Press releases

National Apprenticeship Week is November 17-23

FTA and transit workforce partners will join the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) to promote DOL’s “National Apprenticeship Week 2024: Celebrating 10 Years of Engagement, Expansion, and Innovation.” FTA invites transit agencies and FTA workforce technical assistance partners to showcase the successes and value of registered apprenticeships. Transit apprenticeship programs are designed to leverage experienced mentors and on-the-job training to develop transit worker skills. Apprenticeships are especially valuable for frontline worker roles such as bus and rail technicians. The number of registered transit apprenticeship programs has increased from five in 2013 to 32 transit agencies hosting these programs in 2024 according to the Transit Workforce Center , FTA's technical assistance partner for workforce development. The TWC offers a map of registered apprenticeships . Registered apprenticeships strengthen the economy by developing a highly skilled workforce to meet industry needs, creating pathways for career seekers to catapult into good jobs, supporting knowledge transfer, and advancing racial and gender equity. To help organizations promote apprenticeship opportunities, DOL offers online resources for the event including tips for participating in National Apprenticeship Week, daily themes and messaging focusing on apprenticeships for youth, underserved populations, and other community segments. Links : National Apprenticeship Week 2024: Celebrating 10 Years of Engagement, Expansion, and Innovation Transit Workforce Center Map – Apprenticeship and Mentorship Programs - Transit Workforce Center

Funding Available through FHWA’s Promoting Resilient Operations for Transformative, Efficient, and Cost-Saving Transportation Program

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has announced up to $876 million available through the Competitive Grant Program. The Fiscal Years (FY) 2024-2026 Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) provides support to help make surface transportation systems, including highways, public transportation, pedestrian facilities, ports, and intercity passenger rail, more resilient to climate change, sea level rise, flooding, extreme weather events, and other natural hazards. The competitive grant funding is available for states, metropolitan planning organizations and local governments, transit agencies, and Tribes through two application periods, with up to $576 million for FYs 2024 and 2025, and up to $300 million for FY 2026. All FY 2024-2025 applications must be submitted through grants.gov by Monday, February 24, 2025. Learn more and register for webinars on how to apply, at FHWA's PROTECT Discretionary Grant Program page . Links : PROTECT Program Notice of Funding Opportunity FHWA PROTECT Website Grants.gov

FTA Announces Approximately $10.5 Million in Project Selections to Help Communities Plan for Transit-Oriented Development

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) today announced approximately $10.5 million in project selections going to 11 communities in 10 states to support equitable transit-oriented development. The funding from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will help boost local economies, address impacts from climate change, and provide more transportation options through development near new or expanded transit project corridors. These grants, funded by FTA’s Pilot Program for Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) Planning , support local strategies to increase transit access and encourage ridership through mixed-use and mixed-income development near public transportation projects. The program helps communities plan for opportunities around transit stations, such as affordable housing, economic development, and better connections to schools, hospitals, stores, and restaurants. Links : Press Release FY24 Project Selections Pilot Program for Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) Planning Transit-Oriented Development

FTA Announces Approximately $5.1 Million to the University of Cincinnati for the Accelerating Advanced Digital Construction Management System Program

FTA today announced approximately $5.1 million to the University of Cincinnati to promote the adoption of digital platforms that speed up and improve the delivery of transit construction projects while reducing costs. The Accelerating Advanced Digital Construction Management Systems Program , created as part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Program aims to apply digital systems throughout the transportation infrastructure lifecycle (including through the planning, design and engineering, construction, operations, and maintenance phases) that: maximize interoperability with other systems, products, tools, or applications; boost productivity; manage complexity; reduce project delays and cost overruns; enhance safety and quality; and reduce total costs for the entire lifecycle of transportation infrastructure assets. The University of Cincinnati will work with the Southwest Ohio Regional Transportation Authority, Butler County Regional Transit Authority, and Akron Metro to develop a demonstration project and document best practices from applying the selected systems in transit projects. Links : Press Release Accelerating Advanced Digital Construction Management Systems Program

GAO Makes 2024 PTAC Appointments

WASHINGTON, DC (October 24, 2024) – Gene L. Dodaro, Comptroller General of the United States and head of the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO), today announced the appointment of two new members to the Physician-Focused Payment Model…

Register Now for The Making Connections 2024 Conference

Are you a transit agency looking to solve critical issues around workforce development? Would resources and tools aimed at frontline workforce improve your agency operations? FTA's Transit Workforce Center (TWC) will host the Making Connections 2024 – The National Transit Workforce Conference (MC-24) in Baltimore, Maryland, on November 11-13, with a keynote address by FTA Deputy Administrator Veronica Vanterpool. MC-24 provides an opportunity for participants to explore new ideas and cutting-edge practices to support and shape transit workforce development today and in the future. FTA's National Transit Institute is a co-sponsor of this conference. MC-24 will bring together representatives from transit agencies, unions, government, education, community, and workforce development organizations from across the country to share successful strategies for recruitment and retention, workforce training, apprenticeships, applying new technologies, and advancing diversity, equity, and access. The conference agenda includes interactive sessions built around industry needs and aligned with FTA's National Transit Workforce Development Strategic Plan goals for recruiting and retaining the workforce of the future. On Monday November 11, there will be pre-conference intensive workshops based on TWC’s most in-demand technical assistance topics. Register for the Making Connections 2024 Conference, located at the Hilton Baltimore Inner Harbor Hotel, 401 West Pratt Street, Baltimore, MD 21201. Links : FTA National Transit Workforce Development Strategic Plan Transit Workforce Center National Transit Institute Making Connections 2022 Recap and Videos

GAO Makes Appointments to PCORI Governing Board

WASHINGTON, DC (September 23, 2024) — Gene L. Dodaro, Comptroller General of the United States and head of the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO), today announced the reappointment of seven members and one new member to the Governing Board…

GAO Statement on Protest Filed by MAXIMUS Federal Services, Inc., B-422676

The following is a statement from Edward Goldstein, Managing Associate General Counsel for Procurement Law at the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO), regarding yesterday’s decision resolving the bid protest filed by MAXIMUS Federal Services…

FTA Announces Major Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Investments to Modernize and Enhance Ferry Service Nationwide

FTA today announced grants totaling approximately $300 million from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to modernize the nation’s ferry systems. FTA’s ferry programs invest in improving ferry service in urban and rural communities by providing federal support to acquire modern, “greener” vessels and upgrading equipment to support high-quality, low-emission ferry service. In total, FTA is awarding federal funding to 18 projects in 14 states . Of the 18 projects, eight are receiving federal support for environmentally friendly propulsion technologies, such as electric ferries and charging equipment. The funding comes through three FTA competitive grant programs: FTA’s Ferry Service for Rural Communities Program provides competitive funding to states for ferry service in rural areas. Today, FTA is awarding $194 million to four projects in two states. FTA’s Passenger Ferry Grant Program supports capital projects to establish new ferry service and repair and modernize ferry vessels, terminals, and facilities in urban areas. Today, FTA is awarding $56.3 million to eight projects in seven states. FTA’s Electric or Low Emitting Ferry Program supports the purchase of electric or low-emitting ferry vessels that reduce emissions by using alternative fuels or on-board energy storage systems. Today, FTA is awarding $49 million to six projects in five states. Links : FTA Ferry Programs Project Selections News Release Acting Administrator Vanterpool’s video statement

GAO Makes New Appointments to Its Tribal and Indigenous Advisory Council

WASHINGTON, DC (August 26, 2024) – Gene L. Dodaro, Comptroller General of the United States and head of the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO), today announced four new appointments to its Tribal and Indigenous Advisory Council. The Council…

Action on GAO’s Agency and Congressional Recommendations Could Produce Billions in Financial Benefits and Improve Federal Programs

WASHINGTON (July 11, 2024) – Today, the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) issued a report listing open recommendations for Congress and federal agencies to make the government work more efficiently and effectively. Certain of…

Feature Article: S&T Tests Cutting-Edge Counter-Drone Technology

#outlook a { padding: 0; } .ReadMsgBody { width: 100%; } .ExternalClass { width: 100%; } .ExternalClass * { line-height: 100%; } body { margin: 0; padding: 0; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; -ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; } table, td { border-collapse: collapse; mso-table-lspace: 0pt; mso-table-rspace: 0pt; } img { border: 0; height: auto; line-height: 100%; outline: none; text-decoration: none; -ms-interpolation-mode: bicubic; } p { display: block; margin: 13px 0; } @media only screen and (max-width:480px) { @-ms-viewport { width: 320px; } @viewport { width: 320px; } } 96 .outlook-group-fix { width:100% !important; } @import url(https://fonts.googleapis.com/css?family=Roboto); @import url(https://fonts.googleapis.com/css?family=Ubuntu:300,400,500,700); @media only screen and (min-width:480px) { .mj-column-per-100 { width: 100%!important; } } Feature Article: S&T Tests Cutting-Edge Counter-Drone Technology Two recent field demonstrations brought government, academia, and industry together to evaluate innovative counter-unmanned aircraft systems. Although drones have many positive applications, bad actors can use them for nefarious purposes. In June 2023, a drone caused all flights to be grounded for about 30 minutes at Pittsburgh International Airport. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) receives more than 100 reports of unmanned aircraft sightings from pilots, citizens, and law enforcement each month, with many of these drones operating around airplanes, helicopters and airports. Disruptive drones have also been flown over malls, sporting events, stadiums, and amusement parks. In addition, they are used to smuggle drugs like fentanyl and other contraband items and to facilitate human smuggling into the United States. To defend against the malicious use of drones, the Science & Technology Directorate (S&T) evaluated innovative counter-unmanned aircraft systems (C-UAS) technologies, a.k.a. counter-drone technologies, during two live demonstrations that took place last summer. Before these events, S&T issued two public requests for information in April to gather data from vendors regarding existing counter-drone technologies and then down selected the most promising ones to participate in the demonstrations. At right, a technician aims a drone detection system while a second technician scans monitors for any drone activity in the area during a demonstration in Oklahoma. Photo credit: Oklahoma State University. READ THE FULL STORY →