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Charlottesville votes to join Charlottesville‑Albemarle Regional Transit Authority
Summary
Council approved initial membership in the Charlottesville‑Albemarle Regional Transit Authority (CARTA), authorizing future appointments and signaling a regional approach to transit planning and grant applications.
The City Council voted on Dec. 16 to approve Charlottesville as an initial member of the Charlottesville‑Albemarle Regional Transit Authority (CARTA). Ben Chambers, the city's transportation planning manager, and Anne Wall, Albemarle County deputy county executive, described CARTA's roots in planning studies dating to 2008 and a 2024 governance study recommending formation of the authority to support regional long‑range planning, advocacy and grant applications.
Chambers said the bylaws align with enabling state legislation and initially identify the city and county as members, with an option for Fluvanna, Greene, Louisa and Nelson counties to join later. Staff described near‑term actions for CARTA as establishing bylaws, electing leadership, appointing committees and preparing grant applications; TJPDC will pursue a DRPT grant in January to fund consultant support while CARTA is being stood up.
Councilors praised the multi‑jurisdictional coordination and staff from the county and TJPDC; the county had already approved the same resolution. The measure passed by council vote and staff said they will return in January to name council members to serve on CARTA and to endorse the DRPT grant application.
What happens next: staff will bring an item to name city representatives to CARTA and consider the DRPT application; CARTA will proceed to finalize bylaws and begin regional planning work.
