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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
Upcoming Tribal and Rural Mini-Conference in Santa Fe, New Mexico
Upcoming National RTAP/AASHTO MTAP Mobility as a Service (MaaS) Webinar
National RTAP Bus Roadeo Toolkit Update Request for Proposals (RFP)
U.S. DOT Notice of Funding Opportunity for Regional Infrastructure Accelerators Program
FTA Notice of Funding Opportunity for Low-No and Buses and Bus Facilities Grants
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Upcoming Tribal and Rural Mini-Conference in Santa Fe, New Mexico
Register for the upcoming 2025 National RTAP Tribal & Rural Transit Mini-Conference that will take place on June 24-26, 2025 in Santa Fe, NM. National RTAP is providing three (3) full days of tribal and rural transit training. The mini-conference kicks off with a two-day grant writing workshop. On the morning of Day 2, attendees not taking the grant writing workshop can attend the "Customer Service" and "Dealing with Problem Passengers" training modules. On Day 3, attendees can choose from either a day-long training on the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) or a concurrent 4-hour Community Transportation Association of America (CTAA) Passenger Assistance Safety and Sensitivity (PASS) Driver Training workshop with the option to attend from 8:00 AM to noon or from 1:00 PM to 4:30 PM. You must be present for the raffle drawing to win the prize.
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Upcoming National RTAP/AASHTO Transit Management Webinar on Mobility as a Service (MaaS)
In our Opportunities for Rural Mobility as a Service (MaaS) webinar on June 18, 2025 from 1:00-2:30 PM ET, we'll share lessons from 2 successful MaaS initiatives, one in rural Minnesota, the other from the San Joaquin Valley, which contains a number of rural areas. We'll demonstrate how scheduling and dispatch software can interface with existing MaaS platforms to seamlessly connect customers to fixed-route and demand-response transit, carshare, vanpool, taxi, and ridehail.
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National RTAP Bus Roadeo Toolkit Update Request for Proposals (RFP)
National RTAP will be updating its Bus Roadeo Toolkit and has issued a Request for Proposals (RFP). We will be holding a Pre-Proposal Call on July 29, 2025 between 2:00-3:00 PM ET. Proposals must be received by 5:00 pm EST on Thursday, August 28, 2025.
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Upcoming National RTAP Events
Paul Comfort, SVP, Chief Customer Officer. Modaxo Americas/ANZ and Producer/Host, Transit Unplugged will present at a National RTAP webinar on The Road to Multimodal Connectivity: Shaping the New Future of Public Transportation on July 10, 2025 from 2:00-3:00 PM ET. Paul Comfort explores how agencies and communities can connect transit, intercity rail, shared mobility, microtransit, active transportation, and more into one seamless rider experience. We’ll dive into how inter-agency cooperation, integrated fare systems, and emerging technologies are driving a new era of mobility—one that’s connected, convenient, and customer-centered.
National RTAP's next State RTAP Manager Peer Roundtable will be held on July 29, 2025, from 2:00-3:00 PM ET. This is an informal meeting for State RTAP Managers to discuss issues of interest to them. Topics will include how to find trainers, trainer succession planning, the role of State RTAPs in mobility management, and others.
Please note that this Roundtable is only for managers of State RTAPs. Stay tuned for an upcoming Transit Manager Peer Roundtable.
The National RTAP Books in Transit Discussion Group selected Bus People: 30 Days on the Road with America's Nomads by Mike Pentecost for its August 19, 2025, 2:00-3:00 PM ET meeting. Bus People focuses on the stories, hopes, and dreams that accompany the passengers that Greyhound serves. Register for the meeting. The author will be joining us! If you would like to borrow the book, please contact us.
2025 National RTAP Technical Assistance Conference Info
The 6th National RTAP Technical Assistance Conference, Wrangling Access and Mobility in Rural and Tribal Transit, will take place in Austin, Texas between December 7-10, 2025, at the Hyatt Regency Austin on 208 Barton Springs Road.
We will post more information on our conference web page when available.
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 and 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.
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.
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National RTAP Participation in Upcoming Conferences
We're presenting, exhibiting, and participating at the following conferences and meetings:
- CTAA EXPO, San Diego, CA, June 2-4
- Special Libraries Association 2025 Annual Conference & Expo, Pittsburgh, PA, June 7-10
- Transit Retreat, Des Moines, IA, June 25-26
- NADO National Regional Transportation Conference, Des Moines, IA, July 15-17
- National TTAP/LTAP Conference, Kansas City, MO, July 20-24
- 2025 LPTA & SWTA Summer U Joint Conference & EXPO, New Orleans, LA, July 27-30
- ATI Annual Conference, Quincy, MA, July 29-31
- Non-Emergency Medical Transportation Accreditation Commission (NEMTAC) Transform 2025 Annual Conference, Dallas, TX, August 24-26
- Tri-State Transit Conference, Portland, ME, September 3-5
- 2025 Midwest Transit Conference, Kansas City, MO, September 3-5
- Montana Rural Transit Workshop, Helena, MT, September 3-5
- URSTA Conference and Roadeo, St. George, UT, September 10-13
- National Transportation in Indian Country (NTICC), Gila, River AZ, September 21-25
Updated National RTAP Human Trafficking Topic Guide
National RTAP continues its annual Topic Guide update with our Human Trafficking Topic Guide. The resources help raise awareness of human trafficking in the transportation industry and assist stakeholders to identify and report human trafficking victims. New resources include:
Get Ready for Rural Transit Day
Rural Transit Day is July 16, 2025. Now you can purchase an official Rural Transit Day t-shirt through our t-shirt vendor, as many of you have asked for. The deadline to order is May 31, 2025.
We will be holding a Facebook Live Rural Transit Day Chat on July 16, 2025 from 2:00-3:00 PM ET. The chat will be moderated by John Andoh, Stephanie Bushong, Stephanie Lewis, and National RTAP staff. If you would like to participate, please RSVP. There will also be a Rural Transit Day Prequel on X where we will showcase all the entries to our Art of Transit Photo Contest. No need to preregister; just click on the link between 1:00-2:00 PM ET on July 16, 2025.
This year we are requesting smart cards for our Rural Transit Day Time Capsule. If you have any that you can send us (no fares need to be loaded), please mail them to Cara Marcus, Knowledge and Resource Manager, National RTAP, 5 Wheeling Avenue, Woburn, MA 01801.
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U.S. DOT published a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for its Regional Infrastructure Accelerators Program. The program funds technical resources, planning, and project development to expedite regional transportation infrastructure through innovative financing and delivery methods, including public-private partnerships. Applications must be received by June 16, 2025.
FTA published a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for FY 2025 competitive grants for the Low or No Emission Grant Program and Grants for Buses and Bus Facilities Program. Low-No Program funds will be awarded for the purchase or lease of buses that use low- or no-emission propulsion technologies, including related equipment or facilities. Bus Program funds will be awarded to purchase, rehabilitate, or lease buses and related equipment, and to construct, purchase, rehabilitate, or lease bus-related facilities. The application deadline for both programs is July 14, 2025.
On May 5, 2025, FTA announced the availability of Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 full-year funding detailed in apportionment tables that specify funding to states, urbanized areas, and Tribal governments based on statutory formulas.
The FTA Coordinating Council on Access and Mobility (CCAM) updated its Federal Fund Braiding Guide in May 2025. This guide defines federal fund braiding for local match and program eligibility to enable federal agencies and federal grant recipients to more effectively manage federal funds and coordinate human services transportation.
FTA CCAM also updated its CCAM Program Inventory in May 2025, which now includes 132 federal programs. The inventory is used to find information on programs that may fund human services transportation for people with disabilities, older adults, and/or individuals of low income. Updates include local match requirements, federal fund braiding eligibility, and definitions for data elements.
The recording and testimony for A Review of the President’s Fiscal Year 2026 Budget Request for the Department of Transportation, which was held on May 15, 2025, has been posted.
U.S. DOT published a Proposed Rule that would revise and update its internal policies and procedures relating to the issuance of rulemaking documents. It proposes updates to U.S. DOT's procedural requirements governing the review and clearance of guidance documents, and the initiation and conduct of enforcement actions. Comments are due June 16, 2025.
U.S. DOT announced the establishment of the U.S. Department of Transportation Advisory Board, which is intended to provide strategic vision and high-level guidance to modernize and enhance the United States transportation systems. Committee member nominations are due June 2, 2025.
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Join the Accessible Transportation Resource Center on June 17, 2025, at 1:00 PM ET for a webinar highlighting the innovative work behind goMARTI (Minnesota’s Accessible Rural Transit Innovations), a first-of-its-kind project testing connected and autonomous vehicle technology in a rural setting with a winter climate. The presentation will explore the project’s expansion, community engagement strategies, and its role in building a scalable model.
America Walks is holding a webinar on Small Cities and Transit – Why It Matters on June 4, 2025 at 2:00 PM ET. Attendees will discover how small cities and towns are incorporating transit into their transportation and community objectives and hear case studies about small cities and towns that are stepping up to meet community needs using transit.
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In Transit’s Response to the Unhoused and Vulnerable Populations, the American Public Transit Association (APTA) shares key educational resources and best practices for transit agencies interested in research, strategies and the programs transit agencies have developed and implemented in recent years. There are many approaches, including the use of ambassadors, outreach workers, and mental health professionals in place of or in collaboration with transit police and public safety teams.
The Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) 2025 Pocket Guide to Transportation shows major trends in transportation through 2024. Transit ridership rose sharply following the end of the pandemic, although most workers over age 16 drive alone to work. Data are also available on safety, performance, and other topics.
The Bipartisan House Task Force Report on Artificial Intelligence outlines an approach to responsible artificial intelligence (AI) innovation while considering guardrails that may be appropriate to safeguard the nation against current and emerging threats. The report covers government use, data privacy, civil rights, and other topics.
The Shared-Use Mobility Center's (SUMC) Zero-Fare Transit: State of the Industry highlights the lessons learned from seven zero-fare transit programs in a variety of operational contexts, including small urban, rural, and Tribal systems. This study also explores how these programs have sustained funding, developed partnerships to support zero-fare service, and interacted with nearby transit systems that charge fares.
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The Transit Workforce Center Data Dashboard has been updated with new features, including new employment projections charts, which highlight the relationships between projected job openings in transportation-related occupations and increased or decreased demand for workers, labor force exits, and occupational transfers.
The Small Urban and Rural Center on Mobility (SURCOM) provides a Transportation Glossary. The Glossary includes terms and acronyms, which can be searched and/or browsed separately.
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The FY 2026 TCRP Program is open for submissions. The submission deadline is June 20, 2025. Projects will then be selected in Fall 2025.
NHTSA issued two recall notifications regarding certain Gillig, LLC 2023-2024 Low Floor and 2022-2023 Nova Bus Low Floor Series transit buses. Gillig and Nova Bus will replace the batteries, free of charge. Owners may contact Gillig customer service at 1-800-735-1500 and Nova Bus customer service at 1-800-350-6682.
TRB is soliciting nominations from June 1 - July 31, 2025 for the Sharon D. Banks Humanitarian Leadership in Transportation Award, W.N. Carey, Jr. Distinguished Service Award, Roy W. Crum Distinguished Service Award, and Robert E. Skinner, Jr. Distinguished Transportation Research Management Award.
The National Center for Applied Transit Technology (N-CATT) is designing a free web tool to help transit agencies see how data flows from one part of a process to another and is looking for agencies to test the tool. Interested individuals can contact helpdesk@n-catt.org.
| | The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is proposing to rescind reporting requirements, certification, independent verification, and DOE review for the Voluntary Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program. DOE seeks comments by June 16, 2025. DOE is also proposing to rescind the efficiency standards for battery chargers. Comments must be received by July 15, 2025. In addition, DOE is proposing to rescind the Production Incentives for Cellulosic Biofuels regulations. Comments must be received by June 16, 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).
New
National Center for Rural Road Safety
Transit as a Safety Strategy Webinar
May 22, 1:00 PM
No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting
National RTAP
GTFS Office Hours
May 22, 1:00-1:30 PM
No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting
New
ITS America
From Planning to Practice - ITSA's Guide to AI for Transportation Webinar
May 22, 1:00-2:00 PM
National RTAP
Website Builder Office Hours
May 27, 1:00-1:30 PM
No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting
New
National Safety Council (NSC)
The Heart of Workplace Safety - Fostering Emotional Engagement for Lasting Impact Webinar
May 27, 1:00-2:00 PM
TRB
TRB's Conference on Data and AI for Transportation Advancement
Seattle, WA, May 27-29
Center for Transportation and the Environment (CTE)
Alternative Fueling for Alternative Fuels: Unconventional Approaches to Fleet Charging Webinar
May 28, 1:00 PM
New
ITS America
Real World V2X Uses to Improve Vulnerable Road User Safety Webinar
May 28, 1:00-2:30 PM
New
Partners for Automated Vehicle Education (PAVE)
Open for Innovation: Leveraging Public + Private Partnerships to Advance CAV Technologies Webinar
May 28, 3:00 PM
National RTAP
GTFS Office Hours
May 29, 1:00-1:30 PM
No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting
New
Eno Center for Transportation
Harnessing AI's Power at Transportation Agencies Webinar
June 2, 2:00-2:45 PM
Community Transportation Association of America (CTAA)
CTAA EXPO
San Diego, CA, June 2-4
Please visit our booth!
TRB
TRB's National Summit on the Future of the Transportation Workforce
Westminster, CO, June 2-4
Johns Hopkins Center for Injury Research and Policy
2025 Safe System Academy Conference
Washington, DC, June 2-6
National Transit Institute
Transit Academy 2025
Salt Lake City, UT, June 2-6
National RTAP
Website Builder Office Hours
June 3, 1:00-1:30 PM
No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting
New
U.S. Access Board
Information Webinar on the Zero Project Awards 2026
June 3, 1:00–2:00 PM
New
Micromobility Industries
Powering Micromobility: How Connectivity Platforms Drive Smarter Fleets Webinar
June 4, 12:00 PM
New
ITS America
V2X for Policymakers and Non-ITS Professionals Webinar
June 4, 1:00-2:00 PM
New
America Walks
Small Cities and Transit – Why It Matters Webinar
June 4, 2:00 PM
National Operations Center of Excellence (NOCoE)
PSE Spotlight Series Webinar
June 5, 1:00 PM
New
TRB
Emerging Roadside Chemical Testing for Impaired Driving Investigations Webinar
June 6, 1:00-2:30 PM
Special Libraries Association (SLA)
SLA 2025 Annual Conference & Expo
Pittsburgh, PA, June 7-10
We're presenting!
National RTAP
GTFS Office Hours
June 10, 1:00-1:30 PM
No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting
New
Minnesota Department of Transportation
Research Radar: Driver Behavior Webinar
June 12, 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
National RTAP
Website Builder Office Hours
June 12, 1:00-1:30 PM
No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting
New
U.S. Small Business Administration
Tribal Consultation for 8(a) Business Development Program and Mentor-Protégé Program Issues and Best Practices
Anchorage, AK, June 13, 1:30-5:00 PM
Registration deadline - June 6, 2025
Center for Transportation and the Environment (CTE)
One-on-One Transit Event
Binghamton, NY, June 16-18
New
Accessible Transportation Resource Center
Accessible Autonomous Transportation in Rural Minnesota Webinar
June 17, 1:00 PM
National RTAP
GTFS Office Hours
June 17, 1:00-1:30 PM
No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting
National RTAP
Opportunities for Rural Mobility as a Service (MaaS)
June 18, 1:00-2:30 PM
New
National Center for Rural Road Safety
How Human Factors Impacts Rural Road Safety Webinar
June 19, 1:00 PM
National RTAP
Website Builder Office Hours
June 19, 1:00-1:30 PM
No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting
New
Community Action Partnership and Coordinating Council on Access and Mobility Technical Assistance Center (CCAM-TAC)
What is CCAM-TAC and How can it Impact your Program and Transportation in Your Community Webinar
June 23, 1:30 PM
TRB
TRB National Conference on Tools of the Trade
Albuquerque, NM, June 23-25
National RTAP reviewed session abstracts
National RTAP
GTFS Office Hours
June 24, 1:00-1:30 PM
No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting
National RTAP
2025 National RTAP Tribal & Rural Transit Mini-Conference
Santa Fe, NM, June 24-26
NPMA and HIRTA
Transit Retreat
Des Moines, IA, June 25-26
We're presenting and exhibiting!
National RTAP
Website Builder Office Hours
June 26, 1:00-1:30 PM
No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting
National RTAP
Website Builder Office Hours
July 1, 1:00-1:30 PM
No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting
National RTAP
GTFS Office Hours
July 3, 1:00-1:30 PM
No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting
National RTAP
Website Builder Office Hours
July 8, 1:00-1:30 PM
No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting
New
National Transit Institute
Public Involvement in Transportation Decision-Making
Richmond, VA, July 8-10
U.S. Access Board
U.S. Access Board Town Hall Meeting
New Orleans, LA, July 9, 10:00 AM - 12:30 PM
Registrations must be received by July 2, 2025
National RTAP
GTFS Office Hours
July 10, 1:00-1:30 PM
No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting
New
National RTAP
The Road to Multimodal Connectivity: Shaping the New Future of Public Transportation
July 10, 2:00-3:00 PM
National RTAP
Website Builder Office Hours
July 15, 1:00-1:30 PM
No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting
National Association of Development Organizations (NADO)
2025 National Regional Transportation Conference
Des Moines, IA, July 15-17, 2025
Please stop by our table!
National RTAP
Rural Transit Day "The Art of Transit" Chat Prequel
July 16, 1:00-2:00 PM
No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the prequel
National RTAP
Rural Transit Day Facebook Live Chat
July 16, 2:00-3:00 PM
National RTAP
GTFS Office Hours
July 17, 1:00-1:30 PM
No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting
NLTAPA
National TTAP/LTAP Conference
Kansas City, MO, July 20-24
Please visit our booth!
USAging
Answers on Aging 2025
Chicago, IL, July 20-23
New
National Transit Institute
Transit Academy
Pittsburgh, PA, July 21-25
New
Bobit
Fleet Forward: The Tour
Irvine, CA, July 22
National RTAP
Website Builder Office Hours
July 22, 1:00-1:30 PM
No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting
National RTAP
GTFS Office Hours
July 24, 1:00-1:30 PM
No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting
LPTA & SWTA
2025 LPTA & SWTA Summer U Joint Conference & EXPO
New Orleans, LA, July 27-30
Please visit our booth!
National RTAP
Website Builder Office Hours
July 29, 1:00-1:30 PM
No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting
National RTAP
State RTAP Manager Peer Roundtable
July 29, 2:00-3:00 PM
Association of Travel Instruction (ATI)
ATI Annual Conference
Quincy, MA, July 29-31
Please visit our booth!
National RTAP
GTFS Office Hours
July 31, 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. Also, see the FTA Events Calendar. To submit an event, email info@nationalrtap.org.
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