FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 24, 2025

Contact:
Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation
Jordan Chapman
jordan.chapman@drpt.virginia.gov
(804) 840-0419

Federal Transit Administration Awards DRPT Over $8 Million to Replace Aging Rural Transit Vehicles

The Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT) was recently awarded $8,621,909 through the Federal Transit Administration’s (FTA) 5339(b) Buses and Bus Facilities Program to replace aging rural transit vehicles. The funding is part of the program’s national investment of over $2 billion to 165 projects across the country.

DRPT has a vision of fostering a connected Commonwealth with an integrated multimodal network that serves every person, every business, and every need. This funding furthers DRPT’s vision by helping replace 78 rural transit buses and vans that have surpassed their useful lives, enabling 11 transit agencies to maintain a state of good repair for Virginia’s critical transit assets. These transit agencies include:

• STAR Transit – serving Accomack and Northampton
• Bay Aging – serving Charles City, Essex, Gloucester, King and Queen, King William, Lancaster, Mathews, Middlesex, New Kent, Northumberland, Richmond, and Westmoreland
• Danville Transit – serving Danville and Pittsylvania
• Mountain Lynx – serving Abingdon, Galax, Marion, Wytheville, Bland, Carroll, Grayson, Smyth, Washington, and Wythe
• Jaunt – serving Albemarle, Buckingham, Charlottesville, Fluvanna, Greene, Louisa, and Nelson
• Lake Country Area Agency on Aging – serving Brunswick, Halifax, and Mecklenburg
• Mountain Empire Older Citizens – serving Lee, Norton, Scott and Wise
• Blackstone Area Bus System – serving Crewe, Burkeville, Kenbridge, Victoria, Alberta, McKenney, Nottoway, Lunenburg, Brunswick, Buckingham, Cumberland, and Dinwiddie
• Farmville Area Bus – serving Farmville and Prince Edward
• UHSTS/RADAR – serving Allegany, Clifton Forge, Iron Gate, Buena Vista, Covington, Franklin County, Rocky Mount, Henry, Lexington, Martinsville, Roanoke, Vinton, Rockbridge, and Salem
• Virginia Regional Transit – serving Warrenton, Culpeper, Front Royal, Warren, Orange, Louisa, Clarke, and Fauquier
  
  

“DRPT is committed to making transportation safe, accessible, and reliable in every corner of the Commonwealth,” shared DRPT Director Tiffany Robinson. “For some of Virginia’s most isolated areas and individuals, rural transit provides crucial connectivity to lifeline services. We are honored that FTA has recognized our dedication to creating connections for our rural riders.”

In certain parts of rural Virginia, up to seven percent of households lack access to cars. The replacement of these vehicles is a vital investment in mobility, especially for communities and families who depend on public transportation for daily life. Replacing the current fleet significantly enhances safety, efficiency, and service quality, meeting the significant need for transportation in rural communities while reducing long-term costs and environmental impacts.

Two of DRPT’s public transportation partners were also awarded funding through the 5339(b) Buses and Bus Facilities program:

• The City of Alexandria will receive $10,939,552 for its DASH Bus Fleet Replacement & Facility Rehabilitation project, bringing DASH closer to its goals of a 100% zero emission fleet and building infrastructure to propel fleet expansion.
• The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) will receive $50,322,380 to purchase low-emission transit buses, leveraging links across Northern Virginia while reducing transportation’s environmental impact.
  
  

Interested in learning more about how public transportation is funded in Virginia? Visit the Six-Year Improvement Program page on DRPT’s Open Data Portal.

About the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation

DRPT's mission is to connect and improve the quality of life for all Virginians with innovative transportation solutions. The agency works with rail and public transportation stakeholders to provide service to people throughout Virginia and promotes transportation options to the general public, businesses, and community decision makers. DRPT's vision is a connected Commonwealth with an integrated multimodal network that serves every person, every business, and every need. For more information, please visit www.drpt.virginia.gov.

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