AGENDA DATE: 9/16/2026
TITLE:
Title
TJPDC Regional Transit Service Prioritization and Implementation Project Update
BODY
SUBJECT/PROPOSAL/REQUEST: Presentation on the Regional Transit Service Prioritization and Implementation Feasibility Study
ITEM TYPE: Regular Information Item
STAFF CONTACT(S): Richardson, Wall, Svoboda, Barnes, McDermott, Swartzendruber, Dimmick
PRESENTER (S): Tonya Swartzendruber
LEGAL REVIEW: Not Required
REVIEWED BY: Jeffrey B. Richardson
BACKGROUND: In 2022, the Thomas Jefferson Planning District Commission (TJPDC) released the Regional Transit Vision Plan, which recommends transit route expansions and frequency improvements in the regional service area encompassing the City of Charlottesville and the Counties of Albemarle, Greene, Nelson, Buckingham, Fluvanna, and Louisa. Charlottesville Area Transit (CAT), Jaunt, UVA, Albemarle County, and BRITE have conducted transit studies recommending other service improvements as well.
Following a recommendation from the Regional Transit Governance Study, the Charlottesville-Albemarle Regional Transit Authority (CARTA) was activated in 2025.
In an effort to consolidate the transit service recommendations from the various plans and develop a unified plan for allocating additional transit funding, the TJPDC, along with Albemarle County and the City of Charlottesville staff, kicked off the Regional Transit Service Prioritization and Implementation Feasibility Study in December of 2025 to develop a prioritized list of service enhancements that future funding would support. Consultant RK&K is leading the effort, which is expected to take approximately 1 year to complete. The study is funded 50% by DRPT Technical Assistance funding and 25% each by Albemarle County and City of Charlottesville funding.
The RK&K team evaluated the transit service improvements identified in the Regional Transit Vision Plan (2022) and other transit planning efforts. The team developed a prioritized list of service improvements and has solicited feedback on transit service characteristics in a public survey. The team released a draft implementation strategy that provides capital and operating cost estimates, identifies potential funding strategies, and recommends a program of transit service improvements over a 5- to 10- year horizon.
STRATEGIC PLAN: Infrastructure and Placemaking - Invest in infrastructure and amenities that create connection, opportunity, and well-being.
DISCUSSION: CARTA is providing guidance and oversight on the Regional Transit Service Prioritization and Implementation Feasibility Study throughout the process. The CARTA Board consists of City Councilors Natalie Oschrin and Jennifer Fleisher and County Supervisors Mike Pruitt and Sally Duncan. Consultant RK&K has briefed CARTA on the study progress and findings during the following meetings:
- January 22, reviewed the project scope,
- March 25, summary of stakeholder discussions, reviewed prioritization criteria,
- May 28, reviewed prioritization methodology, factors, and scoring along with the preliminary prioritized results and weighted factors,
- July 23, reviewed draft implementation plan, next steps included refining the plan based on discussion,
- August 24, reviewed revised draft implementation strategy, next steps include developing the final plan document
Staff will present an overview of CARTA and the Transit Prioritization Study process and highlights from the attached Draft Transit Prioritization and Implementation Strategy (Attachment A). Note the attachment is the same presentation given to the CARTA Board at their August 24th meeting. Feedback from the Board of Supervisors will be provided to the consultant who will revise the plan and present it to the CARTA Board at a future meeting.
BUDGET IMPACT: No immediate budget impact. Recommendations will require a funding source, which may include County financial contributions. The study and recommendations do not commit the County to funding. Mechanisms for funding the recommendations will be a topic of future conversations.
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
Staff recommends that the Board of Supervisors review the attached draft plan, provide feedback, and make a motion to support the direction of the draft Regional Transit Service Implementation Plan.
ATTACHMENTS:
A - Draft Transit Prioritization and Implementation Strategy