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Committee forwards $275,000 VTA grant to fund rides‑to‑work pilot for TANF-eligible residents
Summary
Council staff and transportation officials described a $275,000 Virginia Transit Association grant to support a door‑to‑door vanpool 'rides to work' program for TANF‑eligible households; the committee forwarded the ordinance with a recommendation to approve and asked for program metrics and follow-up.
The committee voted to forward Ordinance 2026‑085, authorizing the CAO to accept $275,000 from the Virginia Transit Association (VTA) and appropriate the amount to the FY25–26 special fund budget for DPW shared mobility's free 'rides to work' program.
Daniel Wagner described the program as an annual grant-funded micro‑transit vanpool that fills gaps where fixed-route GRTC service does not reach and which this year has been expanded to cover trips to child care as well as jobs. Wagner said the program does not compete with GRTC fixed-route service but provides complementary door-to-door service for TANF‑eligible families; the service is operated by a local nonprofit/private provider (identified in committee as Palms and Pines). Wagner said about 60 people are regularly signed up and there is a wait list; he said success measures include demand and whether the program reduces ongoing need by helping participants access jobs closer to home.
Council members asked whether the money is a grant (it is), eligibility and screening (TANF requirement and not within walking distance of a GRTC route), mode of service (vanpool/microtransit), insurance and operator responsibilities (operator provides insurance), and how the program is communicated to potential riders. Wagner said staff will follow up with the committee with more details on enrollment, waitlist length and geographic distribution of riders.
A motion to forward the acceptance and appropriation passed by voice vote. The committee requested additional information on program metrics and longer-term funding sustainability if the grant ends.
Next steps: the item will go to general counsel and council for formal acceptance and appropriation; staff will return with usage and wait-list data and outreach plans.
