CVTA approves GRTC’s FY27 funding plan; GRTC reports shelter and bench upgrades and needs to reach 75% stop goal

The Central Virginia Transportation Authority on June 5 voted to approve GRTC’s regional public transportation plan funding for FY27, directing roughly $33.2 million toward operating‑level needs and grant matches while earmarking $2 million for a restricted reserve as part of projected FY27 revenue of about $36.3 million.

GRTC Chief of Staff Miss Torres presented the plan, explaining CBTA funds support both maintaining existing service levels and capital needs. She said GRTC’s consolidated FY27 operating and capital budget totals about $101 million and that CVTA support mostly functions as a modest match within multi‑source funding packages. The authority approved putting the projected FY27 CVTA receipts in restricted reserve for further conversation next year.

Torres also briefed the board on the Essential Transit Infrastructure (ETI) program to add shelters, benches and landing pads at bus stops. Baseline counts were 58 shelters and 334 benches; by May 2026, GRTC reported 131 shelters and 354 benches after replacement and new installations. Anchor costs range from about $25,000 for baseline stop improvements to as much as $85,000 for complex locations; GRTC has spent roughly $5 million so far and has about $6 million encumbered for approved designs. Staff estimated an additional ~$8 million is needed, largely for sites requiring right‑of‑way or curb/sidewalk work to meet the authority’s 75% shelter/bench goal.

Board members asked about siting and timing; staff answered that shelters often require engineering and jurisdictional review (40‑week lead times for some shelters) and that some stop locations are held until ridership patterns are confirmed. GRTC pointed to an interactive project map and public outreach planned for summer and fall as the agency develops a preferred FY28 network scenario.

Next steps: staff will proceed with the approved FY27 allocation, continue ETI installations per engineering schedules and public input, and return updates in upcoming quarterly reports.