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FTA Final Rules on Environmental Impact, Updates to Charter Bus Regulations Page

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has released its Final Rule on Environmental Impacts and Related Procedures, as well as an amendment to the rule. Revisions include new categorical exclusions and an expansion of public involvement methods for the review process. A webinar about the new Final Rule was given on Tuesday, February 19th, and a recording will be made available on this page. 

FTA has also posted new information on the Charter Bus Regulations page, including a Demand Response Service Fact Sheet and an explanation of the 5311 program as it relates to charter buses. 
TCRP Releases Paratransit Emergency Preparedness and Operations Handbook
 
TCRP Report 160: Paratransit Emergency Preparedness and Operations Handbook presents guidance, strategies, tools and resources to paratransit service providers in order to help them deal with a range of emergencies. Rural and Tribal paratransit operators are a target audience for this report, as well as in-house and contracted programs. Read the report in the National RTAP Resource Library. 
Transit Planning 4 All Seeks Applications for Inclusive Planning Projects Program
 
The Community Transportation Association of America (CTAA), along with several other federal and national partners, is seeking applicants for one of 20 grants of up to $20,000 in its inclusive planning projects program. For a six-month period, these funds will assist with the documentation, further development, and replication of models that involve seniors and people with disabilities in planning, designing, and implementing coordinated transportation systems or processes. Successful projects will be those that are able to be replicated in other communities. 

All grant applications must be submitted by email to transitplanning4all@ctaa.org by 11:59PM ET on March 20, 2013. A teleconference for interested applicants will be held on March 5, 2013 at 2PM ET. Call in number: 800-245-1683. Pass code: 267438. 
National Rural Transportation Conference

The 2013 National Rural Transportation Conference in Greenville, SC is currently accepting presentation abstracts. The April 24-26 conference draws the transportation planning community, and organizers are seeking proposals especially from "individuals affiliated with regional planning or economic development organizations or regional transportation planning organizations (RTPOs)" and other related professionals. 
USDA Long-Term Rural and Tribal Projects Applications
 
The Community Transportation Association of America (CTAA) is still accepting applications for a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) technical assistance funding program. Long-term rural and Tribal projects are eligible to receive free technical assistance from CTAA. Projects include those that develop communities, improve, or expand transit facilities or services. Funding is not provided. Potential projects will be judged based on several factors, including number of potential jobs to be created, community support, and potential for replication elsewhere. Applications are due by February 28th, 2013. For more information or to apply, visit CTAA's RPTAP and TPTAP pages. 
National RTAP Accepting Submissions for 2013 Photo Contest, "Putting Training to Work" 

Submit your photos today for National RTAP's 2013 Photo Contest, "Putting Training to Work!" To read the contest rules and download the consent forms needed with every photo submission, please view the press release on our home page. Questions can be directed to Jess Wallis at info@nationalrtap.org, or 888-589-6821. 
February 21, 2013
Events
Transportation for America 
How to Use the 2012 Federal Transportation Bill to Strengthen Rural Economies
February 27, 1-2PM

ESPA 
Transit Call Centers: A Front Line in Customer Service
March 27, 2-3:30PM

ESPA 
Frequently Asked Questions on the ADA: Fixed Route and Paratransit
April 10, 2-3:30PM
 
For a listing of all National RTAP and other national events, view our new EventShare Calendar!

All event times listed as Eastern Time
Resource Spotlight
National RTAP Invites You to Use Our Free Web Apps

With a collection of free web apps that will fulfill many of your transit organization's needs, National RTAP invites you to try our suite of web-based software. From a tool that will help you create a website that is hosted by National RTAP to an app that cuts the time it takes to find the federal clauses and certifications, there is a range of tools at your fingertips. 

For more information about all of our web apps, visit the Web Apps page, or the individual app pages:
 
A web-based calendar.
 
Online resource sharing.
 
Get federal clauses and certifications for procurement projects.
 
Build a website that is hosted by National RTAP.
 
Input GTFS data into a spreadsheet to upload to Google Transit.
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.