Bill > HB5161

This bill, titled the West Virginia Rural Mobility and Transportation Access Act, aims to improve transportation options in rural areas of the state by leveraging federal funding, encouraging participation from private companies, non-profits, and local governments, and supporting new transportation methods without the state directly operating any transit systems. It establishes a Rural Mobility Grant and Innovation Program, administered by the Division of Highways or another designated agency, to provide grants for operating assistance, capital expenses like vehicles and technology, pilot programs for demand-response and micro transit (flexible, on-demand shared rides), and mobility management services which coordinate existing transportation resources. The bill defines "rural area" as any area outside an urbanized zone with 50,000 or more people, and "eligible provider" as entities like county or municipal governments, non-profits, private transportation companies, or human service agencies. It emphasizes a policy of supporting rural transportation access, prioritizing federal and private funds, promoting innovation, coordinating services with other sectors like health and workforce development, and crucially, prohibits the state from owning vehicles or directly running transportation services, instead focusing on distributing funds through grants and contracts to eligible providers. The act also authorizes eligible providers to operate demand-response and micro transit services, potentially in partnership with private companies, and may fund regional "mobility managers" to coordinate services, develop trip-planning systems, and improve efficiency, while requiring grant applicants to demonstrate public input and mandating annual reporting to the Legislature on program outcomes.

Transportation and Infrastructure

http://www.wvlegislature.gov/Bill_Status/Bills_history.cfm?input=5161&year=2026&sessiontype=RS&btype=bill