The Transportation, Remuneration, Incentive Program (TRIP) was a five-year public transit program operated by West Virginia which later funded bus systems in the state.
In 1974, the state of West Virginia began TRIP, targeting rural and suburban areas to meet unserved transportation needs from low-income individuals, the elderly, and handicapped persons. The program also dealt with inflation, and struggling bus systems. Funding was acquired by the state itself, the Community Services Administration, the Urban Mass Transit Administration, the Federal Highway Administration, the Administration on Aging, and the Department of Health Education and Welfare. The project focused on fixed route bus service and ended on June 30, 1979 with a 100% increase in ridership and a %144 increase in revenue. 12,000 subsidy tickets were sold to disabled, elderly, and low-income riders. Most riders used the transit systems for work or shopping-related purposes. 22 out of the 55 counties in West Virginia participated in TRIP. The program found a database problem of implementation of bus systems. Taxi companies also benefited from the program.
Between 1979 and 1980, the former TRIP program guaranteed transit agencies $1,200,000 in state and federal funding that was matched with local funding. The funds fell onto the responsibility of local politicians.
Later, public transit authorities were created under Section 147 to better serve the general public. Central West Virginia Transit Authority, Eastern Panhandle Transit Authority, Fairmont Marion County Transit Authority, Monongalia County Transit Authority, Mountain Transit Authority, Ohio Valley Regional Transportation Authority, and Potomac Valley Transit Authority were funded by TRIP.
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