Training
Texas Transit Association Statewide Training Initiative
TTA is now expanding access to educational resources by launching a Statewide training initiative covering the many obstacles that transit staff face, including funding, procurement, and regulatory compliance. This training opportunity is made possible with a grant through TxDOT.
To administer this program, TTA will work closely with Easterseals, which has over 34 years of experience developing and implementing training programs and workshops for rural, suburban, and urban transit agencies. This training curriculum will be designed and delivered to be relevant to transit providers at various levels of management, accounting, and procurement professionals, front-line supervisors, dispatchers/ call center staff, and drivers. It will incorporate best practices from both the public and the private sector.
All courses, workshops, and webinars, in-person or virtual, are designed to be interactive and participatory. These courses will be offered to Transit agencies in Texas at no cost, but space is limited, so make sure that you and your staff don’t miss out on this great opportunity.
Upcoming Training
TTA’s Upcoming Courses
These courses are offered to transit agencies in Texas at no cost by grant funding through TxDOT.
Determining ADA Complementary Paratransit Eligibility (remote workshop)
Date: May 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, 2025
Time: 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Central
Presenter: Kristi McLaughlin, Easterseals Project Action
Description:
This remote workshop provides transit professionals and managers with the information and tools to develop a comprehensive approach to conducting accurate paratransit eligibility determinations. This workshop will provide participants helpful tips and best practices in determining ADA complementary paratransit eligibility. Participants will also receive informational resources on the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements for eligibility determination processes.
**The workshop will be held on each Thursday of May.
Financial Management Level 2
Date: June 9-10, 2025
Time: 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Central
Location: Commons Conference Center, 10100 Burnet Road, Bldg 137, Austin, TX 78758
Presenter: A.T. Stoddard, Consultant
Description:
This workshop builds on Level 1 and provides more in-depth training in the areas of strategic planning, cost allocation plans, determining contract rates to provide service, and monitoring performance to evaluate success. The workshop will include development of cost allocation plans and build on use of cost allocation models for specific applications, particularly related to establishing contract reimbursement rates for service and how to integrate financial management with strategic planning. Upon completion of the course, participants will be able to develop a cost allocation plan, determine reimbursement rates to provide service, and integrate financial management with development of a strategic plan.
Disability Awareness (webinar)
Date: June 10, 2025
Time: 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. Central
Presenter: Lenzy Williams, Crown Consulting
Description:
This webinar will equip transit professionals with skills to communicate and assist customers with disabilities effectively. Emphasizing sensitivity and awareness, this training highlights the daily challenges faced by individuals with disabilities, promoting empathy and understanding in customer service.
Safety and Security Level 1 & 2 (in-person)
Date: June 17-18, 2025
Time: 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Central each day
Location: Waco Transit Administration Building, 301 South 8th St, Waco, TX 76701
Presenter: Kelly Shawn, RLS & Assoc.
Description:
The Safety and Security Training program provides information for frontline employees up to administration staff on managing all aspects of transit safety and security using Safety Management Systems (SMS) to identify and reduce risk. Day 1 incorporates subrecipient compliance requirements and industry best practices to give participants a solid understanding of the role transit employees plays in creating a culture of safety for employees and riders. Day 1 will focus on the four main elements of FTA’s required Public Transportation Agency Safety Plan (PTASP) under 49 CFR Part 673, as well as managing security risk and emergency planning. PTASP elements include Safety Management Policy Statement, Safety Risk Management, Safety Assurance and Safety Promotion. The program will include information on developing Safety Performance Targets, Employee Safety Reporting Program and Agency Safety Plan development. Building on day 1, on day 2 participants will be provided with a more comprehensive look at policies, processes and protocols impacting transit operations, system safety and service reliability. The session will include detailed information on using performance measures, data analytics and evaluation reviews to understand areas of potential risk, hazards, or threats. Course attendees will learn to conduct Threat and Vulnerability Assessments (TVA)s, System Safety Assessments and other methods to identify safety issues with staff, passengers, and infrastructure. Day 2 will cover challenges faced by municipalities providing transit services through contracted services, third party maintenance providers or collective bargaining agreements. Safety is everyone’s responsibility including passengers, transit staff and community members. These invaluable resources must be provided a method of conveying safety and security information beneficial to the system. The course will also cover technology commonly used to identify threats, manage resources and improve customer experience. Exercises will be provided throughout the workshop to give participants an opportunity to understand the dynamics of safety events including prevention, mitigation, documentation, and investigation.
So I Just Became a New Transit Manager, Now What? (in-person)
Date: June 24-25, 2025
Time: 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Central Day 1
8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Central Day 2
Location: Middle Rio Grande Workforce Center, 216 W. Main Street Suite B (2nd Floor), Uvalde, Texas 78801
Presenter: Kristen Joyner, KJ Backpack
Description:
This workshop will focus on transit leadership and management for directors with less than 3 years of experience. Administration, operations and planning, compliance plus communication and leadership skills will provide a good starting point with managers. Seasoned transit managers and regulatory experts will be utilized to provide key information and tips for success.
Etiquette and Effective Communication with People with Disabilities for Call Center Staff(remote workshop)
Date: July 10, 2025
Time: 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Central
Presenter: Kristi McLaughlin, Easterseals Project Action
Description:
This 4-hour remote workshop aims to educate call takers on appropriate communication with people with disabilities. The workshop covers various topics including assisting difficult customers, effective communication and the ADA, and disability awareness and etiquette.
Achieving and Maintaining ADA Compliance for Public Transportation Agencies (in-person)
Date: July 11, 2025
Time: 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Central
Location: CCRTA Staples St. Center, 602 N. Staples Street, Corpus Christi, Texas 78401
Presenter: Julie Sc, RLS & Assoc.
Description:
This workshop is an in-depth regulatory look at ADA from the public transportation perspective and a presentation of the steps necessary to achieve and maintain ADA compliance. This training touches on specific ADA topics such as service animals, personal care attendants, and reasonable modification requirements for micro-transit and demand response service delivery. The training is continually updated to reflect all updates and interpretations to the original ADA regulation.
Rural Transit Demand Estimation (remote workshop)
Date: July 15 & 17, 2025
Time: 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Central
Presenter: A.T. Stoddard, Consultant
Description:
This remote workshop introduces some of the unique aspects of estimating demand for rural transit services. Transit demand characteristics are different in rural areas and small cities with a population under 50,000 compared to urban areas. Rural services meet the needs of population segments who lack options for transportation and there are few choice riders. Participants will be introduced to resources and approaches for estimating rural transit demand. This is a 4-hour workshop conducted in two, two-hour sessions.
When the Yellow School Bus Stops: Strategies to Support the Ridership of Youth with Disabilities on Public Transportation (webinar)
Date: July 16, 2025
Time: 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. Central
Presenter: Judy Shanley, Easterseals Project Action
Description:
Youth with disabilities leaving high school represent an important future rider pool for transit agencies. As some agencies face ridership shortages, a focus on building connections with school transportation professionals and ensuring that youth have the knowledge and skill they need to access public transportation is critical. Attendees to this interactive webinar will acquire strategies to raise awareness and competency for youth and their families about the opportunities created by public transportation, and thereby, be less dependent on paratransit Service.
Hiring and Retaining Great Employees (webinar)
Date: July 22, 2025
Time: 2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. Central
Presenter: Lenzy Williams, Crown Consulting
Description:
Finding the right fit for an open job position can at times be a struggle. This webinar will help to identify some of the common pitfalls of hiring while also sharing strategies on how to retain and develop great employees. Progressive discipline as well as understanding the power of praise and encouragement will be some of the topics discussed in this entertaining but educational webinar.
Communicating so Others Can Hear the Message (in-person workshop)
Date: July 29-30, 2025
Time: 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Central Day 1
8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Central Day 2
Location: AACOG, Art Training Room, 8200 Perrin Beitel, San Antonio, TX 78218
Presenter: Kristen Joyner, KJ Backpack
Description:
Ever feel like you're saying all the right things but not getting through? This session is all about learning how to connect with others in a way that really sticks. We’ll explore how understanding yourself—and the people around you—can help you communicate with less stress and better results. Through fun exercises, real-life examples, and honest conversation, you’ll pick up practical tools to improve how you lead, work, and relate to others—at the office and at home. Get ready to walk away with some “a-ha” moments and tips you can use right away.
Agencies interested in hosting future training classes can contact Laura@TxTransit.org for details.
Host agencies are expected to provide the following:
Training Room with a projector that can accommodate up to 35 individuals classroom style.
Refreshments and coffee for morning and afternoon breaks.
Please note that the training location must be in close proximity to dining establishments to allow participants to leave and return within one hour.
Host agencies may also provide lunch if there are no dining establishments nearby.
The host agency is encouraged to offer tours of their facility.