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National RTAP Grant Writing Webinar

Register now for a  Grant Writing 101 Webinar on Wednesday, August 30 at 2:00-3:30 PM ET, which will provide guidance and best practices for writing grant applications, especially for FTA programs.

Presenters include National RTAP Review Board members Kari Banta, RTAP and 5310 Program Manager, Texas DOT, and Katharine Mitchell, Senior Transportation Planner, Regional Transportation Authority of Pima County, AZ.

The presenters are experienced state program managers and transit managers bringing both the reader/funder and the writer/proposer perspectives to the process of writing a grant proposal.  Learn how to improve your narrative and tell your story in a way that funders understand will meet their program goals.
National RTAP eLearning Reaches 5,000 Users

The National RTAP eLearning portal reached a milestone yesterday, when the five-thousandth user registered to access our online training resources. In addition to the individual users, National RTAP provides resources to approximately 500 learning teams.  Users have access to a vast array of resources, including on topics including transit safety, customer service, emergency management and substance abuse and more.   Learn more and register for free today!
New National RTAP Resource Center Manager

Cara Marcus joined National RTAP as the new Resource Center Manager last week.  She has worked for a variety of special, medical, corporate and academic libraries, and has worked with stakeholders to develop an online portal for instruction for library planners and managers, created metadata an archival digital collection, and has published research on a variety of management and information topics.  Cara looks forward to working with National RTAP's rural transportation community and helping you find answers to all your resource and research needs.
2017 National RTAP Conference Agenda Available

Register  for the 2017 National RTAP Technical Assistance Conference: Transportation at the Center in Omaha, Nebraska, October 29 to November 1!  The early bird rate ends September 8.  
View the detailed draft Conference Agenda and register today!
FTA and U.S. DOT Updates
 
The application period for FTA's Grants for Buses and Bus Facilities Infrastructure Investment Program (Section 5339(b)) closes August 25, 2017.  Approximately $226.5 mil. in FY17 funds are available for buses, bus facilities, and bus equipment, with 10% minimum for rural. See the FAQ page for answers to questions about the grants and application process.

Register now for FTA's 17th Biennial State Programs Meeting and State Public Transit Partnerships Conference in Washington, DC, August 16-18. This conference -- for state program managers for Section 5311 and 5310 programs and state transit agency staff -- will provide information about asset management, safety initiatives, coordinated mobility options and more.

FTA recently updated its Award Management Requirements Circular (FTA Circular 5010.1E), effective July 21, 2017. View a Summary of Page Changes on FTA's website.  Webinars are planned for FTA fund recipients and stakeholders on August 31 and September 14, 2017. Registration information will be posted soon.

FTA is proposing new, experimental procedures for increased project management flexibility, project funding innovation, improved efficiency, timely project implementation, and new project revenue streams. A primary goal is to address impediments to the greater use of public-private partnerships (P3s) and private investment in public transit capital projects. Comments on FTA's proposed Private Investment Project Procedures  are due September 29, 2017.
Resources and News

Training

The National Transit Institute (NTI) is hosting an Implementing Rural Transit Technology Course, free for state and local transit agencies,  September 26-27 in  Richmond, VA. Rural transit providers are often interested in how technology can help increase operating efficiency and improve safety. However, the process for planning and implementing appropriate technology-based applications can be challenging. This course presents a structured approach to help ensure that agency needs and expectations are met.

Below are additional upcoming courses. See the  NTI Website for details and the full calendar: 
  • Introduction to Transit Service Planning - New Orleans, LA, August 23-25
  • Ridership Forecasting with Simplified Trips-on-Project Software Package for Transit Project Planning -  Philadelphia, PA,  September 6-7
  • Transit Asset Management Implementation for Tier II Providers and Sponsors -  Atlanta, GA,  September 14
Opportunities

AASHTO is seeking the best photos of your vehicles, staff, passengers and programs for their annual Faces of Transportation photo and video competition. Here is a great chance to share your original images of the beauty of rural transit.  The deadline has been extended to August 25.

Publications

Transit Planning 4 All, a project funded of the Administration for Community Living (ACL), has funded pilot projects nationwide. The  Inclusive Transit Planning Toolkit is a collection of key lessons learned and strategies for transit systems, leaders, and advocates to help increase inclusive planning wherever they are.

The National Aging and Disability Transportation Center (NADTC) has released a new Topic Spotlight from their 2016 Transportation Trends Report titled  Section 5310: Opportunities, Requirements, and New Developments.
 
Also check out the  winners of NADTC's recent Photo Contest!
Look for us at these upcoming conferences!
  • FTA State Programs Meeting and State Public Transit Partnerships Conference, Washington, DC, August 16-18

  • Tri-State Transit Conference, Freeport, ME, September 13-15

  • Oregon Transit Conference, Pendleton, OR, October 1-4
  • National RTAP 2017 Technical Assistance Conference, Omaha, NE, October 29-November 1
August 10, 2017
Events
FTA
State Programs Meeting
Washington, D.C.
August 16-18 

FTA
2017 TAM Roundtable
August 28-29
Cambridge, MA
Meeting

National RTAP
Grant Writing 101
August 30
2:00-3:30 PM

TRB, NCTR & URISA
GIS in Transit Conference
September 6-8
Washington, DC

ME, NH & VT
Tri-State Transit Conference
September 13-15
Freeport, ME

US DOT Volpe Center
Transforming Transportation Speaker Series
September 15

NTTC
20th Annual National Tribal Transportation Conference
Tucson, AZ
September 25-29

NTI
Implementing Rural Transit Technology
Richmond, VA, 
September 26-27

Oregon Transit Association
Annual Conference
Pendleton, OR
October 1-4

Arkansas Transit Association
Annual Conference
North Little Rock, AR
October 2-3

National RTAP 
2017 Technical Assistance Conference
Omaha, NE
Oct 29-Nov 1,  2017
Early Bird: Sept 8

For a listing of all National RTAP and other national events, view our  Calendar . To submit an event, email 
 [email protected].

All event times listed as Eastern Time
Resource Spotlight

This updated Technical Brief provides an overview of the DOT's Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) program for DOT-funded agencies.  

The brief now includes guidance for sub-recipients who may be required by their state to include DBE third-party contracts, as well as a flow chart and updated resources. 

The Southern Nevada Transit Coalition has provided aSample DBE Program Plan .

Download it from our  Resource Library  and refresh your understanding of this important compliance topic!
National RTAP is a program of the Federal Transit Administration dedicated to creating rural and Tribal transit solutions through technical assistance, partner collaboration and FREE training materials.

Contact us:
Main:  5 Wheeling Avenue, Woburn, MA 01801, 888-589-6821
Washington, D.C.:  718 7th Street NW, Washington, DC 20001