eNews - January 15, 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

Upcoming National RTAP/AASHTO Transit Management Webinar on the Value of GTFS

Updated National RTAP Rural and Tribal Transit Compendium of Best Practices

Invitation to Join National RTAP Peer Forums

Federal Thresholds Updated in ProcurementPRO

Grants Available from Centers for Disease Control, Veterans Administration, and AARP

Updated National RTAP Rural and Tribal Transit Compendium of Best Practices

National RTAP updated its interactive map that contains best practices for State and U.S. Territorial RTAPs and Tribal Transit Systems. If the state has a green background, users can click on it to view best practices. 

Best practices were added for twelve states and one Tribal Transit System, including:

• North Carolina RTAP is partnering with Indiana RTAP to host an emergency evacuation exercise in both states
• New Hampshire RTAP is providing technical assistance on information technology and facility renovation projects
• Texas RTAP implemented a program to enable subrecipient access to pre-selected consultants
• And more!

If your RTAP or Tribal Transit System has a best practice to contribute, please contact info@nationalrtap.org or add it to our Padlet.

• Tribal Transit Peer Forum – Email nrodriguez@nationalrtap.org  to request to join
• Mobility Management Peer Forum – Email info@nationalrtap.org to request to join

FTA updated its Transit Vehicle Manufacturers List on December 10, 2025. This is a list of transit vehicle manufacturers that have submitted a disadvantaged business enterprise (DBE) goal methodology that FTA has not disapproved and are therefore eligible to bid or propose on FTA-assisted transit vehicle procurements.

FTA published a new Crosswalk of Census Designated Places (CDPs) and counties by state or territories on December 17, 2025. This resource may be helpful for the completion of the B-15 Geographic Area Coverage form. 

FTA published its First Quarter 2026 Transit Safety and Oversight Spotlight Newsletter. The issue discussed FTA's new Major Events Playbook and several case studies on transit agency efforts to address substance abuse.

The random testing percentage rate for safety-sensitive employees who fall under the jurisdiction of FTA will remain at 50% for prohibited drug use and 10% for alcohol misuse.

FTA published a Capital Investment Grant (CIG) Dashboard, which reports data and the status of key milestones for New Starts, Small Starts, and Core Capacity projects seeking CIG funding.

U.S. DOT published Benefit-Cost Analysis Guidance for Discretionary Grant Programs on December 23, 2025. This document is intended to provide applicants to U.S. DOT’s discretionary grant programs with guidance on completing a benefit-cost analysis (BCA) for submission as part of their application.

US. DOT published its Fiscal Year 2026 Top Management Challenges. Challenges include surface transportation safety and infrastructure, IT security, and transportation innovation.

U.S. DOT announced the launch of the USDOT Freedom 250 website as part of a celebration of the nation’s 250th anniversary. The website contains videos, photos, information, and apps about transportation in America for the past 250 years.

Easter Seals Project Action (ESPA) offers a certification program for Volunteer Transportation professionals, at all experience levels, with a Certified Volunteer Transportation Manager (CVTM) credential upon successful completion of the course.

Avatar offers free trials of its Bus & Motorcoach Safety eLearning training courses. Courses focus on defensive driving, including backing safely.

There are several upcoming webinars on combatting human trafficking: the Association of Mobility Managers is holding a Combating Human Trafficking: The Role of Public Transit and Mobility Management Webinar on January 21, 2026 at 11:30 AM ET and Truckers Against Trafficking is holding a Shut Out Human Trafficking: Major Sports Events and Human Trafficking Webinar on January 22, 2026 from 12:00-1:00 PM ET.

TCRP's Improving Transit Customer Perception of Personal Security documents the current state of the practice related to customer perceptions of safety and security on bus and rail transit. This synthesis highlights strategies to improve customers’ outlook, the effectiveness of those strategies, how the strategies are communicated to the public, and the associated change in customers’ perceptions.

An article in Chauffer Driven on a Fleet Manager's Guide to DOT Audits provides information on what FMCSA auditors expect and how they conduct audits (such as inspecting emergency exits, tires, and other equipment).

NHTSA's FMVSS Considerations for Vehicles With Automated Driving Systems describes identifying unnecessary/unintended regulatory barriers to self-certification and compliance verification of innovative vehicle designs with automated driving systems that lack manually operated driving controls (such as a steering wheel, brake pedal, etc.). It also describes work performed developing related compliance test procedures for ADS-equipped vehicles, focusing on braking and test methods.

The 2025 Aon Public Transit Liability Benchmark Report shows public transit liability claim severity and frequency data and trends, in addition to loss rate. The report includes data for bus and rail transit.

Research by the University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center on Access to Health Care by Rurality and Disability Status found that 15.8% of rural residents with disabilities delay medical care due to lack of transportation. The Center also published a report with two case studies on Transportation for Rural People with Disabilities: Example Programs from Minnesota and Idaho.

A new portal from the Idaho Transportation Department shows the status of abandoned and towed vehicles. The Abandoned Vehicle Portal is available through the Idaho Department of Motor Vehicles.

The Transit Integrated Data Exchange Specification (TIDES) is a free, open-source database that enables users to access, manage, and use transit operations data and create reports. Data includes vehicle location data, passenger count data, and fare transaction data.

The General Active Transportation Infrastructure Specification (GATIS) Explorer is provided by the Repository for the GATIS and the National Collaboration on Bicycle, Pedestrian, and Accessibility Infrastructure Data (NC-BPAID). The Explorer includes sample datasets, active transportation infrastructure data, feature types, and more.

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) is accepting grant applications for its Drug Free Communities Support Program through February 12, 2026. The purpose of the program is to establish and strengthen collaboration to support the efforts of community coalitions working to prevent youth substance use.

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced the availability of funds for grants under the Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) Program. Grantees are required to have available temporary financial assistance resources that can be paid directly to a third party on behalf of a participant. Supportive services grants are awarded to selected private non-profit organizations and consumer cooperatives. The funds may be used for transportation. Applications are due February 19, 2026.

TCRP is soliciting problem statements/research ideas for both the synthesis program and the main program. Submit topics for the synthesis program by March 27, 2026 and for the main program by June 22, 2026. 

The National Resource Center for Engaging Older Adults is launching a Call for Innovations through January 30, 2026 to identify model interventions, programs, and services addressing social isolation and loneliness. 

AARP is accepting applications for the 2026 AARP Community Challenge funding cycle through March 4, 2026. Awards include Flagship Grants, Capacity Building Microgrants, and Demonstration Grants.

The Non-Emergency Medical Transportation Accreditation Commission (NEMTAC) is requesting voluntary data submissions for its NEMTAC Data Repository. The Repository supports neutral, third-party analysis aimed at informing industry standards development and performance metrics across the non-emergency medical transportation (NEMT) sector. Data submissions must be made through NEMTAC’s intake form.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) established the Rural Health Transformation Program on December 22, 2025. This new federal program aims to improve healthcare access and outcomes in rural communities and partner with federal entities, states, healthcare facilities, and other key stakeholders to ensure sound guidance and program initiatives that improve rural residents' access to healthcare services.

A United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Memorandum implemented the first set of USDA General Terms and Conditions for all future awards. These terms and conditions are in addition to the assurance and certifications made as part of the award or agreement.

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) proposed regulations regarding the deduction for some taxpayers for qualified passenger vehicle loan interest. This document contains proposed regulations regarding new information reporting requirements for persons who, in a trade or business, receive from any individual interest aggregating $600 or more for any calendar year on a passenger vehicle loan. Comments must be received by February 2, 2026. IRS also published Cost-of-Living Adjusted Limitations for 2026 for retirement plans and IRAs.

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) proposes to modernize its telecommunications relay services (TRS) rules and seeks comment on phasing out the mandatory status of traditional TTY-based relay services under state TRS programs, recognizing additional forms of Internet-based TRS, such as Internet Protocol Speech-to-Speech and real-time text-based relay. Comments are due February 2, 2026.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA ) is amending the Code of Federal Regulations to remove the provisions finalized in a 2024 rule titled Review of Final Rule Reclassification of Major Sources as Area Sources Under Section 112 of the Clean Air Act and restoring the language of the 2020 Final Rule titled Reclassification of Major Sources as Area Sources Under Section 112 of the Clean Air Act.

On December 8, 2025, FMCSA removed three devices from its list of electronic logging devices (ELDs). These devices were placed on the Revoked Devices list due to the companies’ failure to meet the minimum requirements established in Title 49 CFR Appendix A to Subpart B of Part 395.

Effective January 8, 2026, the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) adopted the interim final rule on the Removal of National Environmental Policy Act Implementing Regulations published on February 25, 2025. CEQ stated that it was appropriate to remove CEQ's regulations from the Code of Federal Regulations. Rescission of CEQ's regulations does not alter an agency's duty to comply with the statute. CEQ will continue to work with federal agencies to assist them in developing or revising their procedures and to ensure consistent NEPA application across the federal government.

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) amended its regulations regarding procedures for calculating a value for the petroleum-equivalent fuel economy of electric vehicles used by the Environmental Protection Agency in calculating light-duty vehicle manufacturers' compliance with U.S. DOT's Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards.

The U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) will place two benzimidazole-opioids, commonly referred to as nitazenes, in its Class 1 Schedule, effective February 11, 2026. This class of substances shares a similar pharmacological profile with fentanyl and morphine.

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).

TRB

TRB Annual Meeting

Washington, DC, January 11-15

We're presenting!

National RTAP

GTFS Builder Office Hours

January 15, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

New

Shared-Use Mobility Center (SUMC) Global Network of Popular Transportation

Meet & Greet: Popular Transport User Needs & Motivations

January 20, 11:00 AM

New

Rural Organizing

Sharing Your Story on Social Media Webinar

January 20, 12:00 PM

National RTAP

Website Builder Office Hours

January 20, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

National Operations Center of Excellence (NOCoE)

2026 Transportation Technology Tournament - Guide for Prospective Participants Webinar

January 20, 1:00-2:00 PM

FTA

FTA Drug and Alcohol Training Special Topics Seminars: MIS Overview

January 21, 10:00-11:30 AM

New

Association of Mobility Managers

Combating Human Trafficking: The Role of Public Transit and Mobility Management Webinar

January 21, 11:30 AM 

New

USDA Economic Research Service 

Rural America at a Glance: 2025 Edition Webinar

January 21, 1:00 PM

New

Truckers Against Trafficking

Shut Out Human Trafficking: Major Sports Events and Human Trafficking Webinar

January 22, 12:00-1:00 PM

National RTAP

GTFS Builder Office Hours

January 22, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

New

Rural Health Information Hub

Federal Rural Definitions Webinar

January 22, 1:00-2:00 PM

U.S. Census Bureau

2020-2024 American Community Survey 5-year Prerelease Webinar

January 22, 1:00-2:00 PM

Native Learning Center

8th Annual Renewable Energy & Sustainability Conference

Hollywood, FL, January 26-28

National RTAP

Website Builder Office Hours

January 27, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

New

AARP

2026 AARP Community Challenge: Celebration and Grant Q&A Webinar

January 27, 2:00 PM

Intertribal Transportation Association (ITA)

ITA Annual Meeting

Oklahoma City, OK, (formerly October 27-29)

Now January 27-29

We're participating!

U.S. Access Board

U.S. Access Board Meeting and Webcast 

January 28, 1:30-3:00 PM

National RTAP

State RTAP Manager Peer Roundtable

January 28, 2:00-3:00 PM

National RTAP

GTFS Builder Office Hours

January 29, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

Clarion Events

DTECH 2025

San Diego, CA, February 2-5

National Transit Institute 

Public Involvement in Transportation Decision-Making Online Course

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

National RTAP

Website Builder Office Hours

February 3, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

New

National RTAP and AASHTO Transit Management

Building Your Technology Universe: Understanding the Value of GTFS and Building a Technology Culture Webinar

February 3, 3:00-4:15 PM

Association of Assistive Technology Act Programs (ATAP)

The Americans with Disabilities Act, Web Accessibility, and You: Updates to Title II and What They Mean for Covered Entities Webinar

February 4, 3:00 PM

National RTAP

GTFS Builder Office Hours

February 5, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

New

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services 

Virtual Tribal Consultation on Proposed Modifications to the HIPAA Privacy Rule

February 6, 2:00-2:30 PM

Waskawiwin

Tribal Broadband Bootcamp

Aguanga, CA, February 9-12

National RTAP

Website Builder Office Hours

February 10, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

FORTH

Preparing for Surface Transportation Reauthorization: What’s Next for EVs & Charging Infrastructure Webinar

February 10, 4:00-5:00 PM

Transportation Energy Partners

2026 Energy Independence Summit

Washington, DC, February 10-11

National Operations Center of Excellence (NOCoE)

AI Uses for TSMO Webinar

February 11, 1:00-2:30 PM

National Transit Institute 

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

February 11, 1:00-4:30 PM

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

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

New

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

National RTAP

Website Builder Office Hours

February 24, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

National RTAP

GTFS Builder Office Hours

February 26, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

New

National Transit Institute

Transit Noise and Vibration Impact Assessment

Austin, TX, March 2-4

New

National Transit Institute

Public Involvement in Transportation Decision-Making Online Course

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

New

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

New

National Transit Institute

Introduction to Transportation Conformity

Chicago, IL, March 3-5

Crawford Area Transit Authority (CATA)

Transit Retreat

Mobile, AL, March 4-5

We're presenting!

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.  

National RTAP

Website Builder Office Hours

March 10, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

New

National RTAP

Tips to Become a National RTAP Resource Library Super-User

March 10, 2:00-3:00 PM

New

National Transit Institute

Crisis Communications for Transit Managers Online Course

March 10-11, 1:30-4:30 PM

New

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

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

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

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