City of Alexandria, Virginia
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MEMORANDUM
DATE: MAY 21, 2026
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL
THROUGH: JAMES F. PARAJON, CITY MANAGER
FROM: LEAH RILEY, DIRECTOR, TRANSPORTATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES
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Consideration of a Resolution to Approve the GO Alex Strategic Plan, Fiscal Years 2027 - 2031
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ISSUE: The City is proposing the GO Alex Strategic Plan for Fiscal Years 2027 - 2031.
RECOMMENDATION: That the City Council approve the resolution (Attachment 1) approving the GO Alex Strategic Plan for Fiscal Years 2027 - 2031.
BACKGROUND: The Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation’s (DRPT) Commuter Assistance Program (CAP) Grant requires the City to create a five-year CAP Strategic Plan. This plan is intended to identify programs and projects that will eventually be funded by the CAP grant in future years. The strategic plan also provides the City, through GO Alex, the opportunity to evaluate and update the team’s programs and services to respond to changes in travel demand, mobility, and transportation needs.
DISCUSSION: The GO Alex Strategic Plan for FY 2027-2031 establishes a forward-looking framework to guide the City’s commuter assistance program, aligning future grant funding, program delivery, and outreach with evolving travel behavior and mobility needs. Developed in coordination with DRPT requirements, the plan positions GO Alex to promote transportation choices, better connect to City transportation investments, and strategically apply for and allocate funding resources.
Grounded in a vision of an Alexandria where everyone is informed about their transportation options and empowered to choose safe, seamless, and convenient ways to move, the plan organizes services under a “Live, Work, and Visit” framework. This approach focuses on targeted strategies such as training and education, incentives, events and engagement, access and pilot programs, marketing, and program administration to encourage more efficient and sustainable travel.
The plan also advances modernization and innovation through investments in tools like a customer relationship management system and introduces new and pilot programs, including travel training, e-bike incentives, a youth transportation program, an e-bike lending library, and a water taxi study. Together, these efforts strengthen GO Alex’s ability to connect residents, employees, and visitors with a range of transportation options while supporting the City’s broader mobility goals.
Staff presented the plan to the Transportation Commission on April 15, 2026 for discussion and the Commission recommended Council approve the plan (Attachment 3).
FISCAL IMPACT: There is no fiscal impact from adopting this plan. The plan pulls together elements of approved plans (e.g. Alexandria Mobility Plan, GO Alex’s annual work plans, and the City of Alexandria Strategic Plan FY26-28), and preparation of the plan was funded by DRPT’s FY26 Technical Assistance grant. Approval of all grant funding referenced in the plan will require separate Council approval at future dates.
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment 1: Resolution
Attachment 2: GO Alex Strategic Plan, Fiscal Years 2027 - 2031
Attachment 3: Endorsement from Transportation Commission
Attachment 4: Presentation
STAFF:
Emily A. Baker, Deputy City Manager
Hillary Orr, Deputy Director of Transportation, T&ES
Katye North, Division Chief, Transportation Planning, T&ES
Josh Etim, GO Alex Program Manager, Mobility Services, T&ES