National RTAP eNews - February 12, 2026

eNews - February 12, 2026

National RTAP is a program of the Federal Transit Administration dedicated to creating rural and tribal transit solutions through free training materials, technical assistance, and partner collaboration.

Newsletter Highlights

New National RTAP eLearning Course: Procurement 101 and Beyond

Upcoming Learn About TACL Training Webinar

Updated National RTAP Tech Brief - Insurance and Risk Management: Risk Retention Pools

H.R.7148, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2026 Ends Partial Government Shutdown

New National RTAP eLearning Course: Procurement 101 and Beyond

Recipients and subrecipients of federal funding will learn how to create FTA-compliant procurements. A new National RTAP eLearning course, Procurement 101 and Beyond, offers an introduction to the FTA requirements and the general steps to take before making a purchase or awarding a contract. It is largely based on National RTAP's Procurement 101 and Procurement - Beyond 101 sections of the Transit Manager's Toolkit. The course also contains training and a video on National RTAP's ProcurementPRO technology tool. After you complete the course and pass the quiz, you will receive a certificate of completion.

Thank you to the following National RTAP Review Board members for their review of this course: John Andoh, Redding Area Bus Authority (RABA); Dion Knipp, OATS Transit; Katie Miller, Virginia DRPT; Tom Nutter, Oklahoma DOT; Kevin Wassom, Michigan DOT; and Diana White, Fairfield County Transit System.

Procurement 101 and Beyond eLearning

Upcoming Learn About TACL Training Webinar

The next Learn About TACL training will take place on February 23, 2026 from 2:00-3:00 PM ET. The session will instruct on how to use TACL, The Transportation Technical Assistance Coordination Library, and include a Resource Feature by the Transit Workforce Center (TWC) on College Partnerships in Public Transportation Workforce Development.

Updated National RTAP Tech Brief - Insurance and Risk Management: Risk Retention Pools

National RTAP updated its technical brief on Insurance and Risk Management Solutions: Risk Retention Pools. The brief focuses on the risk management solution that is proven to provide cost benefits and stability for rural transit systems over time: risk retention pools. Updates include additional information about insurance deductibles and updated bibliographic citations.

Thank you to National RTAP Review Board member Tom Nutter, Project Manager, Oklahoma Department of Transportation, for the review of the 2026 update.

Risk Retention Pools Tech Brief

Upcoming National RTAP Events

We will be holding a webinar on Introducing the National RTAP Volunteer Driver Program Toolkit today, February 12, 2026 from 2:00-3:00 PM ET. Sponsored by WSDOT, National RTAP, and CASTA, this guide offers direction, best practices, insights, case studies, resources, and lessons learned from programs across the country.

The National RTAP Books in Transit Discussion Group selected The New Life by Nobel Prize winning author Orhan Pamuk as our next book to read. In the book, a student takes bus trips in pursuit of a vision. Our next meeting will be on February 19, 2026 from 2:00-3:00 PM ET.

Did you know that National RTAP has an online Resource Library with over 1,000 full-text, high-quality, curated resources about rural and Tribal transit? Join Cara Marcus, National RTAP Knowledge and Resource Manager, for a hands-on Tips to Become a National RTAP Resource Library Super-User workshop on March 10, 2026 from 2:00-3:00 PM, that will demonstrate pro-tips for using the library, finding and accessing the resources you need, ordering resources from our shipping center and circulating collection, and more.

Technology Tools Office Hours

National RTAP offers free, live GTFS Builder support on Thursdays from 1:00-1:30 PM ET. Use this link to join. National RTAP also offers live technical support for Website Builder on Tuesdays from 1:00-1:30 PM ET. Share your screen, ask questions, and get help. Use this link to join – no need to register for either session.

National RTAP Seeking Nominations for Review Board Members

National RTAP is seeking nominations for Review Board members to fill vacancies for the 2026–2028 term. We are hoping to get several State DOT candidates to fill projected openings for State DOT representatives. Terms begin with the member’s first meeting and run for three years. We welcome nominations from qualified individuals, including self-nominations, to represent state, rural, and tribal transit providers. Find out more and submit a nomination. Applications are due February 17, 2026.

RideSheet User Testimonial Videos Published

RideSheet is a tool for operating and reporting on small demand-response transportation services, supporting rural, Tribal, and small urban specialized services that are ready to move away from paper scheduling spreadsheets to more technology-driven tools. Watch videos at the bottom of the web page from Clay County, Kansas, and Lake County, Oregon, to learn how RideSheet has helped to transform their transit services.

National RTAP Cited in Main Street America's Thriving Communities Transportation Toolkit

Main Street America's Thriving Communities Transportation Toolkit provides training on how to build a team, develop a project, and activate and manage infrastructure. Main Street America worked closely with 20 rural and tribal communities to develop the Toolkit. The report cites National RTAP as a resource that is a great place to start.

National RTAP Trialing Chatbot

National RTAP is trialing a bot to assist users when they try to reach us by chat when our support team is unavailable, or it is outside of our regular business hours. If you receive a message from our chatbot during the trial and have feedback, please contact us.

NADO Tribal Transit Tip Sheet Cites National RTAP

The National Association of Development Organizations (NADO) Tip Sheet on Steps to Establish a Tribal Transit Program is a flow chart that shows the steps (identify a need, conduct a needs assessment, etc.) and components of each step. QR codes at the bottom link to additional resources, including National RTAP Tribal Transit Resources and the Technical Assistance Coordination Library (TACL).

National RTAP Participation in Upcoming Conferences

We're presenting, exhibiting, and participating at the following conferences and meetings:

Amalgamated Transit Union Louisiana Legislative Conference, Baton Rouge, LA, February 28 - March 1
Rural Communities Opioid Response Program (RCORP) Reverse Site Visit, Washington, DC, March 3-5
Crawford Area Transit Authority (CATA), Transit Retreat, Mobile, AL, March 4-5
National RTAP / TSI, Fundamentals of Bus Collision Investigation, Hollywood, FL, March 9-13
Alaska Tribal Transportation Work Group (ATTWG), 22nd Annual Alaska Tribal Transportation Symposium, Anchorage, AK, March 24-26
Arizona’s 39th Annual Statewide Transit, Mesa, AZ, April 6-8
CALACT Spring Conference, Temecula, CA, April 13-16
PPTA Annual Meeting & Expo, Lancaster, PA, April 20-23
2026 NCPTA Conference, Expo, Roadeo and Golf Tournament, Cherokee, NC, April 26-29
AMM Conference, Oklahoma City, OK, April 27-29
TTA Conference and Roadeo, April 28 - May 2, Lubbock, TX
CTAA, Omaha, NE, May 10-13
CTANW Summit, Leavenworth, WA, May 18-19
URSTA Conference and Roadeo, Price, UT, September 22-25

National RTAP Bloodborne Pathogens Topic Guide Updated

National RTAP continues its annual Topic Guide updates with our Bloodborne Pathogens Topic Guide. New resources include:

National RTAP Survey on AI

National RTAP is developing a technical brief on understanding artificial intelligence and how it can be used in transit. We are asking transit agencies to fill out a very brief survey on their use of this technology. It is anonymous and will only be used to help shape our technical brief. We are only looking for feedback from transit agencies. If you have questions, please contact us. Thank you!

Recording Published for Building Your Technology Universe Published

National RTAP and AASHTO Transit Management held a Building Your Technology Universe: Understanding the Value of GTFS and Building a Technology Culture webinar on February 3, 2026. Participants learned how their agencies could turn GTFS feed into the precise and truly meaningful data asset that elevates service for both the agency and riders. Access the recording and slides.

State RTAP Manager Peer Roundtable Summary Published

National RTAP's State RTAP Manager Peer Roundtable was held on January 28, 2026. Topics included RTAP training for transit board members, State RTAP Communities of Practice websites, State RTAP newsletters, State RTAP conferences, maintenance roadeos, and others. Read the summary.

Call for Collaboration: Rural Travel Training Program Guide Workgroup

National RTAP invites State DOT staff, mobility managers, transit coordinators, and transportation professionals to join a collaborative work group to develop a Rural Travel Training 101 Manual. The submission deadline is February 27, 2026.

Offices Closed on President's Day

National RTAP offices will be closed on Monday, February 16, 2026. We will be in touch when we return.

U.S. DOT and FTA Updates

The FTA FY26 Comprehensive Review Contractor’s Manual was published. The Manual conveys FTA’s expectations of our oversight contractors for assessing compliance of FTA recipients. Each section contains a review area question, basic requirement, indicators of compliance, and other topics.

The Office of the Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology invites the public and transportation system stakeholders to provide comments today, February 12, 2026, to inform the development of the U.S. DOT Research, Development, and Technology Strategic Plan for fiscal years 2026-2030.

FTA established an Emergency Relief Docket for calendar year 2026, so grantees and subgrantees affected by a national or regional emergency or disaster may request temporary relief from FTA administrative and statutory requirements.

FTA terminated its rulemaking titled Statewide and Nonmetropolitan Planning; Metropolitan Transportation Planning, which would have proposed updates to its transportation planning regulations.

U.S. DOT is seeking information through March 6, 2026 from the public, industry, technology developers, state, local, and tribal transportation agencies, researchers, and other stakeholders. The focus of this request is to seek public and stakeholder input on the research and development activities needed to modernize the nation’s transportation system through the application of digital infrastructure at scale.

The FTA Census Map is an interactive map of National Transit Database (NTD) reporters. Color-coding shows rural and Tribal reporters and users can click on the map dots to see transit agency websites, addresses, and data on unlinked passenger trips and total vehicles operated at maximum service.

The U.S. DOT Reconnecting Communities Institute provides direct technical assistance to communities that are working to expand economic opportunity and mobility through transportation reconnection projects.

U.S. DOT updated its EV Charger Program to include Buy America requirements. Once the updated waiver is finalized, the requirement will be immediately applicable to federally funded EV charger projects during acquisition or installation.

Webinars and Training

The National Operations Center of Excellence (NOCoE) expanded its Workforce Training Database to include new Transportation Systems Management and Operations (TSMO) training and certification programs. Users can filter by topics, including connected vehicles, procurement, and others.

The Center for Tribal Transportation is holding a Contracts Training Course in Fountain Hills, AZ, on March 18-19, 2026. This comprehensive two-day training provides tribal government professionals with the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively manage transportation design and construction contracts. Participants will learn FHWA requirements, procurement best practices, contract administration, and legal contracts.

Publications

TCRP's Public Transit Workforce Development for Zero-Emission Vehicles identifies and is organized around seven areas of skills and knowledge that frontline employees need to operate and maintain zero-emission vehicles in revenue service, specifically full-size, 40- to 60-foot battery-electric, and fuel-cell buses. The FTA TA Center Transit Workforce Center (TWC) participated in this report.

Penetration testing is the authorized simulation of cyberattacks to identify vulnerabilities in an organization’s systems, networks or applications. Why Penetration Testing Matters for Passenger Transit in Mass Transit Magazine provides case studies of successful penetration testing and implementation guidance.

The Transportation Toolkit for Community College Leaders by Trellis Strategies outlines research findings, ending with a short Self-Assessment Guide to identify a top priority for transportation access at educational institutions. The taskforce resources provide structure for a campus working group to evaluate existing resources and develop targeted improvements. There is a section on first and last mile connections to public transit. Case studies include Rural Hills Community College.

The Identity Theft Resource Center (ITRC) published its annual Data Breach Report, an analysis of the trends revealed in legally mandated and voluntary notice of breaches and other compromises. The report lists data breaches, exposures, leaks, and victim notices, and includes the transportation industry.

Databases and Tools

American Public Transportation Association's (APTA) Industry Footprint contains data on national public transportation as well as key facts and statistics at the state level by congressional district. Facts and visualizations include bus supplier tiers, transit ridership, miles traveled, and more.

The Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) updated its National Transportation Statistics (NTS). New data was published on roadway vehicle-miles traveled, hazardous materials fatalities, injuries, accidents, and property damage, and other topics. BTS also updated its National Transportation Atlas Database (NTAD). New data includes National Transit Map routes, stops, and agencies, along with other data.

Opportunities

Texas A&M Transportation Institute researchers are conducting a TCRP study on Building Safe, Accessible Bus Stops in Rural, Exurban, Suburban, and Tribal Communities. The study goal is to better understand how tribal and rural transit agencies plan, prioritize, and implement safe and accessible bus stops in communities across the country. If you are interested, please respond to the project survey by March 13, 2026. Contact Ms. Ipek Sener, PhD, with questions.

The Rural Business-Cooperative Service, Rural Housing Service, and Rural Utilities Service published a Notice of Funding Opportunities for the Strategic Economic and Community Development Program for FY 2026. This program supports projects that promote and partially or completely implement strategic community investment plans. These plans use the unique strengths of rural communities to advance prosperity. For more information, including deadlines, please contact your Rural Development State Office.

The AmeriCorps Senior Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) provides funding to develop and support Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) projects for volunteers 55 years and older in serving specific local and community needs. The application deadline is March 26, 2026.

The Geospatial Professional Network launched a survey to gather information on current GIS program and project management approaches from a wide range of organization types, to gain insights and assess trends in GIS management practices. The survey is due February 16, 2026.

Transportation Research Today is a new open-access journal that will be published soon by Science Direct. Articles for consideration to the inaugural issues can be submitted at no cost through September 29, 2027.

AmeriCorps State and National Grants provide funding for programs that are designed to strengthen communities and solve local problems, including those found in rural and underserved areas. Funding priorities include serving historically underrepresented communities and services for veterans. The application deadline is March 31, 2026.

Legislation

H.R.7148, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2026, was passed into law on February 3, 2026, ending a partial government shutdown. The funding is in place through September 30, 2026. It includes funding for a Rural Transportation Accessibility Incentive Program held in conjunction with the FIFA World Cup 2026.

FMCSA seeks public comment through March 2, 2026 on a new information request on Non-Domiciled Commercial Driver’s License Records. This collection is intended to ensure that states retain all documents involved in the licensing process for Commercial Learner's Permit (CLP) and Commercial Driver's License (CDL) holders domiciled in foreign jurisdictions for a period of no less than two years from the date of issuing the non-domiciled CLPs and CDLs.

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and the Treasury Department proposed rules for determining clean fuel production credits, including credit eligibility, emissions rates, and certification and registration requirements. The proposed rule would amend three sets of final regulations: the elective payment election regulations, the credit transfer election regulations, and the federal excise tax registration regulations. Comments are due April 6, 2026.

NHTSA:

invites public input through February 23, 2026 on the U.S. government’s position regarding the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe draft Global Technical Regulation for Automated Driving Systems.
invies public comments through April 13, 2026 about a new information collection on Distraction: Modern Voice Command Interfaces. This data would be collected as part of an effort to understand the effects of currently or near-to-deployed voice command interfaces in vehicles.
invites public comments through April 13, 2026 for a new information collection on Drive-Mode Design Best Practices. The information will examine how different drive mode implementations affect driver attention and performance compared to standard interfaces.

Upcoming Events

All event times listed in Eastern Time. Subtract 1 hour for Central Time, 2 for Mountain Time, 3 for Pacific Time, 4 for Alaska, and 5 or 6 for Hawaii (depending on daylight savings time).

Waskawiwin

Tribal Broadband Bootcamp

Aguanga, CA, February 9-12

United Motorcoach Association (UMA)

UMA Motorcoach Expo

Birmingham, AL, February 11-14

National RTAP

GTFS Builder Office Hours

February 12, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

National RTAP

Introducing the National RTAP Volunteer Driver Program Toolkit Webinar

February 12, 2:00-3:00 PM

New

Native Learning Center

Don’t Just Write the Grant: Find Your Red Thread and Tell a Story Webinar

February 12, 2:00-3:30 PM

National RTAP

Website Builder Office Hours

February 17, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

National RTAP

GTFS Builder Office Hours

February 19, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

National RTAP

Books in Transit Discussion Group Meeting - The New Life

February 19, 2:00-3:00 PM

American Public Transportation Association (APTA)

APTA Marketing, Communications & Customer Experience Workshop

Savannah, GA, February 22-25

National RTAP

Learn About TACL - The Transportation Technical Assistance Coordination Library Webinar

February 23, 2:00-3:00 PM

AASHTO

2026 AASHTO Washington Briefing

Washington, DC, February 23-26

New

Active Transportation Resource Center

Sustaining Active Transportation Program Non-Infrastructure Activities Beyond the Grant Webinar

February 24, 1:00 PM

National RTAP

Website Builder Office Hours

February 24, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

New

TRB

Improving Mobility in Rural and Tribal Communities Webinar

February 25, 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM

National RTAP

GTFS Builder Office Hours

February 26, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

New

TRB

Rethinking the Road Test to Identify High-Risk Drivers Webinar

February 27, 12:00-1:30 PM

National Transit Institute

Transit Noise and Vibration Impact Assessment

Austin, TX, March 2-4

National Transit Institute

Public Involvement in Transportation Decision-Making Online Course

March 2-5, 1:00-5:00 PM

FTA

FTA Drug and Alcohol Training Special Topics Seminars: MIS Overview

March 3, 1:00-2:30 PM

National RTAP

Website Builder Office Hours

March 3, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

National Transit Institute

Introduction to Transportation Conformity

Chicago, IL, March 3-5

New

National Transit Institute

Ridership Forecasting with STOPS for Transit Project Planning

Portland, OR, March 3-5

Crawford Area Transit Authority (CATA)

Transit Retreat

Mobile, AL, March 4-5

We're presenting!

New

CTAA, SWTA, IPTA, OkTA, and CalACT

CTAA Legislative Fly-In

Washington, DC, March 4-6

National RTAP

GTFS Builder Office Hours

March 5, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

National RTAP / Transportation Safety Institute (TSI)

Fundamentals of Bus Collision Investigation

Hollywood, FL, March 9-13

The course is full. Contact Neil Rodriguez to be added to the waitlist.

New

World Resources Institute

Transforming Transportation

Washington, DC, March 9-13

New

NHTSA

NHTSA Automated Vehicle Safety Public Meeting

Washington, DC, March 10, 9:00 AM - 4:30 PM

Registrations must be completed by March 5, 2026

National RTAP

Website Builder Office Hours

March 10, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

National RTAP

Tips to Become a National RTAP Resource Library Super-User

March 10, 2:00-3:00 PM

National Transit Institute

Violence in the Transit Workplace - Prevention, Response and Recovery (Train the Trainer) Online Course

March 11, 1:00-4:30

National RTAP

GTFS Builder Office Hours

March 12, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

National RTAP

Website Builder Office Hours

March 17, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

New

The Center for Tribal Transportation

Contracts Training Course

Fountain Hills, AZ, March 18-19

National RTAP

GTFS Builder Office Hours

March 19, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

National RTAP

Website Builder Office Hours

March 24, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

Alaska Tribal Transportation Work Group (ATTWG)

22nd Annual Alaska Tribal Transportation Symposium

Anchorage, AK, March 24-26

We're participating!

National RTAP

GTFS Builder Office Hours

March 26, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

National RTAP

Website Builder Office Hours

March 31, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

New

National RTAP

GTFS Builder Office Hours

April 2, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

New

Arizona Transit Association (AzTA) and Arizona DOT

Arizona’s 39th Annual Statewide Transit

Mesa, AZ, April 6-8

Please visit our booth!

New

National Transit Institute

Public Involvement in Transportation Decision-Making Online Course

April 6-9, 1:00-5:00 PM

New

National RTAP

Website Builder Office Hours

April 7, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

New

National Transit Institute

Crisis Communications for Transit Managers Online Course

April 7-8, 1:00-4:30 PM

New

National RTAP

GTFS Builder Office Hours

April 9, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

New

American Public Transportation Association (APTA)

APTA Legislative Conference

Washington, DC, April 12-14

New

National Association of Fleet Administrators (NAFA) Fleet Management Association

NAFA 2026 Institute & Expo

Cleveland, OH, April 13-15

New

National Transit Institute

Public Involvement in Transportation Decision-Making

Philadelphia, PA, April 13-15

New

California Association for Coordinated Transportation (CALACT)

CALACT Spring Conference

Temecula, CA, April 13-16

Please visit our booth!

New

National Transit Institute

Transportation Planning Process Online Course

April 13-16, 1:00-5:00 PM

New

National RTAP

Website Builder Office Hours

April 14, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

New

National Transit Institute

Ridership Forecasting with STOPS for Transit Project Planning

Boston, MA, April 14-16

New

National RTAP

GTFS Builder Office Hours

April 16, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

New

Pennsylvania Public Transportation Association (PPTA)

PPTA Annual Meeting & Expo

Lancaster, PA, April 20-23

Please visit our table!

New

National RTAP

Website Builder Office Hours

April 21, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

New

American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO)

2026 AASHTOWare Connect

Des Moines, IA, April 21-22, 2026

New

National RTAP

GTFS Builder Office Hours

April 23, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

New

North Carolina Public Transportation Association (NCPTA)

2026 NCPTA Conference, Expo, Roadeo and Golf Tournament

Cherokee, NC, April 26-29

New

Association of Mobility Managers (AMM)

AMM Conference/Rural Transit and Mobility Management Caucus

Oklahoma City, OK, April 27-29

We're participating!

New

National RTAP

Website Builder Office Hours

April 28, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

New

National Transit Institute

Assault Awareness and Prevention for Transit Operators (Train-the-Trainer) Online Course

April 28, 1:00-4:30 PM

New

National RTAP

GTFS Builder Office Hours

April 30, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

New

Texas Transportation Association

TTA Conference and Roadeo

Lubbock, TX, April 28-May 2

We're participating!

For a listing of all National RTAP and other national events, view our Calendar. To submit an event, email info@nationalrtap.org.

Calendar of Events

National RTAP | 888-589-6821 | info@nationalrtap.org | nationalrtap.org

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