The Board of the Greater Lynchburg Transit Company (GLTC) approved a five-year strategic plan, its first plan developed under Virginia’s Making Efficient + Responsible Investments in Transit (MERIT) Program.
The program, administered by the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT), was created in 2018 to bring major reform and accountability to public transportation funding statewide. Under the MERIT Program and following enactment by the 2018 Virginia General Assembly of a series of comprehensive reforms, Transit Strategic Plans (TSPs) ensure that transit services are planned in a way that better meet the mobility needs of their communities, providing them the opportunity to evaluate and update services and networks to respond to changes in demand.
“Last year, DRPT began implementation of reforms designed to create greater accountability and transparency for our transit agencies,” said Virginia Secretary of Transportation Shannon Valentine. “As one of our pilot programs, GLTC has developed a plan to address transit use, improve efficiency and target opportunities to respond to the needs of all residents in the Lynchburg area, which is even more important during these unprecedented times.”
DRPT Director Jennifer Mitchell added, “The strategic planning process that was developed by DRPT and utilized by GLTC provided an open and transparent opportunity for the community to identify its highest priorities for transit service. This prioritization will serve as an important roadmap for GLTC to continue to move forward throughout the post-pandemic recovery.”
As transit systems with 20 or more vehicles in areas of 50,000 or more citizens, 16 agencies across Virginia are now required to complete a TSP every five years. Recognizing the level of effort required to accomplish these goals, in 2019 DRPT announced a pilot program to assist the GLTC and Hampton Roads Transit (HRT) with completing the first TSPs in the commonwealth.
“This was an opportunity for GLTC to look at our system strategically, re-examine the priorities of our stakeholders and riders, and make difficult choices concerning where and how to provide services in an efficient and cost-effective manner. This document will be a critical guide for future service improvements that are efficient as we work to emerge and recover post COVID-19,” said Brian Booth, GLTC general manager. “We thank DRPT for their visionary support and efforts to help us bring better and safer travel options to citizens and businesses of Lynchburg.”
