National RTAP eNews - November 1, 2018

eNews - November 1, 2018

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.

Upcoming National RTAP Transit Manager Peer Roundtable

Image of people talking with bubble that says "Join the Conversation!"

Join us and your fellow transit managers for the first of our new Peer Roundtables on Tuesday, November 6 at 2:00 PM ET. This will be an informal discussion of issues affecting rural and tribal transit managers and an open peer information exchange. Possible topics are listed below, through we encourage you to bring questions of your own. National RTAP staff will facilitate, but there will be no presentation and it will not be recorded. Join via GoToMeeting (registration not required) using your phone or computer. Email [email protected] with any issues or questions.

Potential Topics:

How is the opioid crisis affecting your agency?
What has your experience been with operating, or declining, charter service?
Do you have temporary/relief drivers and if so, do you have policies regarding benefits, hours per year, number of positions, performance reviews, etc.? Do you have an arrangement with other agencies in your area to "share" those drivers?
What has been your experience going after grants (FTA discretionary grants, foundation grants, etc.) and what resources have you found helpful?
Do you operate, or are you considering implementing, a deviated fixed route?

Seasonal Flu: Information and Resources

We've updated on our National RTAP Seasonal Flu: Information and Resources Technical Brief, which helps your transit agency and passengers minimize the effects of this year’s flu season through knowledge and planning. The updated version contains new information on flu transmission, prevention, vaccination, and treatment, with examples of how transit agencies have helped prevent the spread of the flu.

Featured Resource

Resources and Events

Upcoming National RTAP Webinar: Transit Employee Health and Wellness Programs

Thi s webinar, to be held Thursday, November 29 at 2:00 PM ET, will discuss common health issues among drivers and other transit staff, the impact those issues can have on agencies, and the benefits of wellness programs. Presenters include Erwin Reitsma of Wyoming Independent Living and Jill Stedem of OATS Transit in Missouri. Register to learn how you can implement a wellness program that will benefit your agency, your employees, and your passengers.

Upcoming National RTAP Webinar: FTA Rural and Tribal NTD Overview and Updates

Maggie Shilling, FTA NTD Program Manager, will lead a webinar on December 5, 2:00 PM ET that will cover basic requirements for rural and tribal NTD reporters, how the data are used in the formula, and an overview of updates to the asset inventory requirements. The webinar will also address your questions on the Rural and Tribal NTD. Register for the webinar and send any questions you would like answered during the webinar to [email protected].

National RTAP RFQ for Cost Allocation Calculator

National RTAP is requesting quotes from interested and qualified firms or individuals to create a two-variable cost allocation software application using MS Access and MS Excel. The tool would enable rural and tribal transit agencies to easily estimate and document the cost of their transit service through a two-variable cost allocation process. Download the RFQ. The deadline is next Friday, November 9 at 12:00 PM ET.

U.S. DOT and FTA Updates

On October 17, 2018, FTA issued a Dear Colleague letter to announce that the random drug testing rate for the public transportation industry will increase from 25% to 50%, effective January 1, 2019. The alcohol testing rate for 2019 will remain at 10%.

FTA published a notice on October 17, 2018 in the Federal Register with responses to comments received on proposed changes and clarifications to the National Transit Database (NTD). Comments included the definition of capital responsibility and distinguishing between commuter and intercity services.

The October edition of FTA's Transit Safety and Oversight Spotlight newsletter is available. The issue lists many of their upcoming trainings and 24/7 on-demand trainings, such as Bus Nomenclature and an Instructor’s Course for Transit Trainers.

FTA has re-established the Transit Advisory Committee for Safety (TRACS) through a new charter. TRACS provides research and analysis to develop recommendations on key safety topics. FTA has named 15 members to serve on TRACS for the next two years.

Publications

California Rural Indian Health Board's Toolkit on Cross-Jurisdictional Sharing Between Tribes and Counties for Emergency Management aids Tribes and counties in cross-jurisdictional sharing for emergency management, including preparedness, mitigation, response, and recovery).

TCRP's ADA Paratransit Service Models provides information about current ADA compliant paratransit service models and reasons why specific transit agencies have opted to keep or change their service model.

Electric Buses: Clean Transportation for Healthier Neighborhoods and Cleaner Air by the Frontier Group and USPIRG highlights pioneering use of electric buses, and demonstrates why the transition to electric buses protects public health and reduces emissions of the pollutants.

Legislation

FMCSA revised its regulation to permit individuals with a stable insulin regimen and properly controlled insulin-treated diabetes mellitus to be qualified to operate commercial motor vehicles in interstate commerce without obtaining an exemption. This rule enables a certified medical examiner to grant an individual a Medical Examiner’s Certificate for up to 12 months. This rule is effective November 19, 2018, except for amendatory instruction 5.b. effective November 19, 2019.

Opportunities

The Tribal Technical Assistance Program (TTAP) is developing a 2019 training schedule. FHWA requests assistance in identifying potential regional training locations. Please forward suggested locations and/or venues with potential availability dates to [email protected] by November 5, 2018.

NHTSA issued an advanced notice of proposed rulemaking on October 10, 2018 in the Federal Register to help design a national pilot program that will facilitate, monitor, assure safety of, and learn from the testing and development automated driving systems (ADS). Comments are due November 26, 2018 and should reference Docket Number NHTSA-2018-0092.

Senior/director-level transit and paratransit bus operators who qualify will receive a full scholarship to attend Metro's Transit Bus eXchange (TBX) in Scottsdale, AZ, January 30-February 1, 2019, which includes travel and education. TBX's goal is to connect public transportation service providers with product and service suppliers for an exchange of information, ideas and solutions.

Webinars and Training

Gather best practices on how to manage a transit volunteer program with this NADTC webinar

on November 13, 2:00-3:30 PM - Keys to a Successful Volunteer Transportation Program: Risk, Liability and Insurance. Attendees will learn how to identify risk management strategies when starting or growing a volunteer program.

Technology Tools

FHWA has developed a Transportation Performance Measurement (TPM) Tool that enables agencies to anonymously check their readiness for TPM. The tool offers a quick or standard assessment, and the ability to assess by component.

New National RTAP Website Builder Website Launched

Texas County Transportation has been in business in Licking, Missouri for thirty years and just launched their first website in early October 2018 with the help of National RTAP’s Website Builder tool. One of the agency’s board members, Lillian Maxey, was able to set it up in just a few weeks with Website Builder’s transit-focused template.

National RTAP technical support adapted the agency’s website logo from their van logo and helped them with their scrolling banner, so users can easily find the pages they need anywhere on the site. Rural and tribal transit agencies who want to use this free tool to create their own website can get starte d today.

Calendar of Upcoming Events

Federal Transit Administration

Public Transportation Agency Safety Plan (PTASP) Bus Guidance and Template

Thursday, November 1, 2-3:30 PM

Webinar

National Transit Institute

Title VI and Public Transit Course

New York, NY, November 5-6