The National Rural Transit Assistance Program’s (National RTAP) newly launched Technical Assistance Program announced the recipients of this pilot program. The purpose of the pilot program is to provide direct technical assistance to rural and tribal transportation programs in the areas of compliance with federal regulations and building system capacity to respond to community needs.

Sixteen agencies completed and submitted proposals, many of which were excellent. Based on available funding, however, the five agencies selected to receive assistance are:

• Community Alliance of Human Services of Newport, NH – increase access to existing service and determine how to serve the community beyond the existing fixed-route system.
• Pee Dee RTA of Florence, SC – explore the feasibility of providing express bus service that would connect commuters from four other communities with Florence, SC.
• Pullman Transit of Pullman, WA – conduct feasibility study to expand service to outlying areas and improve coordination with other stakeholders.
• Living Well in Wabash County Council on Aging of Wabash, IN – identify the potential for a deviated fixed-route service.
• WSOS - Community Action Commission of Fremont, OH – provide assistance in developing a transit asset management plan.

Program assistance is expected to be completed within a one-year period.

"We are impressed with the work these agencies are doing and look forward to exploring options for improving and building on the significant transit resources in these programs," stated Robin Phillips, National RTAP Executive Director. "The problems faced by these agencies are repeated across the country in other programs and states. We hope to showcase some of these projects at the National RTAP Conference that will be held in Denver, Colorado in October of 2015."

National RTAP is a program of the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) dedicated to creating rural transit solutions through technical assistance, partner collaboration and FREE training and other transit industry products. More information about National RTAP can be found at www.nationalrtap.org.