ATA will begin sending out information about renewing your membership later this month.  You can help by filling out membership applications on our NEW website.  We will send out information packets and a letter from our Executive Director as usual, but you can help us by filling out the application online. 

The Arkansas Transit Association serves more than 240 Arkansas transportation providers consisting of urban and rural public transit systems, professional agencies, non-profit human service agencies, commercial enterprises, and associate/ vendor members.  Association membership is a valuable investment.

ATA provides a wide range of services and benefits for its participating organizations.  Members receive a variety of unique and beneficial services like training (both at the Arkansas Public Transit & Resource Center and at member agency sites), FTA and FMCSA Drug and Alcohol Consortiums, insurance programs, background checks, free Traffic Violation Reports, annual conferences, and other networking opportunities.

Read more about ATA member benefits

ATA membership dues are affordable and help ensure that programs and benefits are available to member agencies. 

To join, please complete the Agency Membership Application.  For more information, contact us.

Associate/ Vendor Information

With associate/ vendor support, we are able to bring Arkansas transportation systems and industry professionals the very best training and networking available.

Our annual conference provides an excellent opportunity for associates/ vendors to meet transportation provider members and present products and services to those who buy them. The trade show is always a popular conference feature.  ATA members enjoy reduced conference registration rates.

ATA's Board of Directors, transit members, and staff welcome the active participation and appreciate the support of associate/ vendor members.   Dues are $200 per year.

To join, please complete the Associate/ Vendor Membership Application.  For more information, contact us.

Transit agencies have the responsibility to provide safe transportation and respect the civil rights of all passengers, including those who use mobility devices. In order to fulfill this responsibility, bus operators secure mobility devices and place seat belts on the passengers who use mobility devices as transit seating.  This important task is becoming increasingly challenging as operators are confronted with a variety of powered mobility devices that often lack traditional securement points and may not have been addressed in basic securement training.

This workshop gives transit professionals responsible for preparing operators an opportunity to address these securement challenges, explore related issues with peers, and enhance their knowledge and skills.The goal of Advanced Mobility Device Securement Skills Development Workshop is to present, demonstrate, and practice problem-solving skills for securing powered mobility devices. After successfully completing this two-day workshop, participants will be able to

• Discuss federal requirements regarding securement and seat belt use
• List pre-trip preparation tasks
• Identify mobility device securement equipment
• Determine effective strap securement locations on mobility devices
• Explain the use and placement of seat belts and shoulder belts
• Recognize how proper body mechanics and exercise can reduce the risk of on-the-job injuries

 Special thanks to SCAT and CATA for the use of their vehicles.

Class took place April 12-13th.

Online registration and hotel information is now available for the SWTA Transit Law Seminar, June 13-15 in San Antonio, TX.

Get your hotel and registration taken care of today.

SWTA will apply for CLE’s for all lawyers in attendance. Please pass this information to your transit system’s legal counsel. In addition, we will offer some special information about What General Managers and Transit Board Members Need to Know to Stay Legal. We will also cover ADA, HR, procurement, planning, rail, electronic surveillance, ethics, legal problems for small systems, and FTA’s new Livability and Joint Development initiative.  

You really can’t afford to miss this!! Register today.

This program provides capital assistance for vehicles and specialized equipment to public agencies and private nonprofit organizations to meet the needs of transportation dependent individuals.  This program requires public participation and equality of service under Title VI and the Americans with Disabilities Act.  A Program of Projects is developed from an annual application process.  FTA requires monitoring and oversight of these projects through quarterly performance reports, insurance documentation, preventative maintenance reporting, and on sight monitoring of equipment and services.

Type of Assistance: Capital

Eligibility: Private nonprofit organizations and public entities that provide transportation services to meet the needs of elderly and persons with disabilities.

Amounts Available: Based on federal formula, approximately $1.5 million per year

Match Requirement: Capital - 80% federal, 20% local 

Grant Application Period: The 2011 application period is OPEN. The deadline to submit an application is no later than 4:30 Friday, May 7, 2010. Click here to view the Application in Adobe Acrobat format. Click here to view the Procedures Manual in Adobe Acrobat format. Click here to view the Application in Microsoft Word format. Click here to view the Procedures Manual in Microsoft Word format.

(more information)

BACKGROUND

Public transit systems and agencies that receive Federal grants must comply with Federal regulations in 24 areas in order to establish and maintain their grants. The Federal Transit Administration's (FTA) Triennial Review Workshop provides an opportunity for transit systems and other public agencies to get up-to-date information on these critical requirements. 

Congress mandates Triennial Reviews for agencies receiving Urbanized Area Formula Program funds, U.S.C. 49, Section 5307. The Triennial Review Workshop provides guidance and reference material in each of the areas subject to review. During the two-day program, you will also have the opportunity to share information, experiences, and best practices with transit professionals from other agencies. The workshop is free of charge, but participants are responsible for room, board, and transportation. 

WHO SHOULD ATTEND?

Triennial Review Workshops are designed for grantees responsible for planning or managing transit service or compliance programs, as well as those responsible for developing grant applications and managing federally funded programs. Managers at those agencies who are scheduled for a Triennial Review during Fiscal Year 2010 are especially encouraged to attend this Workshop. The workshop will ensure that your organization is aware of new review requirements and assist you in preparing for an upcoming review. 

Due to space limitations, two registrants per grantee/agency will be accepted, up to a maximum of forty attendees for the workshop. Additional registrations will be accepted on a space-available basis. Please contact Dawn Hanson at (703) 821-8674 with any questions. 

WORKSHOP LEADERS 

The Triennial Review Workshop will be conducted by transit professionals who are reviewers for the FTA's Triennial Review Program. The instructors will provide guidance in each of the 24 areas to be reviewed, answer questions about how to respond to specific review areas, and share industry best practices.  Staff from the FTA will attend the workshop and be available to answer questions about your upcoming Triennial Review, assist you in any area related to your FTA grant program, and refer you to printed guidelines or other resources should you require additional information.

AGENDA

DAY 1 - May 11, 2010

8:30 am -Participant Check-in; Coffee and Danish 

9:00 am - Welcome and Introductions

10:00-noon - Presentation of FTA requirements in the areas of Legal, Financial, Technical, and Satisfactory Continuing Control

Participant questions and group discussion

Noon-1:00 pm - Lunch on your own 

1:00-4:15 pm - Presentation of FTA requirements in the areas of Maintenance, Procurement, Disadvantaged Business Enterprise, Buy America, Debarment and Suspension, and Lobbying 

4:15-4:45 pm - OIG Presentation – Waste, Fraud and Abuse. 

4:30-5:00 pm - Participant questions and group discussion 

Day 2 - May 12, 2010

8:30 am - Coffee and Danish 

9:00-noon - Presentation of FTA requirements in the areas of Planning/POP, Title VI, Public Comment Process, Half Fare, ADA, Charter Bus, School Bus, and National Transit Data base 

Noon-1:00 pm - Lunch on your own 

1:00-3:30 pm - Presentation of FTA requirements in the areas of Safety and Security, Drug-Free Workplace, Drug and Alcohol Program, Equal Employment Opportunity, ITS Architecture and ARRA                            

                         Participant questions and group discussion         

3:30-4:30 pm - Wrap-Up, Program Evaluations, and Feedback
 

LOCATION  

The two-day workshop will be held at the following location: 

Arkansas Transit Association - Arkansas Public Transit Safety and Resource Center (Directions)

620 West Broadway

North Little Rock, AR 72114

(501) 372-8900 - Toll Free (877) 372-8904

FY10_TR_Wkshop_Reg_6_LittleRock_AR.pdf (108.50 kb)