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Rural Transit Assistance Program (RTAP) is a grant from the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) that funds training, technical assistance, research, and scholarships to improve rural and small urban public transit services across California. The program is administered through a contract with the California Association for Coordinated Transportation (CALACT) in conjunction with the FTA Section 5311 rural transit program.
RTAP aims to promote safe and effective delivery of public transportation in non-urbanized and small urban areas, develop local capacity for training, improve information and technical assistance resources, and support peer-to-peer networking among transit professionals. Eligible applicants include transit agencies, rural local agencies, and nonprofit transit providers operating in rural and small urban California communities.
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Rural Transit Assistance Program (RTAP) | Caltrans Rural Transit Assistance Program (RTAP) Rural Transit Assistance Program (RTAP) The Rural Transit Assistance Program (RTAP) was created by Congress in 1986, under the Section 18(h) of the Surface Transportation Act administered by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA).
The Program's goal is to provide training, technical assistance, and research activities that help foster improved rural transit services. RTAP has both state and national program components. California’s RTAP funds are administered in conjunction with the Office of Transit Grants and Contracts (OTGC) management of the FTA Section 5311 rural transit program.
The OTGC administers the California State RTAP program through a contract that is currently awarded to the California Association for Coordinated Transportation (CALACT), a private non-profit association of more than 300 organizations - the largest state transit association in the United States.
Together, CalACT and Caltrans are dedicated to promoting professional excellence, stimulating ideas and advocating for efficient, effective community transportation statewide. California RTAP Objectives To promote the safe and effective delivery of public transportation in non-urbanized and small urban areas of California and to make more efficient use of public and private resources.
To foster the development of state and local capacity for addressing the training and technical assistance needs of the rural/small urban transportation community. To improve the quality of information and technical assistance available through the development of training and technical assistance resources. To facilitate peer-to-peer self-help through the development of local networks of transit professionals.
To support the coordination of public, private, specialized and human service transportation services. To assist in building a national and state of California database on the non-urbanized and small urban segment of the public transportation industry. Vehicle maintenance workshops Professional access and peer networking CALACT's Executive Director is Jacklyn Cuddy.
You can contact her at (916) 920-8018 or Jacklyn@calact. org For more information on RTAP, please visit the CALACT web page RTAP – CALACT . The Rural Transit Assistance Program (RTAP) was created by Congress in 1986, under the Section 18(h) of the Surface Transportation Act administered by the FTA.
The program's goal is to provide training, technical assistance, and research activities that will improve rural transit services. Chapter VIII information is available to help you better understand how RTAP functions at the National level and how it is authorized and funded. RTAP provides training and technical assistance and other support services tailored to meet the specific needs of transit operators in nonurbanized areas.
RTAP has both state and national program components. The state program provides an annual allocation to each state to enable them to develop and implement training and technical assistance programs in conjunction with the state's administration of the Section 5311 formula assistance program.
The national program is managed by the FTA provides for the development of information and materials for use by local operators and state administering agencies and supports research and technical assistance projects of national interest. California State RTAP funds are administered in conjunction with its management of the Section 5311 formula assistance program.
The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Section 5311, promotes public transit in the non-urbanized areas of the state, and FTA Section 5311(f) promotes intercity transit in the non-urbanized areas of the state.
DMT administers the California State RTAP program through a contract currently with the California Association for Coordinated Transportation (CALACT ), a private non-profit association of transit providers serving the needs of the non-urbanized areas of California.
CALACT is the largest state transit association in the United States, with more than 300 members dedicated to promoting professional excellence, stimulating ideas and advocating for effective community transportation. CALACT's goal is to provide training, technical assistance, and research activities that will improve rural transit services. CALACT also offers a variety of activities that affect training for rural transit agencies.
These activities Include: Peer to peer opportunities Conferences and workshops tailored for rural transit operators needs Vehicle maintenance workshops Access to other California and national transportation professionals CALACT's Executive Director is Jacklyn Montgomery. You can contact her at (916) 920-8018. For more information on RTAP, please visit the CALACT web page CALACT's Rural Transit Assistance Program .
DRMT's RTAP Program Objectives The Objectives for the California RTAP are to provide quality training, technical assistance, research, reports, best practice and peer-to-peer interactions for rural 5311 sub-recipients, small urban transit operators, community service organizations, and tribal governments statewide.
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According to the current listing, eligibility includes: Transit agencies, rural local agencies, nonprofit transit providers operating in rural areas. Confirm the full requirements in the official notice before applying.
Rural Transit Assistance Program (RTAP) accepts applications on a rolling basis — there is no single fixed deadline. Check the official notice for any cycle-specific review dates.
Rural Transit Assistance Program (RTAP) is funded by California Department of Transportation (Caltrans). Verify program details on the funder's official page before applying.
This opportunity targets applicants in California. If your organization operates elsewhere, check the official notice for location requirements.
Applications go through the funder's official portal — the Apply Now link on this page goes there directly.
FY 2026-27 Sustainable Transportation Planning Grant - Sustainable Communities Competitive is a grant from the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) that funds multimodal transportation and land use planning projects that advance regional Sustainable Communities Strategies and contribute to California's greenhouse gas reduction targets of 40% below 1990 levels by 2030 and 80% by 2050. Approximately $25 million in SB 1 funds and $10 million in traditional state and federal grants are available per cycle. Eligible applicants are local and regional planning agencies, tribal governments, and public agencies with transportation planning authority in California. All projects must have a transportation nexus as defined under Article XIX of the California Constitution.
Transportation Planning Grants – Sustainable Communities is a grant from the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) that funds metropolitan planning organizations, regional transportation planning agencies, local governments, transit agencies, tribal governments, and school districts to develop sustainable, integrated transportation and land use plans. The grant is part of the Sustainable Transportation Planning Grants program, which awards approximately $34.5 million annually in state and federal funding across four categories: Sustainable Communities (Competitive and Formula), Strategic Partnerships, and Strategic Partnerships - Transit. Individual grants reach up to $700,000. Eligible applicants include metropolitan planning organizations, regional transportation planning agencies, local governments, transit agencies, tribal governments, and school districts in California.
California's Senate passed a $12 billion research bond 29-9 on May 27. If the Assembly clears it and Gov. Newsom signs by June 25, voters decide in November whether a new state foundation will fund grants where Washington pulled back.
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