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. |
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Apply for a National RTAP Community Rides Grant
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The new National RTAP Community Rides Grant Program offers current recipients and subrecipients of the Federal Transit Administration (FTA)'s Formula Grants for Rural Areas (Section 5311) program the opportunity to apply for grant awards of up to $100,000 for projects that develop or strengthen transportation partnerships that improve social determinants of health in rural and tribal communities. The project duration is fifteen (15) months. For detailed information and the application form questions, download the Request for Proposals (RFP) and the Budget Template (direct download available on the program web page). The application deadline is May 10, 2021 at 11:59 PM ET.
National RTAP is offering two webinars for interested applicants, in order to answer questions and provide an overview of the RFP and the online grant application system. Registration is required to attend. Register for the webinar on March 23, 2021 on Program Overview and Transportation Partnership Examples and April 15, 2021 on Project Development, Performance Measures, and Application Portal Overview (both take place at 2:00-3:00 PM ET). |
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National RTAP Find Anything Toolkit Updated |
National RTAP's Find Anything Toolkit was comprehensively updated in March 2021. The Toolkit is an easy-to-use guide designed to showcase the numerous free and low-cost resources available to rural and tribal transit providers and State DOT officials.
Updates include:
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Recording Available for National RTAP Webinar on Electronic Grant Management Systems
On March 4, 2021, we held an Electronic Grants Management webinar. The webinar demonstrated how 3 State DOTs use technology to manage grants. Procurement, customization, training, and compatibility with TrAMS were some topics discussed. View the webinar recording and presentation slides.
Celebrate Earth Day with a #ClimateTransit Twitter Chat
Our #ClimateTransit Twitter chat on April 20, 2021, from 2:00-3:00 PM ET, will discuss how climate change could impact rural communities and transit agencies. Learn how transit agencies can prepare for the potential effects of a changing climate and tackle emissions to mitigate potential climate impacts. The chat will be moderated by Josh Goldman, Associate Director, Climate Nexus. Panelists are Jimmy O’Dea, Senior Vehicles Analyst, Union of Concerned Scientists, and Camron Gorguinpour, Director of Sustainability Solutions, ENGIE Impact. RSVP for an invite.
We're Conferencing Again!
National RTAP staff are excited to begin presenting and exhibiting at in-person conferences again. We're exhibiting at the ALTRANS & Alabama Transit Association Conference at Gulf Shores, AL on April 28-April 30, 2021. Please stop by our table.
National RTAP Bloodborne Pathogens Topic Guide Updated
National RTAP continues our annual update of topic guides. Our Bloodborne Pathogens Topic Guide was updated in March 2021. The guide provides resources to help train drivers and other transit system personnel about the proper ways to handle these emergencies. New resources include:
Summary of Intercity Bus Roundtable Survey Published
A summary of the 2021 Intercity Bus Roundtable Survey Results has been posted. The top topics for future webinars or roundtables were an overview of the intercity bus network, state program development and management, and intercity bus services users and needs. |
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Upcoming Transit Manager's Peer Roundtable
Join National RTAP staff, Review Board members, and your peers on March 25, 2021, from 2:00-3:00 PM ET for a Transit Manager Peer Roundtable and discuss issues affecting your job, your agency, and your community. Topics may include COVID-related challenges, employee leave, Public Transit Agency Safety Plan (PTASP) development and implementation, Internet access issues on rural roads and workarounds, and planning for the new normal.
Webinar Recording Posted for Bus Driver Work Stations: How To Retain Drivers through Ergonomics
We posted the recording and presentation slides for Bus Driver Work Stations: How To Retain Drivers through Ergonomics, held on February 25, 2021. Brian Sherlock, a Safety Specialist with the Amalgamated Transit Union International, discussed options for ergonomic bus driver work stations that keep drivers healthy and on the job.
Cybersecurity 101 Webinar Summary and Q&A Posted
The summary and questions and answers for our Cybersecurity 101 webinar held on February 11, 2021 have been posted, Presenter David Javaheri of Direct IT provided an overview of cybercrime and ways to protect yourself and your organization. Topics covered included two-factor authentication, online payment systems, password managers, and more.
Recording Posted for An Inside Look at National RTAP
Books in Transit Discussion Group Ready to Begin
The National RTAP Books in Transit Discussion Group's first meeting will be held on August 18, 2021, 2:00-3:00 PM ET, to discuss John Steinbeck's novel The Wayward Bus. The book is about a group of people on a bus traveling through the backroads of the California countryside, each for different reasons and each with a different background. Participants may buy or borrow the book anytime before the meeting. Register for the meeting. |
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FTA updated its COVID-19 FAQs page on March 11, 2021. They updated their answer about project sponsors holding virtual public hearings to satisfy public involvement requirements during the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process and posted 10 new questions and answers about the CARES Act and CRRSAA funds (C37-C47).
FTA announced the availability of $180 million of Fiscal Year 2021 funds for the purchase or lease of low or no emission vehicles as well as related equipment or facilities and workforce development training. Proposals must be submitted by 11:59 PM Eastern Time on April 12, 2021.
FTA published a Federal Register Notice requesting comments on a new, mandatory reporting requirement for the Transit COVID-19 Recovery Program that begins April 1, 2021. Tribal transit agencies that submit reports to the National Transit Database (NTD) will report directly to the new application. State recipients of Section 5311 grants will report to the new application on behalf of their subrecipients. Stakeholders may provide comments by March 22, 2021 to [email protected]. |
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In addition to many upcoming Assault Awareness and Prevention for Transit Operators online courses, FTA and National Transit Institute provide a video recording of the course. The course provides transit drivers with prevention strategies necessary to reduce the likelihood of assault incidents. The course includes learning activities and scenarios focused on passenger mask-wearing.
The Transportation Learning Center presents three free distance-based courses to help transit bus technicians gain a fundamental understanding of battery electric bus (BEB) technology. Each section contains a presentation recording, slides and presenter's notes, tests, and test answers.
National Center for Mobility Management (NCMM) is holding a series of webinars on Mobilizing Transit and Public Health Partnerships for COVID-19 Vaccinations. The webinars feature practical examples of how public transit is collaborating with public health to ensure Americans have access to the COVID-19 vaccine. Upcoming sessions will be held on March 24, 2021 and April 7, 2021 (both at 12:00 PM ET).
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National Association of Development Organizations (NADO) published Software Supports Volunteer Transportation. The Volunteer Transportation Center Inc. (VTC) provides mobility services in two states using only volunteers. They created software that tracks origins, destinations, and times for the trips, volunteer availability, and assistive route design to coordinate trips and maximize efficiency.
The Inclusive Transit Planning Toolkit is a compilation of lessons learned from Hopelink and the King County Mobility Coalition’s participation in CTAA's Inclusive Planning Grant, and tips for how to bring the inclusive planning process into an organization. The Toolkit contains modules to start, design, implement, evaluate and sustain inclusive transit practices for passengers with disabilities and older adults.
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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides a Travel Planner. Users can enter a city, zip code, or address to learn more about COVID-19 travel restrictions, and guidance, and find resources in their destination.
The RUPRI Center for Rural Health Policy Analysis created an animated map that shows the progression of confirmed COVID-19 cases beginning March 26, 2020 to the present for rural and urban areas throughout the United States.
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The U.S. Access Board launched a Public Dialog for Inclusive Design of Autonomous Vehicles, in partnership with the Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP), the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Community Living, and other agencies to promote accessibility for people with disabilities in the design of autonomous vehicles (AVs). Participate in the dialog.
NADTC launched a national survey to gain information from diverse older adults, people with disabilities, and caregivers about their experiences with local transportation.
The National Association of Area Agencies on Aging (n4a) Aging Innovations & Achievement Awards recognize Area Agencies on Aging (AAA) and Title VI aging programs that exemplify innovation and sound management practices. Nominations are open through Friday, March 26, 2021.
The Partnership to Advance Youth Apprenticeship is conducting a 2021 Employer Training Survey, which aims to understand regional trends in employer-provided training, including their program structure and rationales, participant profiles, barriers to offering or expanding training, and the effects of COVID-19.
The EPA Environmental Justice Small Grants Program awards grants that support projects designed to engage, educate, and empower communities to better understand local environmental issues and develop strategies for addressing those issues, build consensus in the community, and set community priorities. The deadline is May 7, 2021.
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Statistics (CMS) is providing funding through the Community Health Access and Rural Transformation (CHART) Model for rural communities to build systems of care. Funding can address the challenges of limited transportation options in rural areas. Optional Letters of Intent are due by April 13, 2021 and applications for the Community Transformation Track are due by May 11, 2021.
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H.R.1319 - American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 became law on March 11, 2021. The legislation provides additional relief to address the continued impact of COVID-19 on the economy, public health, state and local governments, individuals, and businesses. The legislation includes:
- $50 billion for the Federal Emergency Management Agency to reimburse state, local, tribal, and territorial governments dealing with ongoing COVID-19 response and recovery activities
- $30.5 billion of emergency public transit funding for operating costs, including payroll and personal protective equipment purchases
- $317.2 million for formula grants to support rural transit, $100 million for intercity transportation, and funding for Tribal governments
- $7.25 billion for the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP)
- Up to $1,400 in direct stimulus funding per eligible individual
The U.S. Treasury Department and the IRS extended the deadline for filing individual federal taxes from April 15, 2021 to May 17, 2021. This relief does not apply to estimated tax payments that are due on April 15, 2021. Louisiana, Oklahoma and Texas have until June 15, 2021, to file various individual and business tax returns and make tax payments. |
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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 6 for Hawaii.
Move America
March 17-18
FTA
March 18, 1:00 PM
TRB
March 18, 2:00-4:00 PM
The National Indian Health Board (NIHB)
March 19, 3:00-4:30 PM
National Transit Institute
March 21, 2:00-5:30 PM
National Institute for Transportation and Communities
March 23, 1:00 PM
Transportation Learning Center
March 23, 1:00 PM
TRB
March 23, 1:00-2:30 PM
National Transit Institute
March 23, 2:00-3:30 PM
Tribal Injury Prevention Resource Center (TIPRC)
March 23, 2:00-3:00 PM
FTA
March 23, 3:00 PM
NCMM
Mar 24, 12:00 PM
U.S. DOT
March 24, 2:00 PM
Partners for Automated Vehicle Education (PAVE)
March 24, 2:00-2:30 PM
U.S. Access Board
March 24, 2:00-3:30
National Institute for Congestion Reduction (NICR)
March 25, 12:00-1:00 PM
ITS America, the Autonomous Vehicle Alliance (AVA), and AARP
March 25, 1:00–3:30 PM
National RTAP
March 25, 2:00-3:00 PM
Smart Growth America/National Complete Streets Coalition
March 25, 2:00-3:00 PM
FTA
March 25, 2:00 PM
Office of Minority Health
March 26, 12:00-3:00 PM
TRB
March 30, 1:00-2:30 PM
CTAA
March 30, 2:00 PM
International Safe Transit Association (ISTA)
March 30-31
Intelligent Transport
March 30-31
Cyber Security Hub
March 30-31
FTA
March 31, 1:00 PM
FTA
March 31, 2021 2:00-3:30 PM
Partners for Automated Vehicle Education (PAVE)
March 31, 2:00-2:30 PM
The ADA Guru
Introduction to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Webinar
April 5, 3:00 PM
GreenPlay Research, Education and Development for Health, Recreation and Land Agencies
(GP RED)
April 6-9
GoGreen
April 6, 12:00-9:00 PM
N-CATT
April 6, 1:00 PM
NCMM
April 7, 12:00 PM
U.S. Access Board
April 7, 2:00-3:30
Transportation for America
April 10
Moving Maine Network/MassMobility
April 13, 10:00-11:30 AM
Q'Straint Training Academy
April 13, 12:00-1:30 PM
FORTH
April 13, 1:00-2:00 PM
HIRTA Public Transit
April 14, 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
UMass Amherst Transportation Center
April 14-15
N-CATT
April 14, 2:00 PM
American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO)
April 19-22, 2021
National RTAP
April 20, 2:00-3:00 PM
California Association for Coordinated Transportation (CALACT)
April 20-22
National RTAP Resource Center Manager Cara Marcus will be presenting.
U.S. Access Board
April 21, 2:00–3:30 PM
U.S. Access Board
April 21, 2:00-3:30 PM
United Motorcoach Association
Orlando, FL, April 21-25
PTV Group
April 28
National RTAP Executive Director Robin Phillips will be presenting.
ALTRANS & Alabama Transit Association
Gulf Shores, AL, April 28-April 30
National RTAP staff will be there. Please stop by our table!
The ADA Guru
Introduction to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Webinar
May 3, 3:00 PM
FORTH
May 11, 1:00-2:00 PM
FTA
May 11-14
Center for Advancing Research in Transportation Emissions, Energy and Health (CARTEEH), Co-sponsored by Texas A&M Transportation Institute (TTI) and University of California, Riverside (UCR)
May 18-20
APTA
Washington, DC, May 18-21
Center for Transportation Studies at the University of Minnesota
May 19, 10:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Q'Straint/Sure-Lok
May 20, 12:00-1:30 PM
FORTH
May 25, 1:00-2:00 PM
American Bus Association (ABA)
Baltimore, MD, June 2-4
The ADA Guru
Introduction to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Webinar
June 7, 3:00 PM
Q'Straint/Sure-Lok
June 8, 12:00-1:30 PM
FORTH
June 14-16
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