summary of transit related plans and studies
4. Summary of Public Involvement in transit related plans and studies

Transit Service and Operations: Research includes reviewing existing residential density along key corridors and outlining the location of major employment, commercial, and destinations. Also included in service and operations is examining how to a regional transit authority would provide services to people with disabilities.

1. Overall Charlottesville-Albemarle Urban Area map
2. Charlottesville-Albemarle Urban Area Population Density
3. Charlottesville-Albemarle Urban Area Population Density with Existing Transit Routes
4. Charlottesville-Albemarle Urban Area Population Density with Existing Transit Routes, with approved, new developments in Albemarle County and Charlottesville
5. Memo reviewing how other areas have incorporated paratransit, compliance with Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and University services

Structure: Research includes examining the components of potential management and organizational structures including human resources, overall management, and administration.

1. Memo outlining three options for a Single Regional Transit Agency
2. Memo outlining key actions and questions that will need to be addressed

Legislation and Funding: Research includes a review of existing available funding options and legal authority in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

1. Memo reviewing the current legal authority, available funding, and other issues
2. Review of Issues and Considerations involved in considering a regional transit authority
3. Memo reviewing fare free transit

Additional Resources

Transportation Funding Options Report, October 10, 2005