FY2026 Work Program

Perform transit planning work on behalf of DVRPC’s member governments that reflects and advances industry best practices. Support the integrated consideration of transit access and mobility with smart land use planning. Leverage the technical capabilities of DVRPC to develop and share planning tools that make good-practice planning and analysis more accessible to local partners and the public.

The Regional Transit Planning Program funds a coordinated program of transit planning projects requested annually by DVRPC's member governments, including evaluations of proposed services or facilities, corridor level transit analysis, evaluations of enhancements to transit access, studies to improve bicycle and pedestrian connectivity with transit, and examinations of the relationship between land use and transit for specific sites or corridors. To the degree appropriate for a given task or project, work will be approached in an integrated way, drawing on staff expertise across DVRPC offices or partner agencies to best meet the needs of the planning partner. Work tasks may range from data/quantitative analysis to concept-level facility, service design and visualization, and project wrap-up. In addition, DVRPC will act as a convener and coordinator to share ideas, education, and training with our partners. Some of these activities may also require DVRPC to purchase materials, supplies, and other services to meet program goals.

This program supports data collection, processing, and sharing activities wherever possible. This data collection and analysis may include information about transit stations and their surrounding land use, ridership, parking, and related data. Surveys conducted in coordination with DVRPC’s Office of Travel Monitoring, Office of Modeling and Analysis, Office of Safe Streets, and our planning partners may support specific planning studies as well as transportation modeling efforts and the evaluation of transit alternatives in the region. Central to this program is the development of data-driven tools to inform investment decisions and local decision making by making technical concepts more accessible to nontechnical audiences. 

Federal and state guidance puts an emphasis on the regional coordination of investments made to improve transportation access by disadvantaged populations. This may include projects formerly funded under the Federal Transit Administration (FTA)’s Job Access and Reverse Commute (JARC) program, which may now be funded under the FTA Section 5307 Urbanized Area Formula Program or state level New Jersey JARC program, and the FTA Enhanced Mobility for Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities (Section 5310) program. The Regional Transit Planning Program supports DVRPC participation in project development and prioritization for Coordinated Human Services Transportation Planning (CHSTP) programs in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, as well as regional analysis and regional Coordinated Plan updates.

In FY26 there will be a focus on program development to improve bus stop access and infrastructure.

1. Development of program to improve bus stops access and infrastructure. This could include but is not limited to identifying how peer regions (within PA, NJ and other parts of the country) cover the cost to install and maintain bus shelters and their connecting infrastructure and amenities using federal and especially non-federal funds. The recommendations of this task will focus on local and potentially state policy updates and changes, pilots to test ideas, detailed installation and maintenance costs, specifications and contracts, and suggestions on potential new partners to engage to assist in these tasks.  
2. Support Office fo Safe Streets to conduct Vision Zero corridor safety studies, focused on priority corridors from the Regional High Injury Network. The bulk of this work is funded separately via the 25-52-190 Regional Vision Zero Plan Supplemental Planning and Partner Support project.
3. As part of the Regional Sidewalk Development Program, continue to coordinate with SEPTA to identify ways to advance stop/station access improvement projects off SEPTA property, potentially with SEPTA as a project sponsor or playing a leading role in design and construction.
4. Provide technical assistance to help implement The Philadelphia Transit Plan, particularly as it relates to bus delay.
5. Conduct limited license plate surveys upon member government request (as capacity permits) at rail stations in DVRPC PA region, to understand station park-and-ride markets.
6. Provide continuing support to SEPTA and other local partners on issues related to SEPTA’s trolley modernization program for the City of Philadelphia and Delaware County.
7. Provide ongoing DVRPC participation in and project support for City of Philadelphia-SEPTA "Connect"/Transit Priority committee efforts, including participation in collaborative committees.
8. Provide Subject Matter Expert (SME) review for potential transit facilities and connections for PennDOT projects through the PennDOT Connects program.
9. Review, assess, generate, and apply innovative or state-of-the-art planning practices. Develop new means of analyzing data to meet the changing requirements of integrated transit, bicycle/pedestrian, and land use planning.
10. Work with state and regional planning partners (PennDOT, SEPTA, PATCO, and NJ TRANSIT) to participate in regional CHSTP project development, prioritization, and selection rounds as appropriate.
11. Identify and share best practices in the region on research and practical experience with regional partners, as appropriate.
12. This program also supports specific tasks as requested by DVRPC member governments and planning partners.
13. Ensure that appropriate technical resources (such as new software) are available for staff use as new best practices develop.
14. Engage with partners on the format, regularity, and potential topics to reactivate the Regional Transit Advisory Committee (RTAC).

Member governments, regional TMAs, SEPTA, PATCO, NJ TRANSIT, and the transit-riding public.