National RTAP eNews - January 10, 2019

eNews - January 10, 2019

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.

Join Us for a Transit Marketing Matters Twitter Chat

National RTAP is hosting a #TransitMarketingMatters Twitter Chat on January 30 from 2:00-3:00 PM. The chat will moderated by National RTAP Review Board Member and Heart of Iowa Regional Transit Authority (HIRTA) Executive Director Julia Castillo.

Public Transit riders are not alike, so different means must be used for marketing. Whether it is Facebook, Twitter or a paper flyer, all marketing should appeal to the key value components of Public Transit. This Twitter Chat will explore ideas on using the right marketing platform for your agency to help increase brand awareness, tell your transit story and improve customer service and community support. If you would like an email reminder for the chat, please RSVP to [email protected].

Applying Good Business Practices: Hiring, Training and Evaluating Employees

We've updated the National RTAP Technical Brief, Applying Good Business Practices: Hiring, Training and Evaluating Employees in December 2018. The brief focuses on recruiting, hiring and retaining transit employees. It also identifies strategies for motivating and empowering employees, training employees, and conducting performance evaluations. Updates include using social media for job recruitment and new data on preferred employee benefits.

Featured Resource

Resources and Events

National RTAP Transit Acronym Dictionary Updated

We've updated our Transit Acronym Dictionary in December 2018. The resource now has over 400 acronyms used for rural and tribal transit such as ITA (Intertribal Transportation Association) and HRTG (Highly Rural Transportation Grants).

U.S. DOT and FTA Updates

US DOT announced up to $60 million in grant funding for projects that test the safe integration of automated driving systems. Goals for the grants include safety, data and collaboration. Applications are due on March 21, 2019 and must be submitted through www.grants.gov.

US DOT seeks public comment on the use and integration of vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communications technologies to improve motor vehicle safety and support connected and automated vehicle (CAV) needs. The comment period closes on January 25, 2019.

Publications

TCRP's Legal Considerations in Relationships Between Transit Agencies and Ridesourcing Service Providers provides legal guidance for considering whether to enter into relationships with ridesourcing service providers. The report includes state and municipal legislative and regulatory schemes, procurement processes and compliance with federal disabilities legislation and civil rights requirements.

U.S. PIRG's report on Paying for Electric Buses provides case studies of how agencies have funded electric buses, equations to calculate purchase, financing, and operational costs for diesel and electric transit buses, and information on funding resources, such as grant and municipal bonds and grant and incentive programs.

The Coalition for Smarter Transportation published a Transit Tech Toolkit designed to provide information to transit agencies and municipal officials looking to incorporate multi-modal fare media collection and trip planning. The toolkit contains policy reports, active RFPs, RFP samples, webinars and a vendor directory.

Webinars and Training

On January 16, 2019 from 3:00-4:00 PM ET, the Association of Pedestrian and Bicycle Professionals will host a Bus Stops with Bikeways: Designing Transit Stops with On-Street Bicycle Facilities webinar will explore the best practices for designing streets for bicycling and transit.

Opportunities

Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA) is seeking applicants for funding to address opioid and other substance use. The Rural Communities Opioid Response Program provides support for efforts to strengthen organizational and infrastructural capacity in rural areas. The deadline is January 15, 2019.

Partners for Places is a matching grant program that creates opportunities to improve communities by building partnerships between local government sustainability offices and place-based foundations. National funders invest in local projects to promote a healthy environment, a strong economy, and well-being of all residents. Apply by January 31, 2019.

Nominations for the FHWA/FTA 2019 Transportation Planning Excellence Awards is open. State, MPO and transit operators that have used Federal FHWA/FTA funding to develop a plan, project, or process may apply. Nominations will be accepted through February 1, 2019.

The EPA is soliciting applications for its Environmental Justice Small Grants Program. Entities will use grants to engage, educate, and empower communities to identify, understand and mitigate local environmental issues. Applications are due by February 15, 2019.

Legislation

FMCSA amended regulations on the Commercial Learner’s Permit Validity final rule (49 CFR Part 383) on December 21, 2018 to allow States the option of issuing a commercial learner’s permit with an expiration date of up to one year from the date of initial issuance. After one year, the CLP holder to retake the general and endorsement knowledge tests. This final rule is effective February 19, 2019.

State RTAP Manager's Peer Roundtable

Join National RTAP staff and your fellow State RTAP Managers for a Peer Roundtable on January 22 at 2:00 PM ET. This will be an informal discussion of issues affecting State RTAP Managers and an open information exchange. Join the Roundtable via GoToMeeting (no registration required). Some of the topics we'll be discussing are RTAP advisory boards, training for tribes, and funding policies. Please save the date and bring your questions!

Call for Presentations for 2019 National RTAP Conference

The call for presentations is open for our 2019 Technical Assistance Conference in Portland, Oregon, September 15-18. We're looking for presentations, workshops, and trainings on rural and tribal transit topics with a focus on innovation, best practices, and compliance. Submit the Presentation Proposal Form by February 28, 2019.

Calendar of Upcoming Events

United Motorcoach Association

2019 Motorcoach Expo

Fort Lauderdale, FL, January 6-10

Conference

National Transit Institute

TAM Implementation for Tier II Providers and Sponsors

Moline, IL, January 10