The Central Virginia Transportation Authority (CVTA) convened on April 25, 2025, to discuss the regional public transportation plan and budget allocations for the upcoming fiscal year. The meeting focused on the approval of the six-year improvement plan and the distribution of funds among various transit operations and planning studies.

The meeting began with a presentation on the capital program, which primarily utilizes merit-based funding through the Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT) and the Transit Ridership Incentive Program (TRIP). The draft budget for the operating plan was set at approximately $112 million, with $28.6 million earmarked for maintaining service operations and an additional $250,000 allocated for planning studies. The projected accrual for the year stands at $34 million.

Key discussions included the allocation of funds for micro transit zones in collaboration with the City of Richmond and Henrico County, which are set to be implemented in July. The TAC (Technical Advisory Committee) highlighted the need for a balanced distribution of funds between operational needs and capital investments, emphasizing the importance of maintaining reserves while addressing growing transit demands.

A unanimous recommendation from the TAC was made to approve the fiscal year 2026 regional public transportation plan, with discussions centering on budgetary needs and the potential for increased capital investments to support the region's expanding transit infrastructure. The committee acknowledged the necessity for further dialogue on how to effectively allocate resources to meet both operational and capital project demands.

The meeting concluded with a call for collaboration among local jurisdictions to prioritize significant projects, such as transfer stations and bus rapid transit initiatives, which require substantial investment. The CVTA aims to work closely with regional partners to navigate funding opportunities and ensure the effective implementation of transit improvements in the coming years.