The CSPDC has been awarded funding through Virginia’s Transit Ridership Incentive Program (TRIP) to help reduce local match requirements for the Afton Express bus service. The grant, awarded under TRIP’s regional connectivity category, will significantly lower the financial burden on local funding partners over the next five years.

TRIP is administered by the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transit (DRPT) and provides funding to transit agencies and governing bodies to create more accessible, safe, and regionally significant transit networks. The program supports four project categories: zero and reduced fare programs, regional connectivity, public safety, and passenger amenities and facilities.

The regional connectivity component specifically targets improved regional transportation and congestion mitigation in urban areas with populations exceeding 100,000. The Afton Express service, which connects Staunton, Waynesboro, and Augusta County to Charlottesville and Albemarle County, aligns perfectly with these goals by providing essential transit connections for residents and workers.

The TRIP funding follows a step-down structure designed to encourage local sustainability. In fiscal year 2025, DRPT covered 80% of eligible costs, with the state portion decreasing to 60% in fiscal year 2026. This graduated approach allows local partners time to plan for long-term funding while immediately reducing the financial strain on participating jurisdictions. The funding will help ensure the continued operation of this vital transportation link while communities work toward sustainable long-term financing solutions.

Growing Ridership

As ridership on the Afton Express has grown significantly since its 2021 launch, the CSPDC is working with consultants to revise the bus schedule to better serve the expanding ridership base. The schedule optimization aims to make full use of all three vehicles while better aligning trip times with the start and end times of shifts at major employers along the route. With trips around the most popular times now approaching capacity, the team is exploring ways to increase frequency and reduce time gaps between trips to accommodate continued growth.

The comprehensive schedule review focuses on ensuring that as ridership increases, everyone who wants to ride the Afton Express will have a seat. A draft of the new schedule will be released to the public for comment later this summer, with hopes of implementing the revised schedule this fall. This proactive approach to service planning demonstrates the CSPDC’s commitment to meeting the evolving transportation needs of the region’s workforce and residents.