Call for Collaboration: National RTAP Rural Travel Training Program Guide Workgroup

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Call for Collaboration: National RTAP Rural Travel Training Program Guide Workgroup

Cara Marcus • November 20, 2025

We Welcome Your Participation in our New Rural Travel Training Program Guide Workgroup

National RTAP invites DOT staff, mobility managers, transit coordinators, and transportation professionals to join a collaborative work group to develop a Rural Travel Training 101 Manual, a National RTAP–aligned resource designed to strengthen rural mobility, access, and independence. This practical guide will provide step-by-step tools for teaching individuals in rural areas how to confidently and safely use public transportation—covering topics such as assessing rider needs, planning trips, understanding schedules, and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) rights.

By contributing to this effort, participants will help create a comprehensive, inclusive framework that expands access to essential services, reduces isolation, and empowers rural residents while enhancing the capacity of local transit systems nationwide.

Submission Deadline: December 1, 2025

Workgroup Participation Confirmations: Sent by December 2, 2025

If you are interested in contributing to this important initiative, we welcome your participation. Please fill out this form or scan the QR Code below.

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
Slide title

"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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