November 2023

NEWS TO KNOW

Drug and Alcohol Management Information System (DMIS) Reporting Changes

On Jan. 1, 2024, DOT’s Drug and Alcohol Management Information System (MIS) will be utilizing Login.gov to access the DOT’s drug and alcohol MIS. For more information, please see: Change is Coming to How Users Access the DOT’s Drug and Alcohol Management Information System (MIS) (govdelivery.com). As the reporting timeframe gets closer, MoDOT will provide login information to the individuals this change is applicable to.

Agreements/Access Codes

It is agreement season. Please remember that agency-assigned access codes used in DocuSign never change, regardless of program.

2024 Federal Transit Program Workshops - Registration Opens on Dec. 26, 2023

It is that time again for MoDOT’s annual required training!

As you know, when an agency accepts Federal Transit Administration (FTA) assistance under a transit grant from the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) to fund capital projects such as a bus/van or for public transit operating assistance, there are grant contract terms and conditions (federal requirements) that continue for the life of the project. FTA requires MoDOT to ensure compliance with these requirements. Therefore, MoDOT will be holding its annual subrecipient workshop the week of Feb. 5, 2024 in Jefferson City.

WHY ATTEND?

This year, we want to welcome you all home to our headquarters location to hear what’s new in our transit and oversight program.

Come hear about MoDOT’s expectations promulgated by the new Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) passed by Congress in 2021 and the impact on your transit program.
Come meet your MoDOT Transit team that work with you on a daily basis to navigate your transit program needs.
For agencies scheduled for a comprehensive oversight review, come meet your review team and get priority selection for your review date.

WHEN AND WHERE TO ATTEND?

All workshops will be held in Jefferson City, the week of Feb. 5, 2024. There will be five opportunities to attend the workshop. Select only one day to attend.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND?

Each agency will be restricted to two attendees. When determining who will represent your agency, please ensure that the individual has responsibility for administering your transit program. For example:

Individual is responsible for managing the transportation program.
Individual has regular interaction with the MoDOT program manager.
Individual files required reimbursement requests and/or program reports with MoDOT.
Individual administers program requirements, such as drug and alcohol compliance.

If you are unsure of who should attend, please contact your MoDOT program manager for assistance.

We look forward to seeing you in February!

FEDERAL ACTIONS & UPDATES

USDOT Thriving Communities Program (TCP) – The FY23 TCP offers application opportunities through a Letter of Interest and a Notice of Funding Opportunity.

NOFO – Nov. 28 deadline. TCP funds organizations ("Capacity Builders") to provide support to disadvantaged and under-resourced communities, enabling them to advance transportation projects.

FTA Rail Vehicle Replacement Program – Dec. 18 deadline. About $197 million is made available this year to replace aging railcars improving reliability, safety and accessibility on the nation’s rail transit systems.

FTA Accelerating Advanced Digital Construction Management Systems (ADCMS) Program – Feb. 12, 2024, deadline. About $5.1 million is made available for an organization to promote digitally based systems that integrate every step of a capital project – from planning through asset management – to ensure projects stay on schedule and on budget.

FTA Innovative Coordinated Access and Mobility (ICAM) Grants – Feb. 13, 2024, deadline. About $4.7 million is made available for projects that improve access to vital services for older adults and people with disabilities, and in low-income communities. FTA will hold a NOFO webinar on Dec. 14, 3p.m. ET – registration to be opened.

EPA Climate Pollution Reduction Grants Program – April 1, 2024, deadline. EPA announced a $4.6 billion competitive grant program to address GHG emission reduction strategies. GHG reduction strategies through transit measures are eligible for funding in this program. The full NOFO and guidance can be downloaded as a PDF on grants.gov. Page 9 of the NOFO includes an illustrative list of example eligible measures from the transportation sector, many of which involve transit.

NOFO: GHG reduction measure examples:

Electrification requirements for state transit equipment fleets.
Policies to expand transit use such as van-pool programs, ridesharing and transit fare subsidies.
New or expanded transportation infrastructure projects to facilitate public transit.

FTA PROPOSED RULES SEEKING COMMENT

FTA currently has published two proposed rules seeking public comment:

NPRM: Public Transportation Safety Certification Training Program (PTSCTP) – response deadline is Dec. 26. FTA proposes changes to requirements for the PTSCTP for rail transit agency safety professionals to add administrative requirements for recipients subject to SSO training requirements. The intent is to streamline communication processes and clarify voluntary PTSCTP participation and refresher training requirements. FTA’s Nov. 8 NPRM webinar recording and presentation are now available.
ANPRM: Transit Worker Hours of Service and Fatigue Risk Management – response deadline Dec. 29. FTA is considering proposing minimum safety standards to provide protections for transit workers to reduce fatigue-related safety incidents. FTA seeks input on hours of service and fatigue risk management programs. Virtual Listening Session to be held on Dec. 5 at 2:30 p.m. ET – register here.
New NPRM: State Safety Oversight revisions – response deadline is Jan. 16. FTA proposes revisions to the State Safety Oversight (SS) regulation to implement new requirements of the IIJA, remove outdated references and simplify notification requirements.