August 2024

News to Know

FY25 Missouri Elderly and Handicapped Transportation Assistance Program (MEHTAP) Webinars

MoDOT-Transit will be holding its annual fiscal year MEHTAP webinars on Wednesday, Sept. 11 from 9:00 – 10:00 a.m. and Tuesday, Sept. 17 from 9:00 – 10:00 a.m. This webinar will give an overview on the MEHTAP program/reimbursement process and discuss any changes for FY25. ONLY transit agencies that received a MEHTAP award in FY25 need to attend. Both webinars will cover the same content, so attendance at only one webinar is required. Links to the webinars will be sent out via email to the agency contact in the coming weeks.

Section 5310 Subrecipients

FMCSA Drug and Alcohol Virtual Training – Part 382 is on Sept. 17 - Click to enroll. Enrolled attendees, use this link to access the webinar - Section 5310 transit agencies that have vehicles that are 16 passengers or more (including the driver) can attend this training.

Missouri Mobility Management 2024 Virtual Summit is on Wednesday, Sept. 25 from 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m via Zoom. Register for free at this link.

Agreements/Access Codes:

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

Federal Fiscal Year End Shutdown – Invoice/Reimbursement Request Deadline

The federal fiscal year 2023 will be shutting down around Oct. 1. All FEDERAL invoices and reimbursement request submitted through MoDOT for payment must be submitted by Sept. 9 to ensure processing. After this date, payments will be on hold until the federal financial system becomes available mid-October.

FTA Section 5310 Rural/Small Urban and 5311 Rural Applications

Currently, there is no federal funding application available for the Section 5310 and 5311 programs. When applications become available, a notice will be posted in this newsletter and on our website at Transit Applications and Reporting.

Safety Spotlight

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) published the first major update to the Public Transportation Agency Safety Plans (PTASP) regulation, which incorporates Bipartisan Infrastructure Law requirements to make transit safer for both transit workers and passengers. Concurrently, FTA published updates to the National Safety Plan, which is FTA’s primary guidance document to improve transit safety performance for systems that receive FTA funding. The webinar will provide an overview of key changes to the PTASP regulation and the National Safety Plan, explain how PTASP requirements and the National Safety Plan correspond to each other and answer pre-submitted questions.

The updates incorporate Bipartisan Infrastructure Law requirements and include voluntary minimum safety standards and recommended practices for improving public transportation safety.

Traveler Information Map now on mobile browsers

Accessing travel information before starting your trip has become easier and more convenient. MoDOT's Traveler Information Map is now accessible through mobile internet browsers. The update allows the map to be displayed on mobile devices without having to download the Traveler Information Map App through the Apple Store or Google Play. Learn more.

Federal Actions & Updates

Notice of Funding Opportunities (NOFO)

FTA Enhancing Mobility Innovation – Aug. 30 deadline. About $1.9 million is available to support projects that enhance mobility innovations for transit in two areas: concept development/demonstration projects to enhance mobility, and software solutions for demand responsive services. Register here for a NOFO webinar on Aug. 1 at 2:00 p.m.

FHWA Culverts AOP Grant Program – Sept. 23 deadline. FTA, FHWA and FRA jointly administer up to $784 million to improve anadromous fish passage by mitigating Aquatic Organism Passage (AOP) barriers posed by transportation-related facilities such as culverts. Register here for a NOFO webinar on July 15 at 12:00 p.m.

FTA Drug and Alcohol Regulation Updates: July 2024

FTA’s Drug and Alcohol Program has the authority and responsibility for issuing regulations to combat prohibited drug use and alcohol misuse in the transportation industry. The program issues a quarterly newsletter with updates on important topics for the industry. You can read the July 2024 Drug & Alcohol Regulation Update newsletter here.

The U.S. DOT published a new English/Spanish Combating Human Trafficking in the Transportation Sector Awareness Training for riders and transportation staff that provides general and transportation-specific indicators of human trafficking and how to report a tip.

Upcoming Webinars & Trainings

National RTAP Webinar: Alternative Fuels and Clean Cities and Communities

July 31, 1:00 - 2:00 p.m.| Register Here

FTA Webinar: Enhancing Mobility Innovation Competitive Funding Opportunity

Aug. 1, 2:00 - 3:00 p.m.| Register Here

NTI Self-Paced Course: National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) 101 Online

Self-Paced | Register Here

The FTA, in partnership with the National Transit Institute, is happy to announce that this year’s set of National Transit Database (NTD) courses and webinars are now open for registration. The courses, which will be conducted in person and virtually, provide comprehensive, step-by-step training on completing the NTD's annual safety and security reports. The 90-minute webinars are more specific, focusing primarily on annual reporting for stakeholders. All webinars will be held online, and recordings will be available on FTA’s website.

Transit Trivia Time!

What is the average speed that most cars travel on interstate highways during peak morning and afternoon rush hour?

A. 30 miles per hour

B. 35 miles per hour

C. 40 miles per hour

Answer is below 'Upcoming Conferences' section

Upcoming Reporting

November

NTD Reporting (Section 5311)

November

DBE Reporting for period of April-September 2024 (Section 5311)

January 2025

2024 Title VI Survey (all programs)

Upcoming Conferences

2024 MPTA Conference

Sept. 3-5

St. Louis

D&A Training for 5311s on the afternoon of Tuesday, Sept. 3

National Transit Database: Urban Reporting

Oct. 7-8, 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Memphis Area Transit Authority, Memphis, TN

Making Connections 2024 – The National Transit Workforce Conference (MC24)

Nov. 11-13

Baltimore, MD

Trivia Answer: B. 35 miles per hour

We want to hear from you!

MoDOT’s InTransit Newsletter is an opportunity for transit agencies funded through MoDOT to recognize the awesome things that are happening in their organizations. If you would like to submit what your agency is doing, whether it’s about your service or highlighting a transit employee, please have those submission submitted to Nicholas.volkart@modot.mo.gov.