RTAPgo Podcast

Coming soon to your favorite podcast platforms

What is RTAPgo? 

RTAPgo is the rural and tribal transit provider’s straight-talk on peer-tested innovations, trends, and ideas for facing operational challenges, surviving and thriving with grace, grit, and creativity. Unlike the usual webinar or training event, this podcast provides technical assistance directly from the field. For small transit agencies with limited staff and funding, each show is an opportunity to learn from the struggles, successes, and innovations of colleagues who understand the day to day challenges of rural and tribal transit. 


Hosted by the National Rural Transit Assistance Program (National RTAP), RTAPgo is a podcast FOR and BY rural and tribal transit staff that allows isolated and hardworking transit professionals to remotely network with and learn from the real-life experience of their peers. With an emphasis on storytelling and interviews, each anecdote provides an example of rule applications, approaches, and ingenuity at small systems, so that listeners don’t have to use their limited time and staff to reinvent the wheel.

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As Seen On ITE Talks Transportation

Robin Phillips, Executive Director of the National Rural Transit Assistance Program (RTAP), discusses the challenges of delivering safe and effective public transportation in rural and tribal areas, and highlights some of the challenges faced by these communities, especially in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. National RTAP serves as a training and technical assistance resource for agencies across the United States to facilitate more efficient use of public transportation resources, and Phillips highlights how the program works to ensure a high quality of life for communities through access to jobs, healthcare, education, shopping, and other services.

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Coming Soon - Season 1

“I woke up one day and was a Transit Manager": From Common Challenges to the Unexpected

Join us for a series of conversations with rural and tribal transit managers that highlight the diverse perspectives and skills transit managers often unexpectedly bring to the table. From the variety of skills and challenges come innovative approaches and strategies. Listen to learn about the hidden genius of small transit systems and their dedicated managers.

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Episode 1. On the Road with Tribal Transit: Big Woods, Big Impact

Jennie Rowland, General Manager of Big Woods Transit with the Bois Forte Band of Chippewa in Nett Lake, Minnesota, joins Robin Phillips of National RTAP for an adventure in transit. Jennie introduces you to the challenges of walking into her job with no transit experience and 60 miles between each of her three reservation areas.


2020 is her 11th year on the job so she has weathered economic disruption, pandemic, and changing leadership to build her program and keep it engaged and relevant to her service area. Issues discussed include human resources, Tribal Transit Program funding, being a direct recipient, serving people during the pandemic, and volunteer programs as part of your NEMT program.

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