Winona public bus picking up a passaganer in a historic neighborhood

Minnesota RTAP

Rural Transit Assistance Program

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Rural Transit Assistance Program

 

The Minnesota Rural Transit Assistance Program (RTAP) is a training, technical assistance and outreach program funded by the Federal Transit Administration as part of the Formula Grants for Other Than Urbanized Area Section 5311 program.  Since 1987 RTAP has developed and distributed free training materials and provided technical assistance with the goal of improving mobility for the millions of Americans living in communities with populations under 50,000.  The RTAP program operations on both the state and national levels to support community transit.

In Minnesota, RTAP funds are used to provide driver training in passenger assistance, defensive driving and maltreatment awareness as well as driver refresher training. Workshops and conferences for transit managers are regularly offered several times a year.   The RTAP program also funds scholarships for transit system personnel to attend conferences of national significance to transit. An advisory committee meets quarterly to provide input to MnDOT staff in carrying out the RTAP Program. 

 

Eligibility for RTAP funding is limited to those organizations receiving funding through the Federal Transit Administration through Sections, 5310, 5311, 5316 and 5317.  Tribal recipients of Section 5311 [c]  funding are also eligible.  Large urban systems funded through Section 5307
are eligible provided the event is primarily focused on rural transit issues.  Employees of non-eligible organizations may participate in RTAP – sponsored driver training classes provided a) there is space available, and b) they pay the full cost of the their share of expenses incurred in attending the training. Non-eligible participants will be invoiced by MnDOT. 

 

National RTAP develops training materials and provides technical assistance on topics of national scope.  Visit the NRTAP website to view the Resource Library of Materials that are available to all transportation operators free of charge. 

 

Driver Training Classes
Minnesota RTAP provides training classes transit drivers statewide.


Scholarships for Conferences, Workshops and Seminars

 

Minnesota RTAP provides scholarships to eligible organizations to assist transit managers, staff and their organization's board members, who attend transit-related professional conferences and workshops, which may be held both in and out of the state.

 

To be eligible, your organization must receive funding from the Federal Transit Administration through Sections 5310, 5311, 5316, and 5317.  Section 5307 organizations are eligible provided the event is primarily focused on rural issues.

 

Employees of non-eligible organizations may participate in RTAP-sponsored activities provided there is a) space available, and b) they pay the full cost of their share of expenses incurred in attending the program.  Non-eligible participants will be invoiced by Mn/DOT.

Questions? Feel free to contact Kelly Schroepfer at 651-366-4184