eNews Header
2016 National RTAP Annual Photo Contest

The theme of our this year's photo contest is Rides to _________: What is public transit used for? Photos should reflect the ways that the public transit system is utilized in your community, including the following suggestions:
  • Rides to wellness/healthcare
  • Rides to work
  • Rides to school
  • Rides to shopping/groceries
  • Rides to recreation
  • Rides for socialization on the bus
The deadline is July 15, 2016. First prize is a digital camera and the runner up receives a gift check. To view photos from previous contests, visit our Facebook page!
Register for Upcoming Procurement 101 Webinar 

According to FTA's Office of Program Oversight, for the 2013-2015 Triennial Review cycle 2 in 3 reviews had a procurement finding. 

Register for National RTAP's 101 Webinar on June 15th 2:30-3:30pm ET, which will include a procurement overview by Ryan Hammon of FTA Region 8, as well as case studies and a quick ProcurementPRO refresher by Mike LaBello of Main Street Connections. 

Send any questions in advance to info@nationalrtap.org. Also, if you missed our recent Peer Call on Procurement for IT, the recording and slides are available on our website.
Federal Transit Administration and US DOT Updates

FTA recently published an Asset Management Guide for Small Providers, presenting a framework for transit asset management for small agencies and a template for a TAM plan. It describes assets, practices, and requirements applicable to small providers; allows for tailoring for exceptions and to incorporate state requirements; and offers strategies and tips for efficient operations and maintenance. 

FTA's Mobility on Demand Sandbox Demonstration Program Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for $8 million in funding is available. The deadline to apply is July 5.

Proposals for FTA's $5.3 million in Rides to Wellness Demonstration and Innovative Coordinated Access and Mobility Grants are due May 31. Proposers must be states, tribes, or designated/direct 5311, 5310, or 5307 recipients and must be the lead of a local consortium of stakeholders from transportation, healthcare, human service or other sectors. Read this FAQ for more.

FTA is seeking public comment on its initial inventory of public transportation safety standards and protocols. The feedback will enable FTA to gauge the utilization and applicability of the standards and protocols in the inventory. Deadline for comments is June 16.
Resources and News

Opportunities

The Coming Retirement Tsunami: Why Transit Agencies and the Public Sector Can No Longer Ignore Succession Planning. Register for this SURTC webinar on June 9 at 11:00am ET to learn about identifying, assessing, and developing talent within your agency. 

NTI is hosting a free webinar on TCRP Report 169: Developing Best-Practice Guidelines for Improving Bus Operator Health and Retention on June 7 at 2:00-3:00pm ET. 

FHWA announced the establishment of a negotiated rulemaking committee to develop a proposed rule for the Tribal Transportation Self-Governance Program, required by the FAST Act. Comments and nominations from tribes for the committee are due June 9.

Publications

TCRP has released a pre-publication version of Report 186: Economic Impact Case Study Tool for Transit. The report presents the results of a project aimed for a searchable, web-based database of public transit investment projects and their associated, transit-driven economic and land development outcomes.  

TRB has released a pre-publication, non-edited version of Report 832: State DOTs Connecting Specialized Transportation Users and Rides Volume 1: Research Report and Volume 2: Toolkit. The report has resources for connecting specialized transportation users with rides. The toolkit directs lead agencies and partners through the decision process and factors in budget limitations. 
May 26th, 2016
Events
CTAA
2016 Expo
May 22-27
Portland, OR

NTI
Transit Academy
June 6-10

FPTA/FDOT/CUTR
Professional Development Workshop
June 6-8

NTI
TCRP Report 169: Developing Best-Practice Guidelines for Improving Bus Operator Health and Retention
June 7
2:00-3:30pm

SURTC
The Coming Retirement Tsunami: Why Transit Agencies and the Public Sector Can No Longer Ignore Succession Planning
June 9
11:00am-1:00pm

NADO
National Regional Transportation Conference
June 13-15
Chattanooga, TN
Conference

National RTAP
Procurement 101
June 15
2:30-3:30pm

LTAP/TTAP
2016 National Conference
July 18-21
Madison, WI

CTAA
Small Urban Network (SUN) Conference 
Denver, CO
August 10-12
Conference

TRB
National Conference on Rural Public and Intercity Bus
October 2-5
Asheville, NC

For a listing of all National RTAP and other national events, view our Calendar. If you'd like to submit an event, please email info@nationalrtap.org.

All event times listed as Eastern Time
Resource Spotlight
Don't have your route and schedule data in GTFS?

Check out National RTAP's new Why GTFS? Technical Brief, or dive right in with our free GTFS Builder software!
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.

Contact us:
Main: 5 Wheeling Avenue, Woburn, MA 01801, 888-589-6821
Washington, D.C.: 50 F Street NW, Suite 7020, Washington, DC 20001

National RTAP | 5 Wheeling Avenue | Woburn | MA | 01801