What's New

• On September 12, 2024, FTA announced a Notice of Funding Opportunity soliciting proposals under FTA's Formula Grants to Rural Areas Program to select an organization to administer the National Rural Transit Assistance Program (NRTAP). The National RTAP will carry out activities to design and implement training and technical assistance projects and other support services tailored to meet the specific needs of transit operators in rural and tribal areas. Applications must be received by November 12, 2024.

Overview

FTA’s Technical Assistance and Workforce Development Program (49 U.S.C. § 5314) and the Public Transportation Innovation Program (49 U.S.C. § 5312) fund technical assistance, training, and research resource programs through national nonprofit organizations across a number of areas to improve public transportation. These nonprofit partners and the work they do play a critical role in supporting public transit agencies to:

• Improve accessibility and transportation for older adults and people with disabilities
• Drive the adoption of mobility management and related promising practices
• Accelerate innovative mobility practices and strategies
• Support rural communities
• Leverage new transit technologies
• Train the public transit workforce
• Provide workforce development technical assistance
• Support research projects selected by the transit industry that address day to day issues
• Support the transit industry meet safety regulation

National Center for Mobility Management (NCMM)

(866) 846-6400 | info@nc4mm.org

The National Center for Mobility Management (NCMM) supports FTA's Coordinating Council on Access and Mobility activities and is funded through a cooperative agreement with FTA. The Center works to help communities adopt transportation strategies and mobility options that empower people to live independently, and advance health, economic vitality and self-sufficiency. NCMM provides capacity-building technical assistance and training; catalogs and disseminates best practice information on innovative mobility management programs around the country; and works to improve and enhance the coordination of federal resources for human service transportation, especially for people with disabilities, older adults and people with lower incomes.

National Aging and Disability Transportation Center (NADTC)

(866) 983-3222 | contact@nadtc.org

The National Aging and Disability Transportation Center (NADTC) is a national technical assistance center funded by FTA with guidance from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Administration for Community Living to promote the availability and accessibility of transportation options that serve the needs of people with disabilities, seniors and caregivers with a focus on the Section 5310 program and other transit investments. NADTC supports the delivery of more effective, efficient, high-quality and coordinated specialized transportation services that maximize federal investments. NADTC provides technical assistance, information and referral; develops field training; implements interactive communication and outreach strategies; and supports communities in assessing their needs and developing innovative transportation solutions.

Accelerating Innovative Mobility National Network (AIM-NNet) 

(312) 448-8083 | info@sharedusemobilitycenter.org

The Accelerating Innovative Mobility National Network (AIM-NNet), also known as Mobility Innovation Collaborative (MIC), is a partnership between the Shared Use Mobility Center (SUMC) and FTA. AIM-NNet supports FTA’s Mobility Innovation programs by providing a comprehensive suite of technical assistance and knowledge sharing activities that spread the benefits of innovation in mobility to communities around the country. AIM-NNet supports public transportation agencies, communities and regions in the development, selection, deployment and oversight of innovative service delivery models, creative financing, novel partnerships, and integrated payment solutions. AIM-NNet technical assistance offers valuable resources and information exchange to recipients of FTA Research funding, as well as others advancing Mobility Innovation in their communities.

National Center for Applied Transit Technology (N-CATT)

(202) 415-9688 | carpenter@ctaa.org

The National Center for Applied Transit Technology (N-CATT) delivers expert, focused technical assistance to transit agencies and organizations in rural areas and small cities to use or develop transit technologies and innovations that make services more cost-effective and efficient. N-CATT’s work supports FTA’s mission and focus on innovation by developing and supporting transit programs and services in rural and small-city America.

National Rural Transportation Assistance Program (National RTAP)

(888) 589-6821 | info@nationalrtap.org

The National Rural Transportation Assistance Program (RTAP) was established by FTA in 1987 to provide a wide range of professional services and products. National RTAP addresses the training and technical assistance needs of rural and tribal transit programs across the nation and supports state RTAP programs. National RTAP provides comprehensive free technical assistance programs and resources including training materials, webinars, newsletters and technical briefs, peer resources, research, and innovative technology initiatives. The National RTAP also manages the Transportation Technical Assistance Coordination Library (TACL), which provides a sustainable methodology and platform to access resources across a diverse range of transportation technical assistance centers and FTA.

National Transit Institute (NTI)

(848) 932-1700| nti_info@nti.rutgers.edu 

The National Transit Institute (NTI) at Rutgers University conducts trainings and educational programs related to public transportation. Funded by FTA, NTI’s mission is to develop, promote, and provide training, and education programs in support of public transportation and quality of life in the United States. Training is available to public transportation agencies, metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs), State Departments of Transportation, and other agencies providing transportation services.

Transit Workforce Development Technical Assistance Center (TWC)

(855) 888-6892 | twc@transportcenter.org

The Transit Workforce Development Technical Assistance Center (TWC) was created by FTA in September 2021 to support public transit agencies’ workforce development needs for all modes and in communities of varying sizes, including urban, tribal, and rural entities. The center helps transit agencies recruit, hire, train, and retain the diverse workforce needed now and in the future. Main initiatives include 1) conducting technical assistance activities within and for transit agencies that promote more effective and efficient training of frontline workers involved in public transportation maintenance and operations; and 2) implementing technical assistance activities through collaborative partnerships between transit agency management and labor, including apprenticeships. Overall, the center is providing opportunities to address social inequities that exist in the transit industry and creating diversity within and among the transit workforce.

Transit Cooperative Research Program (TCRP)

(202) 334-3246 | gsmith@nas.edu

The Transit Cooperative Research Program (TCRP) is sponsored by FTA and serves as one of the principal means by which the public transportation industry develops innovative near-term solutions to meet demands placed on it. TCRP provides useful reports and other tools to help public transportation practitioners solve problems and inform decision makers.

Public Transportation Agency Safety Plan (PTASP) Technical Assistance Center (TAC)

(877) 827-7243 | PTASP-TAC@dot.gov

The Public Transportation Agency Safety Plan (PTASP) Technical Assistance Center (TAC) provides a comprehensive technical assistance to help the transit industry meet PTASP regulation requirements at 49 C.F.R. Part 673. TAC provides one-on-one technical assistance, facilitates training and peer-sharing via live webinars and roundtables, conducts voluntary technical reviews of draft Agency Safety Plans, and maintains a resource library with technical assistance tools.

Multi-State Technical Assistance Program

202-624-5800 | info@aashto.org

The Multi-State Technical Assistance Program (MTAP), administered by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO), provides a forum through which state-level public transportation agencies can communicate with each other about federal transit regulations, grant program management, and technical issues pertaining to everyday administration of public transportation service. MTAP was developed to benefit the member states as well as their Federal program counterparts and local transit operators. Networking among the States is conducted through two annual meetings, peer-to-peer assistance, conference calls, and electronic communication.

Visit the Coordinating Council on Access and Mobility (CCAM) webpage for FTA-Sponsored CCAM technical assistance centers.

Transportation Technical Assistance Coordination Library

The Transportation Technical Assistance Coordination Library provides a sustainable methodology and platform to access resources through transportation technical assistance centers and FTA. Participating FTA-funded technical assistance centers include:

• National Aging and Disability Transportation Center (NADTC)
• National Center for Applied Transit Technology (N-CATT)
• National Center for Mobility Management (NCMM)
• National Rural Transit Assistance Program (National RTAP)
• Shared-Use Mobility Center (SUMC)
• Transit Workforce Development Technical Assistance Center (TWC)