6th National RTAP Conference in Austin, TX

The National Rural Transit Assistance Program (National RTAP)  invites you to participate in the 6th National RTAP Conference, Wrangling Access and Mobility in Rural and Tribal Transit, to be held December 7-10, 2025, in Austin, TX at the Hyatt Regency Austin, 208 Barton Springs Rd, Austin, TX 78704.  The Transportation Research Board (TRB) is the conference co-sponsor.

The National RTAP conference in Austin will provide targeted rural and Tribal training and technical assistance; attendance is an eligible state RTAP expense. The National RTAP conference includes training to build compliance and program implementation capacity in state program staff and rural and Tribal transit agencies.

The Early Bird Deadline has been extended to

October 31, 2025.

View the Schedule at a Glance. View the full Agenda and Register.  Once you register for the conference, you will have the option in the registration form to reserve a room at the Hyatt Regency Austin through our room block.  See  below for other hotel options.

A detailed agenda with the names of the presenters is coming soon!

Lillian Karabaic will deliver the keynote presentation at our conference. She is the host of Oregon Public Broadcasting's Weekend Edition and also hosted Stop Requested, a series about traveling around Oregon on Public Transit.

We have provided a conference justification letter that you are welcome to use to share if you need approval.

Five Topical Conference Tracks, plus preconference/conference workshops

• Administration and Compliance
• Coordination and Planning
• Operations and Technology
• Training and Guidance
• Innovations and Research
• Workshops
• Grant Writing
• Financial Management
• Planning
• Others
  

Relevant Perspectives

• Rural public transit
• Intercity bus
• Tribal transit
• Mobility management
• Infrastructure
• Marketing
• Compliance
• Coordination
• Technology
• Veterans
• Etc.
  

2025 National RTAP Walk of Fame

The National RTAP Walk of Fame will be exhibited at our 6th National RTAP Technical Assistance Conference.  The Walk of Fame is an event that recognizes exemplary staff in the rural and Tribal transit industry for their dedication, innovation, customer service, and professionalism. Each honoree will be showcased on a special Walk of Fame tile, highlighted in a National RTAP YouTube video, and receive a commendation. Honorees that attend the conference will also receive an additional award.

2025 Walk of Fame Awardees:

• Apache Transit Team of the San Carlos Apache Tribe
• John Burkitt, Gate City Bike Coop 
• Juan Diego Cabrera, Transit Operator, Transit CMNI, Commonwealth Office of Transit Authority
• Sunny Cochran, Controller, Resource Management Systems, Inc. (RMS)
• John Dlg. Demapan, Marketing Specialist, Transit CMNI, Commonwealth Office of Transit Authority
• Calvin M. Glover, Regional Mobility Manager, Aaron E. Henry Community Health Center/DARTS Transportation
• Stone Pinson, Chief Operating Officer, Resource Management Systems, Inc. (RMS)
• Miranda Sadler, Assistant Regional Manager, Resource Management Systems, Inc. (RMS)
• Natalie Woods-Goertzen, Assistant Director, Reno County Area Transit (RCAT)