eNews - November 6, 2025

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

Only One Month Until the 2025 National RTAP Technical Assistance Conference

Notice of Spam Phishing Email Pretending to be from National RTAP

Updated National RTAP Transit Acronym Dictionary and Rural Transportation List

U.S. DOT Transportation Acquisition Regulation (TAR) Under Review

If you would like to submit an acronym, please email the acronym and its definition to info@nationalrtap.org for consideration for the next update of this dictionary.  

Notice of Spam/Phishing Email that Pretends to be from National RTAP

It has come to our attention this week that a spam/phishing email has been sent to some National RTAP Review Board members, former Review Board members, and others. It has pretends to be from a current Review Board member and has a Gmail email address. The text reads: "I hope you are doing well? Do you have some free time today? I would greatly appreciate it if you could let me know. Thank you" and it has a false "signature" by the Review Board member. 

We have gotten additional notifications this week that people have received emails pretending to be from National RTAP asking them to purchase gift cards (a common spam ploy and something that National RTAP would never do).

The emails are spam. If you receive one, please do not click on anything or answer the email, and please delete it.

For guidance on identifying spam/phishing emails, please see National RTAP's Cybersecurity for Transit Cheat Sheet and eLearning course.

The U.S. DOT Transportation Acquisition Regulation (TAR) is under review. The TAR must align with ongoing interim class deviations to the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR). U.S. DOT is conducting a review of the TAR to streamline and update coverage or to remove content. Comments are invited through December 26, 2025.

FTA's State Safety Oversight Reporting Refresher Training is a refresher training that provides an overview of the State Safety Oversight Reporting (SSOR) tool submission process as well as updates to the SSOR tool.

FTA's recently updated Guidance Center enables users to access FTA guidance by topic and by FTA Region. Topics include procurement, bus testing, transit asset management, and others.

U.S. DOT published Frequently Asked Questions regarding the implementation of the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Interim Final Rule issued on October 3, 2025. Questions include "How does the IFR affect projects that are currently authorized/advertised and projects/contracts already awarded that have DBE goals?", "How does the IFR affect DBE open-ended performance plans for design-build projects?", and others.

TRB is holding a webinar on Innovation After Dark—Boosting Nighttime Transit Ridership on November 10, 2025, from 12:00-1:30 PM ET. Presenters will share examples of safety initiatives like targeted enforcement, operational solutions like improving infrastructure and customer engagement, and lessons learned to support strategies for ridership growth.

The Transit Workforce Center (TWC) offers an E-learning module on The Role of Mentorship in Registered Apprenticeship Programs. It introduces how mentorship is essential to registered apprenticeship programs. Best practices for selecting, training, and supporting mentors are included to support registered apprenticeship program sponsors and participating employers.

A Certificate in Tribal Relations is offered by the Institute for Tribal Government and Center for Public Service in the Mark O. Hatfield School of Government. It is designed for local, state, and federal government agencies, non-profit and for-profit organizations, and trade associations that work regularly with Tribal nations and Native communities. Registration closes November 21, 2025.

The DePaul University Chaddick Institute's Intercity Bus Schedule Frequencies on Notable U.S. Routes project fills a gap in knowledge of the amount of service provided by intercity bus lines on heavily traveled corridors. This project involves recording the number of direct schedule options on 65 routes on representative days to provide a baseline understanding of service.

TCRP's Providing Low-Income Fare Discounts at Public Transit Agencies documents the current state of the practice of low-income fare discount programs offered by North American transit agencies. The authors found that most transit agencies studied offered substantial discounts off full fares, while some offered sliding scales.

The Minnesota Department of Transportation Local Road Research Board's Tools for Capital Improvement Planning guide will help planners understand and compare Capital Improvement Planning (CIP) software tools. The guide summarizes key features, functionalities, and support offerings across several CIP-related solutions.

The National Association of Development Organizations (NADO) Research Foundation published a resource sheet on wayfinding - the practice of guiding people through and between communities using a combination of visual cues, signage, natural landmarks, and digital tools. It includes an overview of what wayfinding is along with resources for further information, such as Six Wayfinding Design Principles. Resources include the Minnesota DOT Demonstration Project Implementation Guide.

The Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) updated its National Transportation Atlas Database (NTAD) Beta Hazard Exposure layers with new data on National Transit Map agencies, routes, and stops, and other topics.

A new Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) People in Car-Free Households and Nearby Public Transit Routes dashboard maps where Americans lack access to cars and need other options for transportation.  

BusGraphs Access Analyzer is a tool for quantifying and exploring the amount of access allowed by transit and walking in arbitrary areas. It can be used creating access analyses and viewing them geographically, viewing transit network schedules, breaking down access by route, and breaking down access by pairs of stops in routes.

The Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) updated its National Transportation Statistics (NTS) with new data on ADA lift- or ramp-equipped transit buses, U.S. vehicle and passenger miles, and other topics.

Employment projections for 2024-2034 have been added to the Transit Workforce Data Dashboard. The Transit Workforce Center (TWC) has also added two new Dashboard charts on workforce characteristics. One chart shows the percentage of military veterans in transit-related occupations, and the other shows the percentage of workers in transit-related occupations who are parents and caregivers of minor children.

The Shared-Use Mobility Center (SUMC) is accepting applications through December 5, 2025 for change leaders to become part of Local Change Teams—groups of 8–12 Change Leaders from roughly 10 cities or regions—coming together to connect, align, and build deep partnerships that drive local action.

METRO Magazine is accepting submissions for its 2026 Operator of the Year and Innovative Operator of the Year awards. The deadline been extended through November 14, 2025.

The Association of Assistive Technology Act Programs (ATAP) offers an opportunity for collaboration with a peer learning cohort designed to bring together entities serving older adults and caregivers who can benefit from assistive technology devices and services.

Several Tribal Transportation and Transportation Workforce organizations at the National Network for the Transportation Workforce Conference have partnered to launch a survey to capture information on the workforce development needs of Tribal nations’ transportation programs. The survey is intended only for Tribal transportation and transit departments.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) submitted an information collection request on Air Emissions Reporting Requirements to the Office of Management and Budget for review and approval. The data collected from the emission reporting is necessary to compile and make publicly available a national inventory of air pollutant emissions. Comments are due December 1, 2025.

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).

The Transportation Alliance

Mobilize 2025

Las Vegas, NV, November 3-6

New

SAE International

Automated Transportation Symposium

Tempe, AZ, November 3-6

Transit Workforce Center (TWC)

Continuing to Serve — Veterans’ Transit Career Routes Webinar

November 6, 1:00 PM

National RTAP

GTFS Office Hours

November 6, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

New

Eno Center for Transportation

Rising Construction Costs - Implications for Reauthorization Webinar

November 6, 2:00-2:45 PM

New

Association of Assistive Technology Act Programs (ATAP)

AI and AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication): Is It Going to be Star Trek or Bladerunner Webinar

November 6, 3:00-4:00 PM

New

TRB 

Innovation After Dark—Boosting Nighttime Transit Ridership Webinar

November 10, 12:00-1:30 PM

New

Mississippi Public Transit Association (MPTA)

2025 MPTA Annual Conference

Oxford, MS, November 10–13, 2025

Please Visit our Booth!

National RTAP

Website Builder Office Hours

November 11, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

Minnesota Shared Mobility Collaborative and Move Minneapolis

2025 Transportation Summit

Minneapolis, MN, November 12, 9:30 AM - 1:00 PM

National RTAP

Mobility Management Roundtable: Guidance & Tips for Rural Travel Training

November 12, 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM

New

Partners for Automated Vehicle Education (PAVE)

Automation in Adverse Conditions: Are AVs Ready for Winter Weather Virtual Panel

November 12, 2:00-2:30 PM

National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health (NOSORH) and Coordinating Council on Access and Mobility Technical Assistance Center (CCAM TAC)

CCAM TAC: Breaking Down Barriers to Access in Rural Communities Webinar

November 12, 3:00-4:00 PM

Health Outreach Partners

Access to Transportation: Strategies and Solutions for Improving Care - Community Of Practice

November 12, 18, and 25, 2:00 PM

Gerontological Society of America

GSA 2025

Boston, MA, November 12-15

We're presenting!

University of Minnesota Center for Transportation Studies (CTS)

Innovations for Energy-Efficient Transportation Webinar

November 13, 12:00-1:30 PM

New

Shared-Use Mobility Center (SUMC)

2026 New Shared Mobility Summit Call for Change Leaders Informational Webinar

November 13, 1:00 PM

National RTAP

GTFS Office Hours

November 13, 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

November 13, 1:00-5:00 PM

National Congress of American Indians (NCAI)

NCAI Annual Convention & Marketplace

Seattle, WA, November 16-21

American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO)

2025 AASHTO Annual Meeting & Expo

Salt Lake City, UT, November 17-20

National RTAP

Website Builder Office Hours

November 18, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

New

Council of State Governments (CSG) East & American Public Transportation Association (APTA)

CSG East & APTA Panel on Transit Funding: Is Transit Investment an Economic Driver?

November 18, 2:00 PM

Western Community Assessment Network

Accessible Rural Communities Solutions Roundtable

November 18, 2:30-5:30 PM

University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute County Health Rankings & Roadmaps

Rural Communities and Economic Resilience Webinar

November 18, 3:00 PM

Purdue University

Food Security, Access, and Health Outcomes in Rural America: Challenges and Policy Pathways Webinar

November 19, 2:00 PM

Georgia Transit Association

Georgia Transit Association Conference

Augusta, GA, November 19-21

Please visit our booth! 

National RTAP

GTFS Office Hours

November 20, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

New

National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health (NOSORH)

Connected and Protected: The Power of Rural Cybersecurity Webinar

November 20, 2:00 PM

NHTSA

Safety Research Portfolio Public Meeting 

Washington, DC, November 20–21

National RTAP

Website Builder Office Hours

November 25, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

National RTAP

Website Builder Office Hours

December 2, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

National RTAP

GTFS Office Hours

December 4, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

National RTAP

6th National RTAP Technical Assistance Conference - Wrangling Access and Mobility in Rural and Tribal Transit

Austin, TX, December 7-10

National RTAP

Website Builder Office Hours

December 9, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

National RTAP

GTFS Office Hours

December 11, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

National RTAP

Website Builder Office Hours

December 16, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

New

TRB 

Connected Mobility Futures—Integrating Transit and Technology Webinar

December 16, 1:00-2:30 PM

National Transit Institute

FTA Uniform Act Basics for Transit Agency Personnel Online Course

December 16, 1:00-5:00 PM

National Transit Institute

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

December 17, 1:00-4:30 PM

National RTAP

GTFS Office Hours

December 18, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

National Transit Institute

National Transit Database: Annual Reporting for Indian Tribes - Virtual Course

December 18-19, 1:00-4:30 PM

National RTAP

Website Builder Office Hours

December 23, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

National RTAP

Website Builder Office Hours

December 30, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

New

National RTAP

Website Builder Office Hours

January 6, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

New

National RTAP

GTFS Office Hours

January 8, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

New

Smart Growth America and Transportation for America

TransportationCamp

Washington, DC, January 10

New

TRB

TRB Annual Meeting

Washington, DC, January 11-15

We're presenting!

Intertribal Transportation Association (ITA)

ITA Annual Meeting

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

Now January 13-15

We're participating!

New

National RTAP

Website Builder Office Hours

January 13, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

New

National RTAP

GTFS Office Hours

January 15, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

New

National RTAP

Website Builder Office Hours

January 20, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

New

National RTAP

GTFS Office Hours

January 22, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

New

Native Learning Center

8th Annual Renewable Energy & Sustainability Conference

Hollywood, FL, January 26-28

New

National RTAP

Website Builder Office Hours

January 27, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

New

National RTAP

State RTAP Manager Peer Roundtable

January 28, 2:00-3:00 PM

New

National RTAP

GTFS Office Hours

January 29, 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