The Federal Transit Administration has released the final version of the Formula Grants for Rural Areas, Section 5311 Circular. For the Federal Register notice, which lists comments and changes to each section, please click here. The Section 5311 Program provides formula funds to states and federally-recognized tribes to support public transportation in rural areas (population of less than 50,000). The funds can be used for capital and planning projects, job access and reverse commute projects, operating assistance and administration costs. 

MAP-21 expanded eligible activities and set-asides for the Appalachian Development Public Transportation Assistance Program (ADPTAP), the Rural Transit Assistance Program (RTAP), and the Tribal Transit Program. 

Although not much changed in the final circular, some overall updates and clarifications to the program include:

• Program Goals: providing funds for mobility management projects, including individuals with disabilities, older adults, and low-income individuals; increasing transportation options through intercity bus and; encouraging mobility management, job-related transportation, joint development, and transit-oriented development.
• Programs formerly under Job Access and Reverse Commute continue to be considered job access and reverse commute maintenance projects under 5311.
• Non-profit organizations are eligible subrecipients for 5311.
• Section 5310 funds are no longer eligible to be transferred to Section 5311. 
• New chapter on the Tribal Transit Program
• New chapter on the Appalachian Development Public Transportation Assistance Program

 

Notice of Funding Availability for the Innovative Public Transportation Workforce Development Program (Ladders of Opportunity). Proposals due on December 23rd for initiatives promoting employment transportation. 

 

Private Sector Participation in Public Transportation Online Dialogue open until November 26th. 

 

Bus Ladders of Opportunity Initiative Project Selections announced.

 

In partnership with the National Center on Senior Transportation (NCST), FTA announces the availability of a new Ladders of Opportunity Grant Program: Connecting Seniors to Public Transportation. Proposals are Due November 7, 2014.

 

Annual certs and assurances released for FTA grants and cooperative agreements.

 

FTA is sponsoring a new transit career website, connecting job seekers to information, training and careers in the transit industry. 

 

TCRP Research Results Digest 109: Impact of the Affordable Care Act on Non-Emergency Medical Transportation (NEMT): Assessment for Transit Agencies addresses the regulation's impact on a state-by-state level. 

A new report from the Small Urban and Rural Transportation Center (SURTC) highlights a model for evaluating the effectiveness of mobility management and coordination programs. 

The Community Transportation Association of America has launched a new site for the Resource Innovation Medical Mobility Services (RIMMS), a resource center for NEMT. 

The National Center for Mobility Management has many new resources for viewing best practices in mobility management from across the US. Share and search them here. 

The National Transit Institute is offering direct delivery and train-the-trainer classes on Infectious Disease Awareness and Prevention. 

MAP-21: The New 5310 Program webinar recording from the National Center on Senior Transportation, October 8th. 

METRO Magazine has published an article on public-private partnerships expanding transit options across the US. 

Best practices for reducing bus fire risk from METRO Magazine. 

METRO Magazine blog posts on training new hires who come with experience and on transit emergency planning.