National RTAP

Al Benedict Bio

Technology Tools Lead

albenedict@nationalrtap.org

National RTAP
5 Wheeling Avenue
Woburn, MA 01801
888-589-6821

Al Benedict joined the National Rural Transit Assistance Program (National RTAP) team as the Technology Tools Lead and the Community Rides Grant Manager in 2025. As the Technology Tools Lead, Al works to understand the transit and technology needs for rural and Tribal agencies to help identify right size solutions and implementation frameworks. This work centers on National RTAP’s technology tools and identifying and developing new resources to support rural and Tribal transit. Al also oversees the Community Rides Grant program, which is aimed at building and strengthening local transportation partnerships and the capacity of rural transit programs, increasing access to critical needs like employment, healthcare, education, healthy food, social services, or recreation. Prior to National RTAP, Al worked at the Center for Neighborhood Technology performing market and spatial analysis, and most recently for the Shared-Use Mobility Center (SUMC). In his role at SUMC, Al led the knowledge-sharing and resource development in coordination with the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) mobility innovation team to support the development of public transportation technologies and transportation service models.

Al's Team Spotlight Article

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National RTAP offers one-stop shopping for rural and tribal transit technical assistance products and services. Call, email, or chat with us and if we can’t help with your request, we’ll connect you with someone who can!

" National RTAP offers one-stop shopping for rural and tribal transit technical assistance products and services. Call, email, or chat with us and if we can’t help with your request, we’ll connect you with someone who can! "

Robin Phillips, Executive Director
" You go above and beyond and I wanted to let you know that I appreciate it so much and always enjoy my time with you. The presentations give me so much to bring back to my agency and my subrecipients. "

Amy Rast, Public Transit Coordinator Vermont Agency of Transportation (VTrans)
" I always used the CASE (Copy And Steal Everything) method to develop training materials until I discovered RTAP. They give it to you for free. Use it! "

John Filippone, former National RTAP Review Board Chair
" National RTAP provides an essential service to rural and small transit agencies. The products are provided at no cost and help agencies maximize their resources and ensure that their employees are trained in all aspects of passenger service. "

Dan Harrigan, Former National RTAP Review Board Chair
" We were able to deploy online trip planning for Glasgow Transit in less than
90 days using GTFS Builder. Trip planning information displays in a riders'
native language, which supports gencies in travel training and meeting Title VI
mandates. "

Tyler Graham, Regional Transportation Planner Barren River Area Development District
Slide title

" Having a tool like GTFS Builder is really light years ahead of what it used to be at one time in terms of how fast you can put everything together. Our university students really can't imagine transit without it, so I think it's very important for us in terms of attracting that particular demographic. "

Michael Lachman, Transportation Services Manager HAPCAP - Athens Transit
Slide title

" In the past we used proprietary database software that was very challenging, very murky, and hard to update. GTFS Builder is a great opportunity to make this more user-friendly, more readily updatable and it
would enable us to show how to create a GTFS to more of the staff. "

Jaime McKay, Former Manager of Direct Services Center for Mobility Equity
Slide title

" Collaboration is a buzz word these days in the industry. On behalf of our Tribal segment, I appreciate RTAP for making Tribes a partner in industry opportunities. The organization goes over and beyond reaching partners one would not expect in a busy industry such as public transportation. Thank you for your tireless efforts! "

Franklin Akoneto, Comanche Nation
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"We are so very thankful for all your transportation training materials. Your resources are as valuable as gold!"

Holly Walton, Transportation Assistant Manager, Curative Connections

A program of the Federal Transit Administration administered by the Neponset Valley TMA

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