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Council endorses Radford Transit FY26–27 operating and capital request, citing route constraints and $267,009 city share
Summary
Radford City Council endorsed the city’s FY26–27 Radford Transit application to VDRPT and FTA, approving an operating request that trims city costs by about $20,000 through route consolidation and requests capital funds for replacement buses.
Radford City Council voted Jan. 27 to endorse the Radford Transit FY26–27 operating and capital application to the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation (VDRPT) and the Federal Transit Administration (FTA).
Melissa (speaker identified in the meeting as the presenter for the transit application) told council the total operating request is about $2,529,724 and that the city’s share is roughly $267,009.34 — about $20,000 less than previously budgeted after combining and modifying some routes to reduce costs. She said the city applied for capital funding for replacement buses (six vehicles) and noted the city’s capital portion for vehicle replacement was included in the application.
Council members pressed for clarity on what the endorsement would allow them to change once the contract is in place. Melissa said route reductions and changes are constrained by the existing service contract; the university portion of service affords limited flexibility, and greater route adjustments would have to await contract renegotiation (the contract renewal window was discussed as more than a year away). She said the transit system serves roughly 150,000 passenger trips a year and provides critical service for jobs, groceries and medical appointments.
A motion to endorse the FY26–27 transit operating and capital budget was moved and seconded and approved by voice vote. Council members framed the endorsement as an affirmation of continued support for transit service while seeking cost containment measures.
The endorsement authorizes staff to submit the application to VDRPT and FTA and to pursue available trips grants and free‑fare portions as applicable; final state allocations were noted as not yet finalized until the state budget process completes in May.
