WSDOT’s Public Transportation Division provides training and technical assistance resources to rural transits through the Rural Transportation Assistance Program.

• Training scholarships
• Training
• Technical assistance
• Peer review program

Scholarships

WSDOT administers the Rural Transportation Assistance Program (RTAP) scholarship program with funding provided by the Federal Transit Administration. The scholarships are available to rural providers through an application process.

Training

Training courses for public transportation providers are developed and facilitated by WSDOT, Washington State Transit Insurance Pool (WSTIP), Community Transportation Association Northwest (CTANW), and Washington State Transit Association (WSTA).

The WSDOT Public Transportation Division directly provides training to agencies and organizations that are interested in applying for state and federal grants, managing their WSDOT grant, and more.

Technical assistance

Examples of the technical assistance WSDOT provides:

• Answering specific questions by phone or via email.
• Helping develop procurement specifications and procedures for equipment and facilities.
• Organizing community coordination.
• Interpreting policy guidelines and providing policy templates.
• Reviewing and commenting on draft plans, environmental documents, and studies.
• Providing public-speaking presentations on a variety of topics and issues.

Peer review program

This program is available to all public transportation providers in the state. Rural Transportation Assistance Program funds may be available to cover rural agencies' cost of the review.

Participation is voluntary and can focus on the entire agency or only one element, and is initiated by a request to the Public Transportation Division along with a problem statement. Prior peer reviews have included recommendations for safety and training, maintenance shop efficiency, revising the org chart and job descriptions, and moving from general public demand response to fixed route.

For more information, contact Stacy Wyman wymanst@wsdot.wa.gov 360-705-7248