eNews - June 18, 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

Get Ready for Rural Transit Day!

New National RTAP Best Practices Spotlight Article on DRT Data Standards

Upcoming State RTAP Manager Peer Roundtable

U.S. DOT Updates to Title VI Regulations

New National RTAP Best Practices Spotlight Article on DRT Data Standards

National RTAP's new Best Practices Spotlight Article on Seamless Rides: A Practitioner’s Guide to DRT Data Standards and What They Mean for Your Agency discusses why a common data standards language matters and why one standard cannot do it all. It provides an overview of different demand-response transportation (DRT) data standards rulebooks and guidance on what transit agencies should do right now.

The article includes case examples from RideNoCo, NEORide, Hopelink, and others.

Thank you to Santosh Mishra, Flexlynqs; Jana Lynott, Consultant; and Kari Banta, Texas Department of Transportation, for contributions to and review of this article.

Upcoming State RTAP Manager Peer Roundtable

Effective June 11, 2026, U.S. DOT amended its regulations implementing Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to eliminate disparate-impact liability. Updates include rescinding the full text of 49 CFR 21.5(b)(2), which prohibits the use of criteria or methods of administration which have the effect of subjecting persons to discrimination because of their race, color, or national origin, rescinding the full text of 49 CFR 21.5(b)(7), which authorizes affirmative action even in the absence of a finding of prior discrimination in a program or activity, and other amendments. 

FTA's Matthew DeDonato, Program Analyst for the Office of Transit Safety Oversight, provided an update on personal and workplace safety and security, data trends, lessons learned, and building a safety culture at the Northeast Passenger Transportation Association (NEPTA) Conference on June 10, 2026. The presentation slides have been published.

The Transit Workforce Center (TWC) provides a Transit Core Competencies Curriculum (TC3) Program, a set of freely available course materials developed by transit organization subject matter experts from across the country, designed to support the growth and development of the frontline transit workforce. The program includes training materials on electrical and mechanical foundations, shop math, and other topics.

Course Avenue's Gov.Education portal provides many free U.S. DOT eLearning Benchmark courses, such as DOT Administrative Rulemaking, Guidance, and Enforcement Procedures Update, Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards: Updates on Seating Systems, and others.

The Brookings Institution is holding an in-person panel discussion and webinar on Driving Down the Cost of Buses: Helping Transit Agencies Get More for Their Money on June 25, 2026 from 10:00-11:15 AM ET. This session explores policy reforms that can reduce the costs of bus customization and deliver a more competitive transit industry.

NCHRP's Improving Virtual Public Involvement in Transportation Agencies presents principles and tips for virtual public involvement (VPI) use by public involvement practitioners, project managers, and other professionals. The report is designed to help practitioners select, create, use, and evaluate VPI tools and techniques for transportation plans and projects. It covers federal policy, guidance on planning for VPI, effective information for use in VPI, user experience design, addressing the digital divide, and preparing for and conducting effective VPI meetings. The report also includes a virtual toolbox with examples, best-practice recommendations, and practical tips for maximizing the benefits of each tool.

United Health Foundation's 2026 Senior Report presents 56 measures of health and well-being to provide a picture of older adult health across the country, with comparisons by metro and nonmetro areas. The report features insights on factors that shape the health of older adults in rural areas and includes a state-level map.

The Center on Rural Innovation's (CORI) report on Exploring Definitions of "Rural" provides an overview of common definitions of rurality used by federal agencies, including the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), National Center for Health Statistics, and CORI. The report includes color-coded maps demonstrating how each definition is applied.

The Urban Institute provides a data tool on Federal Spending on Major Recurring Place-Based Programs Over Time. Users can select funding programs and view direct spending and tax expenditures.

The Brookings Institution provides an animated map of vehicle miles traveled (VMT) mitigation laws by state. The map displays highlighted states from the year 2010-2026 showing states that have laws or administrative rules requiring VMT mitigation.

The Active Transportation Photo and Video Library is a shared online repository that showcases bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure, micromobility use, people of all ages and abilities walking and biking in their communities, and other visual representations of active transportation concepts. 

Non-Emergency Medical Transportation (NEMT) providers are invited to participate in a survey from the University of Texas at Austin to help improve NEMT systems across the U.S. Feedback will help researchers better understand how recent service and policy changes are impacting transportation providers, coordination efforts, and access to care. The survey explores how recent changes to NEMT systems—such as shifts to managed care or brokered service models—have impacted transportation providers and coordination efforts.

The Transit Cooperative Research Program’s TCRP Project A-55: Travel Behavior and Financial Impacts of Fare Capping is conducting a national survey on behalf of TRB to understand how fare capping programs have been designed across North America, what outcomes have been observed, and what challenges agencies have encountered. Agencies at all stages (implemented, in progress, considering, paused or terminated, or decided against) are encouraged to participate. Please support this important research by completing the survey by July 10, 2026.

The FHWA Nationally Significant Federal Lands and Tribal Projects (NSFLTP) Program provides grants to Tribes and Federal Land Management Agencies for projects that provide substantial benefits to their communities or parklands. The NSFLTP program provides funding for the construction, reconstruction, and rehabilitation of nationally significant projects within, adjacent to, or accessing Federal and Tribal lands. Applications are being accepted through July 16, 2026.

The Center for Tribal Transportation created a new webpage with Grant Funding Opportunities for Tribal Communities. The Center for Tribal Transportation and partner Lenea Corporation can assist Tribes with their grant-funded build projects. Grants currently posted include the Tribal Energy Development Capacity (TEDC) Grant, Nationally Significant Federal Lands and Tribal Projects Competitive Grant Program, Unleashing Tribal Energy Development, and others.

The deadlines for the following two grants: Rural Communities Opioid Response Planning Program (RCORP – Planning) and Rural Communities Opioid Response Program – Impact (RCORP – Impact) have been extended to July 8, 2026.

NHTSA invites public comments through August 10, 2026 for a new information collection on Assessment of Contextual Driver Monitoring Systems (DMS). This would be a one-time experimental research study that involves voluntary participation from members of the public. The purpose of this research is to develop and evaluate a prototype contextual DMS, which fuses data gathered from driver attention, physiological state, vehicle kinematics, and environmental sensors. 

Applications are being accepted for the Best Workplaces for Commuters 2027 awards. Employers, universities, colleges, commercial sites, and residential communities are invited to apply. 

The TRB 2026 Roy W. Crum Distinguished Transportation Research Achievement Award recognizes outstanding achievement in the performance of transportation-related research. The recipient should be an individual who has distinguished themselves through significant advances in transportation resulting from their personal body of research over the course of their career. Nominations are due July 31, 2026.

The Rural Business-Cooperative Service, a Rural Development agency of the United States Department of Agriculture announced acceptance of loan applications under the Intermediary Relending Program. Quarterly applications will be accepted by June 30, 2026 or September 30, 2026.

The Advisory Council on Historic Preservation is rescinding its regulations implementing the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) from the Code of Federal Regulations. This interim final rule was effective on June 5, 2026. Comments must be received by July 6, 2026. 

NHTSA is seeking comments on a new information request on Drive-Mode Design Best Practices through July 8, 2026. A voluntary questionnaire would be distributed on how simplified user interfaces for mobile phone applications to make operating the phone safer when driving affect driver attention and performance compared to standard interfaces. 

On June 9, 2026, the Department of Justice issued an Opinion to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) that its guidelines about disparate-impact liability under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act are unconstitutional.

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).

National RTAP

GTFS Builder Office Hours

June 18, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

National Association of Community Health Centers 

Exploring the Power of Collaboration: Pathways to Transformative Rural Health Partnerships Virtual Live Audience and Livestream Event

June 22, 2:00 PM

National RTAP

Website Builder Office Hours

June 23, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

New

National Center for Rural Road Safety

Rural Modes: Rural Road Safety Awareness Week (RRSAW) Sneak Peak and Setting the Stage

June 23, 1:00 PM

New

Accessible Transportation Research Center (ATRC) 

What is Cognitively Accessible Transportation Webinar

June 23, 1:00 PM

New

CALACT

Practical AI for Transit: Applications for Public Agencies Webinar

June 23, 2:00 PM

National Transit Institute

Risk Assessment for Transit Capital Projects

Austin, TX, June 23-24

National Transit Institute

Advanced Paratransit Management and Operations

Boston, MA, June 23-24

U.S. DOT

Beautifying Transportation Infrastructure Council Public Meeting

June 24

New

National Academy of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine

Study on Data, Metrics, and Analytic Tools for Transportation Investments that Support Family Quality of Life and Communities Meeting

June 24, 11:00 AM - 4:30 PM

National Association of Development Organizations (NADO)

Stronger Together, Cooperative Models Webinar

June 24, 2:30 PM

Rural Communities Opioid Response Program (RCORP)

In-Focus- From Mapping to Mobilizing: Lessons on Leveraging Local Assets to Create Sustainable Solutions Office Hours

June 24, 3:00-4:00 PM

Forth, AASHTO, and Atlas Public Policy

Powering Communities Workshop: Collaborative Strategies for Effective EV Charging 

Costa Mesa, CA, June 25

New

Brookings Institution

Driving Down the Cost of Buses: Helping Transit Agencies Get More for Their Money

Washington DC and Online, June 25, 10:00-11:15 AM

New

SWTA + ELERTS

Reducing Transit Worker Assaults: Proven Strategies from Transit Agencies Across America Webinar

June 25, 12:00 PM

National RTAP

GTFS Builder Office Hours

June 25, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

National Operations Center of Excellence (NOCoE)

TMS Emerging Topics Series: Cybersecurity

June 25, 1:00-2:30 PM

National RTAP

Intercity Bus Industry and State Updates: Where Things Are Now

June 26, 2:00-3:30 PM

National RTAP

National RTAP Tribal & Rural Transit Mini-Conference

Window Rock, AZ, June 29 - July 1

National RTAP

Website Builder Office Hours

June 30, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

National Transit Institute

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

June 30, 1:00-4:30 PM

National Transit Institute

Public Involvement in Transportation Decision-Making

Miami, FL, June 30 - July 2

National RTAP

GTFS Builder Office Hours

July 2, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

National RTAP

Website Builder Office Hours

July 7, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

National Transit Institute

Public Involvement in Transportation Decision-Making

Lakewood, WA, July 7-9

United South and Eastern Tribes, Inc. (USET) 

USET STRONG: Strengthening Tribal Resilience, Operations & Nation Growth

Miami, FL, July 8-9

New

Center for Urban Transportation Research, University of South Florida

First Mile / Last Mile Safety - Workforce Development Course

July 9, 1:00 PM

National RTAP

GTFS Builder Office Hours

July 9, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

National Transit Institute

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

July 9, 1:00-4:30 PM

New

National Transit Institute

Business Writing for Transit Managers and Supervisors Online Course

July 9, 1:00-5:00 PM

TRB

65th Annual Workshop on Transportation Law

Irvine, CA, July 12-15

National RTAP

Website Builder Office Hours

July 14, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

National Transit Institute

FTA Uniform Act Basics for Transit Agency Personnel Online Course

July 14, 1:00-5:00 PM

New

Association of Assistive Technology Act Programs (ATAP) 

What's New in Google Accessibility Webinar

July 14, 3:00 PM

National RTAP

GTFS Builder Office Hours

July 16, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

National RTAP

Rural Transit Day Prequel

July 16, 1:00-2:00 PM

National RTAP

Rural Transit Day Zoom Chat

July 16, 2:00-3:00 PM

USAging 

USAging Conference and Tradeshow

San Diego, CA, July 18-21

We're providing resources

ITE International

ITE Annual Meeting and Exhibition

Detroit, MI, July 19-22

National Transit Institute

Quality Assurance and Quality Control in Transit

Oakland, CA, July 20-21

National Transit Institute

Public Involvement in Transportation Decision-Making Online Course

July 20-21, 1:00-5:00 PM

New

Center for Transportation and the Environment

One-on-One Transit

Ann Arbor, MI, July 20-22

National Association of Development Organizations (NADO)

2026 National Regional Transportation Conference

Atlanta, GA, July 20-22

Please visit our table!

National Transit Institute

Transportation Planning Process Online Course

July 20-23, 1:00-5:00 PM

National RTAP

Website Builder Office Hours

July 21, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

Mineta Transportation Institute

Trailblazer Tuesday with Nadine S. Lee: President & CEO, President & CEO, Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART)

July 21, 3:00-3:30 PM

National RTAP

GTFS Builder Office Hours

July 23, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

Rural Assembly

Rural Assembly Everywhere Virtual Broadcast

July 23, 1:00 PM

New

Southeastern Coastal Center for Agricultural Health and Safety

Preparing Farmworker Communities for Hurricane Season Webinar

July 23, 1:00 PM

New

National Transit Institute

Business Writing for Transit Managers and Supervisors Online Course

July 23, 1:00-5:00 PM

New

Conference of Minority Public Transportation Officials (COMPTO)

COMPTO 55th National Meeting & Training Conference

Washington, DC, July 25-28

National Transit Institute

Procurement III: RFPs and Competitive Contract Negotiations

Greenville, SC, July 27-30

National RTAP

Website Builder Office Hours

July 28, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

Association of Travel Instructors (ATI)

ATI Annual Conference

Kansas City, MO, July 28-30

We're participating!

National Transit Institute

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

July 29, 1:00-4:30 PM

New

U.S. Access Board 

U.S. Access Board Meeting

Washington, DC and Online, July 29, 1:30-3:00 PM

National RTAP

Tap into RTAP RFP Preproposal Call

July 29, 2:00-3:00 PM

Center for Tribal Transportation

Tribal Grant Writing

Fountain Hills, AZ, July 29-30

National RTAP

GTFS Builder Office Hours

July 30, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

National Transit Institute

Enhancing Your Transit Asset Management Program with Lifecycle Management Online Course

August 3-5, 1:00-4:30 PM

National Transit Institute

State and Metropolitan Transportation Programming Online Course

August 3-6, 1:00-5:00 PM

National RTAP

Website Builder Office Hours

August 4, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

Community Transportation Association of America (CTAA)

CTAA Small Urban Network (SUN) Conference  

Monterey, CA, August 4-6

Center for Tribal Transportation

Procurement Best Practices

Fountain Hills, AZ, August 5-6

New Date

National RTAP

GTFS Builder Office Hours

August 6, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

National RTAP 

Books in Transit Discussion Group Meeting - The Bus People

August 6, 2026 from 2:00-3:00 PM

National Transit Institute

Quality Assurance and Quality Control in Transit

Tampa, FL, August 10-11, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM

National Transit Institute

Introduction to Paratransit Management and Operations Online Course

August 10-13, 1:00-5:00 PM

National RTAP

Website Builder Office Hours

August 11, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

National Transit Institute

FTA Uniform Act Basics for Transit Agency Personnel Online Course

August 11, 1:00-5:00 PM

National RTAP

GTFS Builder Office Hours

August 13, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

Michigan Public Transportation Association (MPTA)

2026 Michigan Public Transportation Conference

Thompsonville, MI, August 17-19

Please visit our booth!

National Transit Institute

Management of Transit Construction Projects

Everett, WA, August 17-19

National Transit Institute

Public Involvement in Transportation Decision-Making

Denver, CO, August 17-19

National Transit Institute

Transportation Planning Process Online Course

August 17-20, 1:00-5:00 PM

National RTAP

Website Builder Office Hours

August 18, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

Western Tribal Technical Assistance Program (WTTAP) and National RTAP

Tribal Transit Workshop

Los Angeles, CA, August 18-19

Center for Tribal Transportation

Plan Reading/Estimating

Fountain Hills, AZ, August 19-20

National RTAP

GTFS Builder Office Hours

August 20, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

National Transit Institute

Introduction to Transit Asset Management Online Course

August 24-26, 1:00-4:30 PM

National RTAP

Website Builder Office Hours

August 25, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

National Transit Institute

Risk Assessment for Transit Capital Projects

Cincinnati, OH, August 25-26

National RTAP

GTFS Builder Office Hours

August 27, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

National Transit Institute

Procurement II - Risk Assessment and Basic Cost or Price Analysis

Alexandria, VA, August 31 - September 3, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM

National Transit Institute

Public Involvement in Transportation Decision-Making Online Course

August 31 - September 3, 1:00-5:00 PM

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