VA SB731

Requires private companies contracted by counties or cities to provide public transportation to pay employees hourly rates and benefits equivalent to comparable county/city employees based on qualifications and years of service

Prohibits contracted private companies from subcontracting transportation services; all services must be provided through the company's own employees

Mandates that successor private contractors must offer employment to all predecessor company employees without loss of compensation or benefits

Requires counties or cities that transition from private contractors to operating their own public transit systems to adopt collective bargaining ordinances and offer employment to all private company employees

Exempts commuter rail, paratransit services, demand responsive services, and ferry services from these requirements; provisions take effect January 1, 2027, with a work group reporting implementation recommendations by November 1, 2026