National RTAP eNews - September 25, 2025

eNews - September 25, 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

Tribal Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) Added to Transit Manager's Toolkit

Upcoming National RTAP Webinars and Roundtables on Funding, Tribal Transit & Resources

Early Bird Registration Deadline for the 2025 National RTAP Conference is October 19, 2025

Rural Economic Development and Rural Health Transformation Program Funding Available

New National RTAP Tribal Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) Template

National RTAP published a Tribal Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) Template in its Transit Manager's Toolkit. The purpose of this template is to provide Tribes and Tribal transit systems with a sample template of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that they can use to enter into an agreement with the government of a city or county.

The template was created by National RTAP Tribal Transit Liaison Jeremy Bell and reviewed by National RTAP Review Board member and Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribal Transit Transit Manager Michele Smith.

Tribal MOU Template

Join us for a Rural Transit Peer Roundtable on Funding on October 1, 2025 from 2:00-3:00 PM ET. Discuss funding strategies, challenges, and opportunities in rural transit. This roundtable will provide a space to share experiences, explore innovative approaches, and exchange practical solutions for sustaining and expanding rural transportation services.

Our Tribal Transit TIPS (Tribal Innovative Performance Solutions) Roundtable - Identifying Needs & Advancing Coordinated Solutions will be held on October 8, 2025 from 2:00-3:00 PM ET. Join us for a Tribal Transit Roundtable focused on creating space for meaningful discussion and feedback directly from Tribal Nations.

There's always something new at National RTAP! Register for a Fall for New National RTAP Resources webinar on October 14, 2025, 2:00-3:00 PM, to learn about some of our newest resources, including the Rural and Tribal Transit Compendium of Best Practices, 5310 Programs List, and others.

Upcoming National RTAP Events

Please join National RTAP in Rapid City, South Dakota, on October 14-16, 2025 for a Tribal and Rural Transit Mini-Conference with three days of Tribal and rural transit training. The conference will be held at the Hotel Alex Johnson Rapid City/Curio Collection by Hilton.

The mini-conference kicks off with a plenary roundtable discussion of agency best practices and challenges, then continues with 90-minute breakout sessions covering a wide range of transit-specific and hot topics by experts in Tribal and rural transit program development, including, but not limited to: Transit Planning I and II, long range transportation planning, National Environmental Policy Act I and II, procurement and National RTAP’s ProcurementPRO, grant writing, the latest research on right-sizing your fleets, and how transit agencies can “do more with less” in this new environment of uncertain future federal funding.

National RTAP is holding a Mobility Management Peer Roundtable on Grant Writing Using AI Assistance on October 15, 2025 from 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM ET. This session will dive into how AI can support rural transit and mobility management professionals in crafting compelling grant applications.

Join us for a Let’s Dial-up Accurate GTFS Data for NTD Reporting and Rider Confidence Webinar on November 5, 2025 from 2:00-3:00 PM ET. This webinar will support rural transit agencies as they begin their GTFS updates. Attendees will learn how to conduct a data quality review and how to update GTFS data feeds.

Technology Tools Office Hours

National RTAP offers free, live GTFS Builder support on Thursdays from 1:00-1:30 PM ET. Use this link to join. National RTAP also offers live technical support for Website Builder on Tuesdays from 1:00-1:30 PM ET. Share your screen, ask questions, and get help. Use this link to join – no need to register for either session.

National RTAP is a Partner for TCRP Day

TCRP Day will be on October 1, 2025. National RTAP partnered with AASHTO to celebrate the Transit Cooperative Research Program on TCRP Day.

Upcoming Association of Mobility Managers Webinar on National RTAP's RideSheet

The Association of Mobility Managers (AMM) is holding a webinar on National RTAP's RideSheet: Dispatching Technology for Rural Transit on October 14, 2025 at 3:00 PM ET. Participants will learn about a pilot in Kansas from Michael Wilson and Michelle Coats.

Books in Transit Discussion Group Selects Next Book

The National RTAP Books in Transit Discussion Group selected The New Life by Nobel Prize winning author Orhan Pamuk as our next book to read. In the book, a student takes bus trips in pursuit of a vision. Our next meeting will be on February 19, 2026 from 2:00-3:00 PM ET.

Recordings Published for National RTAP Webinars on GTFS Builder and CCAM

We held the first workshop in a 3-part GTFS Builder Series on September 16, 2025. Easing into the Recent General Transit Feed Specification (GTFS) NTD Reporting Requirements: Understanding How to Create GTFS Route and Stop Shapes provided a brief overview of GTFS Builder before digging deeper into creating shapes. Access the recording and presentation slides.

We held a webinar on How to Build Effective Partnerships using Mobility Management with CCAM on September 17, 2025. This webinar highlighted the role of the Coordinating Council on Access and Mobility (CCAM) in fostering partnerships that improve access to employment, healthcare, education, and community services. Access the recording and presentation slides.

National RTAP Review of RHIhub's Transportation to Support Rural Healthcare

National RTAP's Knowledge and Resource Manager reviewed the Rural Health Information Hub's (RHIhub) Transportation to Support Rural Healthcare guide, which focuses on how communities can provide transportation services to support access to rural healthcare. The updated guide includes resources, models, innovations, and more.

Welcome New Illinois RTAP Manager

National RTAP extends a warm welcome to new Illinois RTAP Manager John Bannon. If you would like to get in touch with John or any other RTAP Managers, visit our Directory of State RTAP Managers.

The 6th National RTAP Technical Assistance Conference, Wrangling Access and Mobility in Rural and Tribal Transit, will take place in Austin, Texas from December 7-10, 2025 at the Hyatt Regency Austin on 208 Barton Springs Road. The Registration and Agenda and Vendor Prospectus are now available.

The Early Bird Deadline to register is October 19, 2025.

Once you register for the conference, you will have the option in the registration form to reserve a room at the Hyatt Regency Austin through our room block.

We have provided a conference justification letter that you are welcome to use if you need approval. If you click on the Justification Letter button in this newsletter or on our website, the letter will download to your computer.

A detailed agenda with the names of the presenters is coming soon!

Students are invited to submit a poster for the Conference to be shown on December 7, 2025. Posters for consideration must be sent by October 1, 2025 to info@nationalrtap.org. Students must be able to present their posters in-person.

The Walk of Fame will take place at the conference to recognize exemplary staff for dedication, innovation, customer service, and professionalism. Send the nominee’s name, title, transit agency, email address, and phone number, a photo of the nominee in jpeg or png format, and a paragraph (500-character limit) about why they should be honored, to info@nationalrtap.org by October 10, 2025.

National RTAP Participation in Upcoming Conferences

We're presenting, exhibiting, and participating at the following conferences and meetings:

New National RTAP Medical Transportation Hot Topic Guide

National RTAP continues its annual Hot Topic Guide update with our Medical Transportation Hot Topic Guide. Our Hot Topics are informational technical assistance resources on some of the most highly requested from National RTAP customers within the past year. Resources include:

National RTAP Cited in Eno Center Report

The Eno Center for Transportation's Connecting Communities: Options and Considerations for Enhancing Rural Transit examines the persistent obstacles for rural communities to provide efficient and financially sustainable transit options and evaluates potential solutions. Case studies explore rural transit fixed route, on-demand microtransit, and transit partnerships with transportation network companies (TNCs). National RTAP's Executive Director Robin Phillips and Tribal Transit Liaison Jeremy Bell were acknowledged for contributing their expertise to the data collection portion of this study. The study also cites the National RTAP Fixed Routes Bus Requirements Section of the ADA Toolkit.

Michigan Department of Transportation Article Cites National RTAP

Michigan Department of Transportation's Advancing Rural Mobility Program: Stage 1 Implementation Report cites National RTAP's GTFS Builder.

U.S. DOT and FTA Updates

On September 15, 2025, FTA withdrew its Circular 4703.1 on Environmental Justice. The Circular addressed environmental justice in minority populations and low-income populations.

U.S. DOT is soliciting nominations through October 14, 2025 for membership to serve on the DOT Advisory Committee on Human Trafficking, which is required to make triennial recommendations to the Secretary of Transportation on countering human trafficking in the transportation sector.

FTA announced its full-year apportionments and allocations for grant programs for Fiscal Year 2025. The Rural Transit Assistance Program received $18,716,974, and the

Public Transportation on Indian Reservations Program Formula Grants received $37,433,948.

FTA recently updated its Recipient Toolkit. This toolkit may be consulted to help with decisions on developing applications for award in the Transit Award Management System (TrAMS).

U.S. DOT published its Department Regulatory and Deregulatory Agenda Semiannual Summary. The public is encouraged to submit comments on any aspect of this Regulatory Agenda. While there are no FTA regulations included, regulations of interest include FMCSA's Self-Insurance Program Cost Recovery and U.S. DOT's Consultation and Coordination with Indian Tribal Governments.

U.S. DOT is soliciting nominations for membership to serve on the Department of Transportation Advisory Committee on Human Trafficking. The deadline for nominations for Committee members must be received on or before October 14, 2025.

Webinars and Training

Florida RTAP is holding a webinar on Cultivating Well-Being in Transit—Stress Management, Work-Life Balance & Mental Health on October 9, 2025 from 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM ET. Participants will engage in guided stretching and breathing exercises, gain actionable tips for reducing workplace stress, and learn about successful initiatives, such as Employee Assistance Programs, Snack & Learns, monthly massages, and an Unwind Your Mind week featuring expert speakers, yoga, and mindfulness activities.

The Transportation Safety Institute published its upcoming course schedule. Courses include SMS Principles for Transit, Effectively Managing Transit Emergencies, and others. Virtual and in-person trainings are available, and many courses are free.

The Upper Great Plains Transportation Institute of North Dakota State University Transportation Learning Network offers a De-Escalation Training For Persons in Crisis Virtual Learning Course. The course will take place on October 23, 2025 from 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM ET. The registration deadline is October 20, 2025.

Publications

TCRP's The Impacts of and Response to Drug Use on Transit documents and synthesizes the current practices of transit agencies in addressing the consumption and distribution of illegal drugs on their systems, as well as the resulting effects on customer and staff safety and security.

In Pedestrian Safety and Traffic Operations Near Transit Stops, researchers from the Utah Department of Transportation found that there were more pedestrian crashes at intersections with more far-side transit stops. Solutions can include buses equipped to have a rear yield sign that turns on when the bus operator signals a left turn or pulls away from a stop.

FHWA's Capacity Building Program published a case study on Roaring Fork Transportation Authority’s Approach to Rural Transportation. RFTA launched VelociRFTA, the first rural Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system in the country. The system includes features such as transit signal priority, park-and-ride lots, and real-time passenger information. Thank you to SJSU student Tara Franklin for assistance with this summary.

Databases and Tools

The Connected Nation BEAD Tracker compiles and aggregates data directly from published state BEAD broadband grant final proposals. Users can search by state, provider, or project.

The American Public Transportation Association (APTA) published its 2025 Public Transportation Vehicle Database, an annual report of revenue vehicles by fleet characteristics. Fleet information includes date of manufacture, manufacturer, model, length, fuel type, accessibility features, and number of vehicles. The free database is available in PDF and Excel.

America Walks built a new Walkable Land Use Analysis that shows walkable land use by region, population, and demographics.

The Rural Health Information Hub developed an Am I Rural? tool to help you determine whether your specific location is considered rural based on various definitions of rural, including definitions that are used as eligibility criteria for federal programs.

Simpler Grants.gov is a new way to search Grants.gov opportunities. Users can search with and, or, not (the minus symbol -), and use filters including funding instrument, eligibility, cost sharing, and others.

Opportunities

The Rural Business-Cooperative Service of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) invites applications for loans and grants under the Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant Programs for fiscal year 2026. The application deadlines are: First Quarter, September 30, 2025; Second Quarter, December 31, 2025; Third Quarter, March 31, 2026; and Fourth Quarter, June 30, 2026.

The Rural Health Transformation Program provides funding for states to strengthen U.S. rural communities by improving healthcare access, quality, and outcomes by transforming the healthcare delivery ecosystem. Rural facilities can use these funds to work together and with regional systems to share or coordinate operations, technology, and emergency services. Applications are due November 5, 2025

Oweesta is supporting New York University in recruiting Native small business owners for the 12-month Small Firm Diaries project, a research study on the challenges and opportunities small businesses face.

The Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation Quality of Life grant proposal deadline for the 2025 2nd Cycle closes soon on October 7, 2025. Transportation grants are available for Tier 1. Tier 2 Priority Impact grant areas include Assistive Technology and Disaster Preparedness. The grant supports persons with paralysis and their families and caregivers.

Legislation

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to amend the Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program to remove program obligations for most source categories, including the distribution segment of the petroleum and natural gas systems source category, and suspend program obligations for the remaining subpart W segments until the reporting year 2034. Comments must be received by November 3, 2025.

FMCSA proposes a pilot program allowing temporary regulatory relief from its regulation requiring one rest period of at least 7 consecutive hours in the sleeper berth for drivers who elect to split their time in the sleeper berth. FMCSA also proposes a pilot program allowing temporary regulatory relief from its hours-of-service requirement that all driving by drivers of property-carrying commercial motor vehicles be completed within 14 hours after coming on duty. Comments on both proposed pilots must be received by November 17, 2025.

Upcoming Events

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 Transportation in Indian Country (NTICC)

NTICC 2025

Gila River, AZ, September 21-25

We're presenting and exhibiting!

Terrapinn

MOVE America 2025

Detroit, MI, September 24-25

New

Northeast Passenger Transportation Association (NEPTA)

De-Escalation in Action: A Seven-Step Guide for Transit Professionals Webinar

September 25, 12:00 PM

National RTAP

GTFS Office Hours

September 25, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

New

America Walks

Community Design and Nondrivers - Connecting All of Us Webinar

September 25, 2:00-3:00 PM

International Association of Transportation Regulators (IATR)

IATR Annual Conference 2025

Nashville, TN, September 26-30

Arkansas Public Transit Association

2025 Arkansas Public Transportation Conference

Fort Smith, AK, September 29 - October 1

Please visit our booth!

TripSpark

Game Day to Every Day: Mastering Event Transportation and Community Engagement Webinar

September 30, 1:00 PM

National RTAP

Website Builder Office Hours

September 30, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

Association of Mobility Managers (AMM)

Addressing Gaps and Unmet Needs in Oklahoma Webinar

September 30, 2:00 PM

New

Micromobility Industries

McKinsey update on Mobility Shits & Introduction to Consumer GenAI Webinar

October 1, 7:00 AM

FTA

FTA Drug and Alcohol Training Special Topics Seminars: Handling Shy Bladder

October 1, 11:00 AM -12:00 PM

National RTAP

Rural Transit Peer Roundtable - Funding

October 1, 2:00-3:00 PM

California State University

NextTech Kern Conference

Bakersfield,CA, October 2, 2025

National RTAP

GTFS Office Hours

October 2, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

Latinos in Transit

2025 Leadership Summit

Albuquerque, NM, October 2-4

New

Minnesota and Wisconsin Transit Associations

2025 MN/WI Public Transit Conference

Rochester, MN, October 6-8

We're presenting!

National Transit Institute

Public Involvement in Transportation Decision-Making Online Course

October 6-9, 1:00-5:00 PM

New

New Mexico Transportation Association (NMTA)

Bus Operator De-Escalation Training

Albuquerque, NM, October 7

There are 2 sessions available. To register, contact Melissa Drake. Register by October 1, 2025

National RTAP

Website Builder Office Hours

October 7, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

ADA Guru

ADA Compliance Training

Honolulu, HI, October 7-9

Please Visit our Table!

New

Radically Rural (RR)

Radically Rural Summit

Keene, NH, October 7-9

National RTAP

Tribal Transit TIPS (Tribal Innovative Performance Solutions) Roundtable - Identifying Needs & Advancing Coordinated Solutions

October 8, 2:00-3:00 PM

New

Florida RTAP

Cultivating Well-Being in Transit—Stress Management, Work-Life Balance & Mental Health Webinar

October 9, 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM

National RTAP

GTFS Office Hours

October 9, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

Eno Center for Transportation

Responding to Policy Changes and Preparing for Reauthorization Webinar

October 10, 2:00-2:45 PM

National RTAP

Website Builder Office Hours

October 14, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

Association of Mobility Managers (AMM)

RideSheet: Dispatching Technology for Rural Transit Webinar

October 14, 3:00 PM

National RTAP

Tribal and Rural Transit Mini-Conference

Rapid City, South Dakota, October 14-16

Forth

Forth Roadmap Conference

Detroit, MI, October 14-16

National Association of Development Organizations (NADO)

2025 NADO Annual Training Conference

Salt Lake City, UT, October 14-17

National RTAP

Mobility Management Peer Roundtable: Grant Writing Using AI Assistance

October 15, 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM

National RTAP

GTFS Office Hours

October 16, 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

October 16, 1:00-5:00 PM

Alaska Federation of Natives

Alaska Federation of Natives Convention

Anchorage, AK, October 16-18

Connecticut Association for Community Transportation (CACT)

2025 Annual Statewide CACT Transportation Expo

Newington, CT, October 21

Please visit our table!

National RTAP

Website Builder Office Hours

October 21, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

New

NHTSA

Safety Research Portfolio Public Meeting

Washington, DC, October 21–22

Bobit Business Media

Fleet Forward Conference

San Diego, CA, October 21-23

New

Southwest Transit Association (SWTA)

SWTA 2025 DC Advocacy Summit

Washington, DC, October 22-24

New

Upper Great Plains Transportation Institute of North Dakota State University Transportation Learning Network

De-Escalation Training For Persons in Crisis Virtual Learning Course

October 23, 10:30 AM- 12:30 PM

The registration deadline is October 20, 2025

National RTAP

GTFS Office Hours

October 23, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

Transit Mobility Alliance

Transit Mobility Alliance Conference

Phoenix, AZ, October 26-29

Mpact

Mpact Transit + Community conference

Portland, OR, October 26-29

Intertribal Transportation Association (ITA)

ITA Annual Meeting

Oklahoma City, OK, October 27-29

We're participating!

National Transit Institute

Enhancing Your Transit Asset Management Program with Lifecycle Management Online Course

October 27-29, 1:00-4:30 PM

New

United South and Eastern Tribes (USET)

USET Annual Meeting

Williamsburg, VA, October 27-30

We're presenting!

National RTAP

Website Builder Office Hours

October 28, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO)

2025 AASHTO Safety Summit and Peer Exchange

New Orleans, LA, October 28-30

U.S. Access Board

Public Meeting of the U.S. Access Board

October 29, 1:30-3:00 PM

National RTAP

GTFS Office Hours

October 30, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

Oregon Transit Association

Oregon Transit Association Conference

Seaside, OR, November 2-5

Please visit our booth!

National Transit Institute

Introduction to Paratransit Management and Operations Online Course

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

National Transit Institute

Public Involvement in Transportation Decision-Making Online Course

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

National RTAP

Website Builder Office Hours

November 4, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

National Transit Institute

National Transit Database 2024-2025 Data Products Update Webinar

November 4, 2:00-3:30 PM

National RTAP

Let’s Dial-up Accurate GTFS Data for NTD Reporting and Rider Confidence Webinar

November 5, 2:00-3:00 PM

National RTAP

GTFS Office Hours

November 6, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

National Transit Institute

Procurement I: Orientation to Transit Procurement

Cleveland, OH, November 10-13, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM

National RTAP

Website Builder Office Hours

November 11, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

Gerontological Society of America

GSA 2025

Boston, MA, November 12-15

We're presenting!

National RTAP

GTFS Office Hours

November 13, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

New

National Operations Center of Excellence (NOCoE)

Driving Transportation Innovation: Insights from Pooled Fund Studies Webinar

November 13, 1:00-3:00 PM

National Transit Institute

FTA Uniform Act Basics for Transit Agency Personnel Online Course

November 13, 1:00-5:00 PM

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

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

National RTAP

Website Builder Office Hours

November 25, 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.

Calendar of Events

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

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