By Haley Schultheis
NADO staff members Carrie Kissel and Haley Schultheis attended the National Rural Transit Assistance Partnership (RTAP) Conference in Austin, Texas, Dec 7-10. During the event, Kissel spoke as a panelist in an industry leaders plenary luncheon panel. Staff also shared NADO Research Foundation resources with other attendees during the exhibitor reception.
We had a great time at the 6th National RTAP Conference, where we connected with technical assistance partners, direct rural and tribal transit service providers, and state and federal agency staff from across the country. It was an informative few days of conversation and collaboration that reminded us of the fundamentals, while also introducing fresh ideas and tools to strengthen rural and tribal transit.
According to the National Transit Database, over 10 million rides were provided by 1,226 rural and tribal transit providers in 2023 – a powerful reminder of the impact we all have and how much we can learn from each other. We left with new resources and renewed appreciation for tried-and-true practices, and we’re excited to share some of the key lessons and helpful materials we brought back.
Good Reminders
Quick takeaways that reinforce the basics and help keep operations running smoothly:
- Buses are third spaces that encourage economic participation in local communities.
- People will use an infrequent bus, as long as it’s consistent.
- Stagger vehicle acquisitions, so you don’t have to replace them all at once.
- When creating routes, remember the ‘ice cream rule’ – get riders home before their ice cream melts!
Storytelling That Makes an Impact
Storytelling is a powerful way to share rider experiences, build trust with new users, and advocate for funding. Here are some examples that inspired us:
- Faces of Transit: A photo and story series highlighting the people behind rural transit in and the communities they serve in Oklahoma.
- Voices from the Field: The SCAN Foundation: Real stories from older adults about their transportation needs and experiences, offering insights for inclusive planning.
- TransitCNMI Instagram: A creative social media example showing how short-form video can engage riders and showcase transit benefits from TransitCNMI.
- Stop Requested – Oregon: A multimedia radio show project exploring the role of public transit in connecting communities across Oregon.
- Light of the Sun – Nonprofit: A nonprofit initiative using storytelling to highlight the impacts of their powerful non-profit work.
Resources to Explore
Tools and guides to help you plan, implement, and improve transit services:
- TxDOT Rural Microtransit Guidebook (PDF): A practical guide for planning and launching rural microtransit programs, including best practices and implementation tips.
- NCATT Microtransit Tool: An online tool to help estimate demand and design microtransit services.
- FTA Tribal Transit Assessment Manual (PDF: A comprehensive manual for assessing and improving tribal transit programs, with evaluation frameworks.
- National RTAP Resources: Includes a wide range of training materials, toolkits, and technical assistance resources for rural and tribal transit providers.
- Truckers Against Trafficking Resources: Educational materials and strategies to help transit agencies combat human trafficking and promote rider safety.
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