Capital Assistance - Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation
Forecasted
Capital Assistance - Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation supports Virginia transit providers with capital projects that maintain existing assets and improve or expand public transportation service.
Funder: Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation
Due Dates (Anticipated): December 2026 (Major Expansion pre-application) | February 2027 (full application)
Funding Amounts: State share up to 68% for State of Good Repair and Minor Enhancement; up to 50% for Major Expansion
Summary: Funds capital projects that maintain, improve, or expand public transportation services in Virginia.
Key Information: Projects generally require at least a 4% local match; DRPT may reduce it for projects awarded federal discretionary funding.
Description
Capital Assistance is part of Making Efficient and Responsible Investments in Transit (MERIT), a statewide program administered by the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT). It supports capital projects needed to maintain, improve, or expand public transportation services in Virginia, including vehicles, facilities, equipment, bus stops, and shelters. Operating expenditures, depreciation, and preventive maintenance are excluded.
DRPT classifies and scores requests as State of Good Repair, Minor Enhancement, or Major Expansion projects. Its prioritization process favors maintaining existing assets first, then improving and expanding transit service. Projects are ranked within their categories, with funding directed to those meeting the applicable scoring threshold.
