eNews - October 23, 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

National RTAP Conference: Sessions, Workshops, Sponsors, Early Bird Deadline Extended

Upcoming National RTAP Mobility Manager Peer Roundtable on Travel Training

Celebrate National Rural Mobility Week with National RTAP, AMM, and Partners

FWHA Tribal Transportation Program Safety Fund Grants Available

U.S. DOT published an Interim Final Rule, effective October 3, 2025, for the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) program, removing race- and sex-based presumptions of social and economic disadvantage. The comment deadline is November 3, 2025.

U.S. DOT is establishing the Beautifying Transportation Infrastructure Council (BTIC) and soliciting nominations for membership through November 21, 2025. The purpose of the Council is to advise the Secretary of Transportation on enhancing the aesthetic value of our U.S. transportation systems. 

CTAA, in partnership with the New Mexico Department of Transportation Transit and Rail Division, has provided transit agencies in every state with free access to CTAA's Conflict Management and De-Escalation for Transit Drivers and Supervisors course.

The Transit Workforce Center (TWC) is holding a Continuing to Serve — Veterans’ Transit Career Routes Webinar on November 6, 2025 at 1:00 PM ET. Hear from and engage with transit agencies and veterans about the experience veterans bring to public transportation, the various career trajectories they can follow in the industry, and how to launch veteran-focused outreach and recruitment programs. 

The National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health (NOSORH) and Coordinating Council on Access and Mobility Technical Assistance Center (CCAM TAC) are holding a webinar on CCAM TAC: Breaking Down Barriers to Access in Rural Communities on November 12, 2025 from 3:00-4:00 PM ET. The webinar introduces CCAM TAC's onsite technical assistance, federal fund braiding workshops, and facilitated workshops and planning sessions.

NADO's Complete Streets Policy Planning Process for Rural Communities presents a framework for developing and implementing complete streets policies tailored to rural communities. Recognizing the unique challenges and transportation needs in rural settings, the document outlines a step-by-step policy planning process that prioritizes safety, accessibility, and multimodal infrastructure for all users, including drivers, bicyclists, pedestrians, transit users, and others. Thank you to SJSU student Tara Franklin for assistance with cataloging this resource.

The Transit Workforce Center's (TWC) Case Study: Promoting Job Quality in the Microtransit Workforce shares experiences from four transit locations that are implementing microtransit service in ways that promote job quality for operators, technicians, and others, while also providing greater control over the quality of the service. The case studies include rural microtransit services such as CARTS (Capital Area Rural Transportation System).

NCHRP's Developing Snapshots for Transportation Planning documents the process of developing four Snapshots of Planning Practices, concise and visually appealing documents that report on current planning practices in use by transportation agencies in four practice areas: Complete Streets, Data Sharing for Performance Management, Collaboration on Local Freight Delivery, and Economic Analysis to Support Decision-Making.

The National Safety Council (NSC) Safety Maturity and Approach Profile (Safety MAAP) is a free tool that helps organizations identify where they are on their safety journey and offers next steps to improve safety. It can be used to train employees with safety practices and connect with safety experts and peers.

NSC also launched the Overdose Emergency Planning Tool, a new, free resource designed to help safety professionals improve opioid overdose readiness in the workplace. The tool identifies considerations to help organizations determine a recommended amount of naloxone for overdose preparation.

The Bureau of Transportation Statistics' (BTS) Transportation Vulnerability and Resilience (TVAR) data program provides data and tools to help local and state agencies assess and respond to natural, manufactured, and cybersecurity threats to transportation infrastructure.

The Center of Internet Security Multi-State Information Sharing and Analysis Center has moved from a free, federally funded organization to a paid membership model. It offers cybersecurity tools, resources, notifications, and a cyber alert map.

FHWA is accepting applications for the 2026 Tribal Transportation Program Safety Fund (TTPSF). These competitive funds support projects that reduce transportation fatalities and serious injuries in Indian Country. The application deadline is January 15, 2026.

METRO Magazine is inviting motorcoach operators, suppliers, and industry stakeholders to submit nominations for a 2026 Motorcoach Award through November 14, 2025. These awards acknowledge operators that push boundaries, adopt new technologies, and maintain exceptional performance standards.

The University of Illinois at Chicago invites persons with disabilities to participate in a survey for a TCRP project on Addressing Gaps in Measuring Disability in Transportation Data Systems. The researchers are conducting a research project to learn about travel surveys and questions asked of people with disabilities.

The World Road Association and the International Association of Transport Regulators are researching current and future challenges facing transportation agencies now and in the future. The survey deadline is November 21, 2025.

The Pedestrian and Bicycle Funding Opportunities: U.S. Department of Transportation Highway, Transit, and Safety Funds table was updated on October 17, 2025 with likely future eligibility for pedestrian and bicycle activities and projects under U.S. DOT surface transportation funding programs.  

The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) issued a Temporary Order from October 15, 2025 to October 15, 2027 to place seven benzimidazole-opioids in Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act. The order imposes regulatory controls and administrative, civil, and criminal sanctions for possession of the substances.

For tax year 2026, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced that the monthly limitation for the qualified transportation fringe benefit and the monthly limitation for qualified parking increases to $340, up $15 from 2025.

An Executive Action on October 17, 2025 on Adjusting Imports of Medium- and Heavy-Duty Vehicles, Medium- and Heavy-Duty Vehicle Parts, and Buses into the United States has set 10% tariff rates for imports for imported buses and parts, effective November 1, 2025.

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission proposes to amend its regulations to insert a conditional sunset date into certain regulations in response to the Executive Order on Zero-Based Regulatory Budgeting to Unleash American Energy. Comments must be received by November 20, 2025. A Final Rule regarding this is effective December 5, 2025, unless significant adverse comments are received by November 20, 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).

Bobit Business Media

Fleet Forward Conference

San Diego, CA, October 21-23

Oklahoma Transit Association

Oklahoma Transit Association 2025 Annual Conference

Tulsa, OK, October 21–24

Please visit our booth!

National RTAP

GTFS Office Hours

October 23, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

TRB 

Using Snapshots to Advance Transportation Planning Webinar

October 24, 1:00-2:30 PM

Transit Mobility Alliance

Transit Mobility Alliance Conference

Phoenix, AZ, October 26-29

Mpact

Mpact Transit + Community Conference

Portland, OR, October 26-29

New

National Safety Council (NSC)

From Risk to Readiness: A Smarter Way to Prepare for Opioid Overdose Webinar

October 27, 1:00 PM

New

TRB 

Formalizing Sustainable Risk Management in Your Organization Webinar

October 27, 1:00-2:00 PM

United South and Eastern Tribes (USET)

USET Annual Meeting - cancelled

Williamsburg, VA, October 27-30

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 - Cancelled

October 29, 1:30-3:00 PM

New

ITS America

Deploy and Drive - Real-World Vehicle to Everything (V2X) in Action Webinar

October 29, 2:00-3:00 PM

New

Partners for Automated Vehicle Education (PAVE)

Tech in Transit: How Automation is Advancing Public Transportation Virtual Panel

October 30, 12:00 PM

National RTAP

GTFS Office Hours

October 30, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

New

National Safety Council (NSC)

Virtual HOP (Human & Organizational Performance) Summit

November 2-3

Oregon Transit Association

Oregon Transit Association Conference 

Seaside, OR, November 2-5

Please visit our booth!

The Transportation Alliance

Mobilize 2025

Las Vegas, NV, November 3-6

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

Health Outreach Partners

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

November 4, 12, 18, and 25, 2:00 PM

National RTAP

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

November 5, 2:00-3:00 PM

New

Transportation Learning Network (TLN), Upper Great Plains Transportation Institute, North Dakota State University

Advancements in AI for Regular People Virtual Learning

November 5, 2:30-4:30 PM

Registration deadline: October 31, 2025

University of Minnesota Center for Transportation Studies (CTS)

2025 CTS Transportation Research Conference

Minneapolis, MN, November 6

Registration deadline: October 31, 2025

New

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

National RTAP

Website Builder Office Hours

November 11, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

New

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

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

Gerontological Society of America

GSA 2025

Boston, MA, November 12-15

We're presenting!

New

University of Minnesota Center for Transportation Studies (CTS)

Innovations for Energy-Efficient Transportation Webinar

November 13, 12:00-1:30 PM

National RTAP

GTFS Office Hours

November 13, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

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

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

Western Community Assessment Network

Accessible Rural Communities Solutions Roundtable

November 18, 2:30-5:30 PM

New

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

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 Transit Institute

Introduction to Paratransit Management and Operations Online Course

December 1-4, 1:00-5:00 PM

National RTAP

Website Builder Office Hours

December 2, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

New

Minnesota RTAP

Dispatching and Scheduling Training for Rural Transit Systems

St. Cloud, MN, December 3

This in-person training utilizes the curriculum developed by National RTAP

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 Transit Institute

Public Involvement in Transportation Decision-Making - Virtual Course

December 8-11, 1:00-5:00 PM

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

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

Intertribal Transportation Association (ITA)

ITA Annual Meeting

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

Now January 13-15

We're participating!

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