Commuter Assistance Program

The Commuter Assistance Program (CAP), administered by the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT), is designed to enhance the efficiency of travel across the Commonwealth by reducing reliance on single-occupant vehicles. The program focuses on increasing the use of carpools, vanpools, and transit systems to mitigate traffic congestion, decrease vehicle miles traveled, reduce air pollution, and help Virginians save on fuel costs. DRPT supports both operating and project-based initiatives through this statewide funding opportunity. CAP is split into two main funding tracks. The **Operating Assistance** track provides state funding to support the daily operations of local and regional commuter assistance programs. These programs typically offer services such as ride-matching, commuter websites and apps, trip planning tools, emergency ride home services, and marketing campaigns that promote travel alternatives to driving alone. DRPT funds up to 80 percent of the costs for eligible operating activities, with a required 20 percent local match. The second funding track, **Project Assistance**, supports competitive grants for commuter assistance initiatives with a specific goal of increasing transit and shared-ride usage. Examples include employer trip reduction programs, vanpool incentive efforts, and marketing projects aimed at expanding ridership. This category also follows an 80/20 state-local funding split. Projects must demonstrate measurable outcomes such as increases in the number of employees using public transportation or in the formation of vanpools. Eligible applicants include local governments, planning districts, transit providers, and other organizations delivering commuter services in Virginia. All applicants must demonstrate how their proposed project or service contributes to DRPT’s statewide objectives for multimodal transportation and emissions reductions. The funding cannot be used for standard transit operations but must support commuter-specific services. Applications for the CAP are submitted through DRPT’s WebGrants platform during an annual application window running from December 1 to February 1 for the following fiscal year. Interested applicants should consult the DRPT Transit Grant Application Guidance (Blue Book) for detailed eligibility criteria, funding formulas, documentation requirements, and evaluation criteria. Funding awards are typically announced later in the spring, with performance periods aligning with the state's fiscal year starting July 1. The program is recurring annually and is part of DRPT’s broader efforts to advance sustainable, efficient transportation options across Virginia. For more information, including past awards and technical assistance, applicants should visit DRPT’s official website and reference the current guidance document.

Demonstrate measurable increases in ride-sharing and employer support; clearly outline cost-effectiveness.