The nation's first Rural Transit Day was celebrated on July 16, 2019. This special holiday focuses on what agencies are doing to recognize passengers and staff on Rural Transit Day and through the year.
On Rural Transit Day (July 16) and every day throughout the year, I/we pledge to:
Take the Rural Transit Day Pledge to show your commitment to rural transit. For Rural Transit Day 2024, 90 agencies from 28 states (as well as national organizations and individuals) took the pledge.
Use the images in this Rural Transit Day Toolbox to spread the word about Rural Transit Day and the benefits of rural transit through social media. Our designer, Lexy Santiago, has created free images for you to use for Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter. Note that the images may not be used for any commercial purposes. If you have any questions, or need assistance, please contact us at info@nationalrtap.org.
Click on either of the buttons below to download an MS Word Rural Transit Day Hero card. Open the document and click on the silver frame in the middle of the card to insert a photo of your hero. Then edit the Name, Organization, and Date to personalize the card. Print out or email your card to your hero and make their (Rural Transit) Day!
Each year we've hosted a
#RuralTransitDay Chat on Twitter/X where participants share thoughts about the benefits of rural transit, along with challenges and solutions. This year's chat was co-moderated by Stephanie Lewis from Florida RTAP, Caitlin Musselman from NADTC, Kevin Wassom from Michigan DOT, John Andoh from Redding Area Bus Authority, and National RTAP staff on July 16, 2024, 2:00-3:00 PM ET. Read the
summary.
“Rural transit means opportunity, mobility, independence and inclusion to those who live and work in remote communities.”
“Rural transit means the ability to get out and about in your community to shop, visit friends, and stay socially connected.”
"Rural transit means working together to find creative solutions for mobility. It's really about the community."
"Rural transit is part of the community, not just moving people."
"When I think of rural transit I think of big vistas and the ability to connect people and places that seem far apart. On Rural Transit Day, let's focus on connections as we create a culture of health."
"Small transit is a beautiful beginning of hope."
"Rural public transportation supports local economies by connecting residents with local businesses and job opportunities and connects vulnerable populations in rural communities with vital health care services."
"Rural transit helps people improve their health and become more successful and self-sufficient."
"Rural transit is a lifeline for the most vulnerable population in our communities."
"Helping community members get where they need to go!"
"Providing quality of life services to those that need it and transportation options to those who choose to use it."
"Rural transit means connectivity to surrounding communities and being able to age in place!"
"Rural Transit means providing a service to the community. EVERYONE benefits from public transit - transportation plays a huge role in so many facets of life."
“Rural transit is a lifeline for communities across the state. Whether you need to get to a job, school, healthcare or even to the mailbox after your post office closes – rural transit will get you there.”
“Millions of rural citizens are unable to drive, and transit solutions are needed for a high quality of life.”
"Rural transit agencies are essential to the daily lives of lots of people in small towns and rural areas."
Public transit connects people in rural areas to their community and to essential services, which is especially important for those who may have limited access to other forms of transportation.
"It connects communities. It's a sign of commitment and passion."
"Rural transit is a necessity for communities across the US who have been long forgotten."
"Healthy rural transit systems help create healthy rural communities."
"Customers have described our service as a lifeline. I’ve been told more than once that if we did not do what we do, others could not leave their homes to meet their needs and live their lives. We have the honor of offering a hand up to those among us who need our help the most."
“Rural transit means the ability to get out and about in your community to shop, visit friends, and stay socially connected.”
"Rural transit means working together to find creative solutions for mobility. It's really about the community."
"Rural transit is part of the community, not just moving people."
"When I think of rural transit I think of big vistas and the ability to connect people and places that seem far apart. On Rural Transit Day, let's focus on connections as we create a culture of health."
"Small transit is a beautiful beginning of hope."
"Rural public transportation supports local economies by connecting residents with local businesses and job opportunities and connects vulnerable populations in rural communities with vital health care services."
"Rural transit helps people improve their health and become more successful and self-sufficient."
"Rural transit is a lifeline for the most vulnerable population in our communities."
"Helping community members get where they need to go!"
"Providing quality of life services to those that need it and transportation options to those who choose to use it."
"Rural transit means connectivity to surrounding communities and being able to age in place!"
"Rural Transit means providing a service to the community. EVERYONE benefits from public transit - transportation plays a huge role in so many facets of life."
“Rural transit is a lifeline for communities across the state. Whether you need to get to a job, school, healthcare or even to the mailbox after your post office closes – rural transit will get you there.”
“Millions of rural citizens are unable to drive, and transit solutions are needed for a high quality of life.”
"Rural transit agencies are essential to the daily lives of lots of people in small towns and rural areas."
Public transit connects people in rural areas to their community and to essential services, which is especially important for those who may have limited access to other forms of transportation.
"It connects communities. It's a sign of commitment and passion."
"Rural transit is a necessity for communities across the US who have been long forgotten."
"Healthy rural transit systems help create healthy rural communities."
"Customers have described our service as a lifeline. I’ve been told more than once that if we did not do what we do, others could not leave their homes to meet their needs and live their lives. We have the honor of offering a hand up to those among us who need our help the most."
"Rural Transit is truly life enrichment for the individuals in need of transportation; but also, for the professionals that dedicate their careers to the essential service that positively transforms lives and enhances communities across the nation."
"Rural transit is doing more with less which in turn fosters innovation, collaboration and grit."
"When answering the call of transportation coordination, Rural Transit means to me….ensuring folks have a way to the doctor…to work…to the pharmacy ....the grocery store…to the senior center.... to engage in all quality of life activities. Rural Transit is ESSENTIAL to the community!
You can order official Rural Transit Day t-shirts like the ones above now through May 31, 2025 through our T-Shirt Storefront.
" 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! "
" 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. "
" 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! "
" 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. "
" 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. "
" 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. "
" 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. "
" 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! "
"We are so very thankful for all your transportation training materials. Your resources are as valuable as gold!"
A program of the Federal Transit Administration administered by the Neponset Valley TMA
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by National RTAP |