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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.

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.

Understanding Cost Allocation (webinar)

Date: August 5, 2025

Time: 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 p.m. Central

Presenter: Rich Garrity, RLS & Associates

Description:

This training introduces participants to the concepts of direct versus indirect costs, when an Indirect Cost Allocation Plan (CAP) should be developed, the benefits of having a CAP, and when use of the de minimis rate might be appropriate. Important components of this training program are the explanation of various CAP methodologies and compliance with 2 CFR 200. After completing this training, you will be able to:
•       Know the difference between direct and indirect expenses
•       Identify resources available to help with a cost allocation plan
•       State the 2 CFR § 200.403 criteria to determine if a cost is allowable
•       State the difference between a direct and an indirect cost
•       Describe the benefits from having an indirect cost pool
•       Outline the steps of preparing an indirect cost allocation plan
•       Understand the allowable de minimis rate

Understanding Transit Asset Management (in-person workshop)

Date: August 12-13, 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: Brazos Transit District, 1759 N Earl Rudder Frwy, Bryan, TX 77803

Presenter: Kelly Shawn, RLS & Associates

Description:

This 1 ½ day training workshop will provide participants with a thorough understanding of the benefits associated with proper asset management of capital resources to include facilities, rolling stock, and equipment. A large portion of the training will focus on requirements for FTA’s 49 CFR Part 625 – Transit Asset Management (TAM) Plan but also look at methods and best practices to maintain the TAM Plan and use it to help develop financial projections based on state of good repair of transit assets.
Participants will learn about variables that impact an asset’s useful life to include preventive maintenance practices, procurement priorities, manufacturer challenges, condition assessment process, policies and funding. In addition, the course will include information on NTD reporting, developing or modifying SGR benchmarks and simple methods of managing data needed annually to support the TAM Plan. The workshop includes information for systems included in the TXDOT Tier II TAM Plan as well as larger systems managing their own Plan.

Cares Transit Fleet Management and Maintenance (in-person workshop)

Date: August 26-28, 2025

Time: 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Central each day

Location: Metro McAllen

Presenter: Lenzy Williams, Crown Consulting

Description:

CARES Transit Fleet Management and Maintenance is a comprehensive training that equips participants with the knowledge and skills needed to effectively manage and maintain transit fleets. The training covers key principles and best practices for fleet care and preventive maintenance. Safety, compliance, importance of documentation and communication are also emphasized. Participants will depart this training with a foundation to enhance operational efficiency, minimize downtime, increase safety, and better ensure the longevity of their transit vehicles.

CARES Advanced Transit Management (in-person workshop)

Date: September 30 - October 1, 2025

Time: 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Central each day

Location: City of Amarillo, Multimodal Terminal, 509 S. Bowie St., Amarillo, TX 79106

Presenter: Carol Wright Kenderdine, Carol Wright Consulting

Description:

This 2-day workshop is designed for seasoned managers looking for new and improved approaches to managing their transit programs.  It is a follow-up course to the Fundamentals of Transit Management.  This course will challenge you to rethink some of the principles you thought you already knew.  It will help you look at things from a number of different perspectives and provide you with hands-on activities and take-home resources that will enable you to implement what you learn in your own agency.
Modules for Advanced Transit Management include:
• Human Resources – Recruiting Good Employees; Performance Appraisals; Resolving Workplace Conflict (i.e., Managing Employee Conflict; Managing Difficult Employees; etc.); Succession Planning
• Financial Management – Evaluating Financial Capacity and Decision-Making
• Strategic Management – Benefits of Strategic Management; Implementing the Strategic Management Process; Marketing/Links to Stakeholders
• Advanced Service Planning -- Service Deployment; Technology Needs; Service Effectiveness & Efficiency; Setting Fares; Service Monitoring; and Best Practices
• Leadership Skills and Development
This workshop includes scenario-based exercises; problem solving exercises; valuable group discussions; hands-on training; best practices; and resources.

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.

Recordings of past Webinars

(05/20) Using Performance Measures to Monitor Your Program and Plan for Success

(05/07) Hedging for Transit: Controlling Cost, Reducing Risk

(04/15) Writing Successful Grant Proposal

(03/27) Navigating Accessibility: Understanding Dixed Route & Paratransit ADA Requirements

(02/13) Civil Rights, Title VI, and the ADA

(01/09) Mobility Management & Community Engagement

(10/17) Addressing Program Sustainability

(9/18) Building Return on Investment through Public Engagement for Mobility Managers

(04/17) Sensitivity Training for Bus Operators

(04/01) The Power of Your Attitude in Determining Your Success

(03/20) 10 Steps to Strarting a Travel Training Program

(01/16) Knowing What Works: Metric & Methods to Evaluate Programs

(12/03) Preparing for a Triannial Review

(10/9) Digital Accessibility for Transport Professionals

(9/5) Transportation Emergency Preparedness