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To authorize the Chief Administrative Officer, for and on behalf of the City of Richmond, to accept funds in the amount of $275,000.00 from the Virginia Transit Association and to appropriate the increase to the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Special Fund Budget by increasing estimated revenues and the amount appropriated to the Department of Public Works’ Shared Mobility Special Fund by $275,000.00 for the purpose of funding a Free Rides to Work program.
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THE CITY OF RICHMOND HEREBY ORDAINS:
§ 1. That the Chief Administrative Officer, for and on behalf of the City of Richmond, be and is hereby authorized to accept funds in the amount of $275,000.00 from the Virginia Transit Association for the purpose of funding a Free Rides to Work program.
§ 2. That Article I, Section 2 of Ordinance No. 2025-057, adopted May 12, 2025, which adopted a Special Fund Budget for the fiscal year commencing July 1, 2025, and ending June 30, 2026, and made appropriations pursuant thereto, be and is hereby amended by increasing estimated revenues and the amount appropriated to the Department of Public Works’ Shared Mobility Special Fund by $275,000.00 for the purpose of funding a Free Rides to Work Program.
§ 3. This ordinance shall be in force and effect upon adoption.
DATE: February 25, 2026
TO: The Honorable Members of City Council
THROUGH: The Honorable Danny Avula, Mayor
THROUGH: Odie Donald II, Chief Administrative Officer
THROUGH: Tanikia Jackson, Deputy Chief Administrative Officer
THROUGH: Letitia Shelton, Director of Finance
THROUGH: Meghan Brown, Director of Budget & Strategic Planning
THROUGH: Al Wiggins, Deputy Chief Administrative Officer
THROUGH: Bobby Vincent Jr., Director of Public Works
FROM: Dironna Moore Clarke, Deputy Director, Office of Equitable Transit and Mobility
RE: TO AUTHORIZE THE CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER TO ACCEPT FUNDS IN THE AMOUNT OF $275,000.00 FROM THE VIRGINIA TRANSIT ASSOCIATION’S TANF FARE-FREE GRANT, AND TO AMEND FISCAL YEAR 2025-2026 SPECIAL FUND BUDGET BY INCREASING ESTIMATED REVENUES, AND APPROPRIATE TO THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS’ SHARED MOBILITY SPECIAL FUND BY $275,000.00 FUNDING THE FREE RIDE TO WORK PROGRAM.
ORD. OR RES. No.
PURPOSE: To authorize and execute a cooperation agreement with the Virginia Transit Association to receive funds in the amount of $275,000.00, and appropriate the increase to Special Fund (02915 Cost Center) for the Department of Public Works’ Shared Mobility Program.
BACKGROUND: The Office of Equitable Transit and Mobility has demonstrated that, through car-centric planning as well as land-use and transportation policies over the last century, marginalized people and low-income communities have been denied the same accessibility as those who can afford a personal vehicle. While increasing transit and multimodal access can help, to fully access the same network as the wealthier residents, low-income residents need flexible access to a vehicle that can reach further employment centers that are not accessible via fixed route public transportation, biking, and walking.
The purpose of this project is to demonstrate the feasibility of a subsidized van-share/micro-transit for low-income residents. Many vital living-wage employment destinations are only accessible by personal vehicle, this service meets equitable accessibility goals as well as trip reduc-tion and environmental goals. This program demonstrates the willingness of low-income residents to use cost-share services in the long term.
This program will continue to provide access while de-incentivizing single occupancy vehicle trips. The program will expose residents to the benefits of ride-sharing as a cost saving measure, as well as a way to reduce vehicle trips, and meet personal environmental impact goals.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: The Office of Equitable Transit and Mobility engaged the public in an intensive, equity focused, planning process from Spring 2021 to Winter 2024 while completing the Path to Equity: Policy Guide for Richmond Connects and the Richmond Connects Strategic and Action Plans. During that time, 6 rounds of community engagement to hear feedback were completed. Over 20,000 Richmonders participated in some way during the process. Hundreds of hours were spent having conversations with residents who have been left out of previous planning processes and access to jobs and economic centers was common in collected feedback.
STRATEGIC INITIATIVES AND OTHER GOVERNMENTAL: The Free Rides to Work program conforms to the Equitable Transportation Vision set forth in the Richmond 300 Master Plan.
FISCAL IMPACT: The total amount of this award is $275,000.00. The Office of Equitable Transit and Mobility will use the funding for the Free Rides to Work program. There is no match requirement.
DESIRED EFFECTIVE DATE: Upon Adoption.
REQUESTED INTRODUCTION DATE: April 13, 2026
CITY COUNCIL PUBLIC HEARING DATE: April 27, 2026
REQUESTED AGENDA: Consent Agenda.
RECOMMENDED COUNCIL COMMITTEE: Land Use, Housing and Transportation Standing Committee Meeting.
AFFECTED AGENCIES: Department of Public Works; Law Department; Planning and Development; Economic and Community Development; Department of Public Utilities; Finance Department; Budget and Strategic Planning; Copies also sent to: City Mayor (Danny Avula); Chief Administrative Officer (Odie Donald, II,); and City Attorney.
RELATIONSHIP TO EXISTING ORD. OR RES.:
ATTACHMENTS: Virginia Transit Association Award Letter
STAFF: Dironna Moore Clarke, Deputy Director, Office of Equitable Transit and Mobility x3074
Brandon King, Program and Operations Supervisor, Office of Equitable Transit and Mobility x4696