The following organizations provide best practices and information about rural and tribal transit at a very broad and sweeping level:
American Public Transportation Association (APTA) provides resources about public transportation topics
Community Transportation Association of America (CTAA) provides best practices for many aspects of transportation
Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) publishes reports pertaining to transit and safety
Federal Transit Administration publishes regulations, circulars, guidance, and reports for the transit industry
National Alliance of Public Transportation Advocates (NAPTA) links local transit coalitions with new advocacy tools and resources
National Association of Development Organizations (NADO) has resources about rural transportation development
National Center for Applied Transit Technology (N-CATT) provides transit agencies with practical, replicable resources that help them apply technological solutions and innovations
National Transit Institute (NTI) provides educational in-person and online training sessions on many transit topics
Shared Use Mobility Center (SUMC) shares impactful news, thought-provoking articles, and innovative technologies
Transit Cooperative Research Program (TCRP) publishes reports, syntheses of current practice, and many other resources
Transportation Research Board (TRB) publishes research and best practices reports for its various programs, including the National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) and TCRP, as well as conference proceedings and syntheses
Banks, foundations and local governments may have funding available for transit, either as grants or tax revenue opportunities. Human service agencies such as United Way may have funding opportunities. They also may provide unique opportunities to partner with transit agencies, therefore extending access to many more grant opportunities surrounding mobility management and human service transportation. Other local groups, such as faith-based organizations, may be able to provide financial backing to transit agencies, particularly as part of a partnership. Chambers of Commerce, local business groups, and travel/tourism centers are other places to look for funds. State Transit Associations sometimes have funding opportunities for members. For additional transportation-related grant resources, contact your state RTAP program, who may even have state-specific information that will help hone the search for grants.
This section lists resources that provide information about funding, funding sources and writing grant applications.
Community Transportation Association of America (CTAA) grant programs
Cigna Foundation World of Difference Grants help people overcome barriers to their health and well-being
The Community Heart & Soul Seed Grant Program provides startup funding for resident-driven groups in small cities and towns to implement the Community Heart & Soul model
The Council on Foundations Foundation Locator is an interactive map of U.S. foundations that provide funding
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) sometimes offers grants for transit related to environmental initiatives
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) provides funding through their Transit Security Grant Program
Federal Transit Administration (FTA) distributes formula and discretionary funding to states, tribes, and non-profit organizations through various funding programs. Find more information about FTA’s funding programs, or contact your state RTAP/5311 Program Manager or FTA Regional Office.
GrantWatch lists grants for organizations to provide transportation to individuals in rural areas
Grants.gov displays all federal grants and allows users to apply to them (it's required to use this database to apply for federal grants)
Grantsmanship Center provides general resources on grantmaking, grants available, consulting, and resources by state
Housing and Urban Development (HUD) provides grants that may include a component for transportation improvement
National Aging and Disability Transportation Center (NADTC) provides funding and resources for older adults and mobility
National Center for Mobility Management (NCMM) has a grants web page that lists their own and other mobility related grants
National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) Survey of State Funding for Public Transportation
Rural Health Information Hub (RHIHub) lists transportation to support rural healthcare funding
The Universal Service Administrative Company Healthcare Connect Fund Program provides discounts on eligible broadband connectivity expenses.
USDA Rural Development provides grant assistance to rural communities, including some that may apply to the development of rural transit.
U.S. DOT grants web page
These resources can help transit agencies with their human resources and personnel related information needs.
APTA's Supporting Late-Shift Workers: Their Transportation Needs and the Economy
Attracting and Retaining Women in the Transportation Industry, a study by the Mineta Transportation Institute
Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) compiles data and publishes reports about Transit and Ground Passenger Transportation
National RTAP's Applying Good Business Practices: Hiring, Training and Evaluating Employees, Developing & Maintaining a Transit System Personnel Policy, and Developing Effective Policies and Procedures
NCHRP's Transportation Workforce Planning and Development Strategies
Public Transportation Occupational Guidebook, commissioned by the FTA, contains job descriptions for all aspects of a public transportation agency
SURCOM's Onboarding HR Training Short
Human service organizations often provide transportation to their clients. These organizations provide human service transportation best practice resources.
Community Transportation Association of America's (CTAA) Health Care and Transportation program
FTA Coordinating Council on Access and Mobility (CCAM) provides best practices for human service organizations at the state and community levels.
National Conference on State Legislatures (NCSL) provides resources, reports and interactive databases on human services transportation coordination.
Best practices and information about transportation for older adults can be found at these organizations.
Administration for Community Living (ACL) provides a web page that describes initiatives stemming from their Strengthening Coordinated Transportation Systems for People with Disabilities and Older Adults Research & Demonstration Program.
American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) has pages on Liveable Communities and Transportation with extensive resources for older people, including newsletters, fact sheets and interactive tools
Grantmakers in Aging (GIA) provides a web page about transportation and older people that includes Models of Effective Senior Transportation Programs and trending topics.
National Association of Area Agencies on Aging (n4a) co-administers the National Center for Senior Transportation (NCST) and Easter Seals to provide informational resources.
National Aging and Disability Transportation Center (NADTC) provides best practices around older adults and transportation
Every sector of transportation is involved in transporting persons with disabilities. Some best practice and general informational resources are below.
Community Transportation Association of the Northwest (CTANW) has a web page on Passenger & Community - Disability & Diversity Awareness
Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund (DREDF) provides resources and information about paratransit and ADA, among other disability rights topics
Easter Seals Project ACTION (ESPA) provides best practices resources with a focus on ADA transportation and passengers with disabilities
FTA's Americans with Disabilities Act and FTA Civil Rights page contains regulations and guidance for the transit industry
National Aging and Disability Transportation Center (NADTC) provides best practices around persons with disabilities and transportation
National Council on Independent Living (NCIL) carries out advocacy activities on behalf of persons with disabilities
National RTAP's ADA Toolkit gives transit managers the tools and information they need to comply with ADA regulations
University of Montana’s Rural Institute administers the Research and Training Center on Disability in Rural Communities program and includes publications and resources about rural transportation for people with disabilities
US Access Board provides resources for accessible design, including for transportation
US Department of Justice Americans with Disabilities Act page includes ADA laws, regulations, design standards and technical assistance
For information about how to run a roadeo, review the resources below.
American Public Transportation Association (APTA) International Bus Roadeo Handbook
Bus Roadeo Handbooks from Florida RTAP and Pennsylvania Public Transit Association
Community Transportation Association of America (CTAA) National Community Transportation Roadeo Guide
National RTAP's Bus Roadeo Toolkit and Best Practices Spotlight Article on Bus Roadeos
Texas Transit Association Bus Roadeo Set-Up web page
Best practices and information specifically aimed at rural transit systems and communities.
CONNECT Our Future is a Sustainable Communities initiative, funded by a grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has developed a Rural Transportation Tool and provides case studies
National Association of Development Organizations (NADO) publishes Reports about rural transportation and has a Rural Transportation Resource Library
Rural Health Information Hub (RHIhub) publishes a Rural Transportation Toolkit
Small Urban and Rural Transit Center (SURTC) provides outreach, research and training to small urban and rural transportation systems.
University of Montana’s Rural Institute administers the Research and Training Center on Disability in Rural Communities program and includes publications and resources about rural transportation for people with disabilities.
These resources provide practical information for State Department of Transportation (DOT) officials.
American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) provides a forum, research and programming for state DOT officials
National RTAP's State RTAP Managers' Forum is a place for State RTAP managers to exchange ideas, information, and documents, many of whom are also State DOTs
Smart Growth America has a page with current and archived articles they've published about State DOTs
These organizations focus on providing tribal transit organizations with information and best practices.
Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) is the US Government’s bureau to serve tribes and tribal interests, and contains a tribal leaders directory.
Community Transportation Association of America's (CTAA) Tribal Passenger Transportation Technical Assistance Programis designed to help Native American tribes enhance economic growth and development by improving transportation services
Intertribal Transportation Association (ITA) disseminates information pertaining to tribal transportation and transit legislation, funding opportunities, and success stories from member tribes
National RTAP provides best practices and information for rural and Tribal transit providers on our Tribal Transit page, and through the Tribal Transit Topic Guide.
Tribal Technical Assistance Program (TTAP) provides education and technical assistance services to tribes
These are research-focused organizations that typically support FTA’s strategic goals through research, education, workforce development, and technology transfer activities across modes and disciplines. FTA’s strategic goals include safety, state of good repair, economic competitiveness, livable communities, and environmental sustainability.
Council of University Transportation Centers (CUTC) includes research databases and member highlights
The National Center for Sustainable Transportation (NCST) is one of five National University Transportation Centers, and is the only national center focused on the FAST Act research priority area of Preserving the Environment
U.S. DOT provides a full list of current University Transportation Centers along with links to Browse UTC Research
Updated August 2, 2021