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.
Principles of Effective Leadership (1.5-day, in-person)
Date: February 5-6, 2025
Location: AACOG, Art Training Room, 8200 Perrin Beitel, San Antonio, TX 78218
Time: 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 a.m. Central (Day 1) and 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. (Day 2)
Presenter: Carol Wright Kenderdine, Carol Wright Consulting
Description: In our day-to-day work life, we often become so bogged down with completing the necessary tasks and details that we do not take the time employ more leadership strategies into our work styles. In public transit, your life is hectic, your time is valuable, you are often overloaded, am you may sometimes feel like you are barely “hanging on.” Leadership is often the missing ingredient to greater productivity – not more work! While often we look to our managers as the “Leader,” everyone has the ability to lead others. This workshop demonstrates the essentials for effective leadership, identifies traits every leader should develop, and underscores the impact leadership skills can have on your life and the lives of those you lead.
Civil Rights, Title VI, and the ADA (webinar)
Date: February 13, 2025
Time: 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. Central
Presenter: Carol Wright Kenderdine, Carol Wright Consulting
Description:
As a transit agency, you are tasked with navigating a complex landscape of rules and regulations, often learning as you go while managing your daily operations. This webinar is designed to help you understand your vital responsibilities concerning Civil Rights, Title VI, and the Americans with Disabilities Act. You will have the opportunity to evaluate your agency's practices and explore best practices for effective policy development. Additionally, you'll gain access to valuable resources and have dedicated time for a Q&A session to address any specific challenges you’ve encountered.
Paratransit Maintenance Technician Workshop
Date: March 9-10, 2025
Time: 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Central (Day 1) and 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. (Day 2)
This session targets Paratransit technicians, maintenance supervisors, and maintenance managers.
Description:
Sunday, March 9, 2025, 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Topic: Braun Ramp and Dodge ProMaster Van Maintenance, Francois Caron, Braun Ramp Specialist
This session covers essential maintenance practices for Braun ramps and Dodge ProMaster vans to ensure reliability and longevity. It will highlight the importance of regular inspections, including checking door and ramp fasteners, lubricating hinge and pivot points, and keeping lower door channels clear of debris. Additionally, attendees will gain insights into routine maintenance tasks specific to Dodge ProMaster vans, learn how to identify potential issues early and receive key contacts for technical support and parts.
Monday, March 10, 2025, 8:30 AM – 11:30 PM
Topic: Common Vehicle Defects and Failures in Paratransit Vehicles, Simmon Johnson
This session focuses on common defects and failures in paratransit vehicles, providing attendees with the knowledge to identify, troubleshoot, and repair frequent issues. Participants will learn to recognize common problems, understand their root causes, and follow step-by-step diagnostic procedures to restore vehicle functionality. The discussion will be tailored to the specific vehicle types used by attendees, addressing unique challenges faced by different operators to ensure practical and relevant solutions.
Monday, March 10, 2025, 1:30 PM – 3:30 PM
Topic: Managing your fleet video systems, Chris Ishmael, CWI Digital Systems Specialist
This session covers best practices for fleet video systems, including installation, troubleshooting, and file management. Learn optimal camera placement, system checks, preventative maintenance, and integration with other vehicle systems. Topics include troubleshooting common issues, offloading video files via various methods, and managing playback, storage, and incident files.
Heavy-Duty Technician Workshop
Date: March 9-10, 2025
Time: 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Central (Day 1) and 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. (Day 2)
This session targets heavy-duty technicians, maintenance supervisors, and maintenance managers.
Description:
Sunday, March 9, 2025, 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Topic: Maintenance Best Practices and Interdepartmental Collaboration, Kevin Bunce
This session covers maintenance best practices and interdepartmental collaboration to improve transit operations. Topics include systematic maintenance schedules, data-driven failure prevention, employee retention strategies, and fostering communication between operations, dispatch, and maintenance teams.
Monday, March 10, 2025, 8:30 AM – 11:30 PM
Topic: Preventative Maintenance and Troubleshooting for Voith Transmissions, Dan Hollenbach (Voith Group)
This session focuses on preventative maintenance and troubleshooting for Voith transmissions. It will cover essential maintenance practices to extend transmission lifespans and ensure optimal performance. Attendees will also learn how to identify common transmission issues, systematically diagnose and resolve problems, and utilize Voith’s support services for more complex challenges.
Monday, March 10, 2025, 1:30 PM – 3:30 PM
Topic: Managing your fleet video systems, Chris Ishmael, CWI Digital Systems Specialist
This session covers best practices for fleet video systems, including installation, troubleshooting, and file management. Learn optimal camera placement, system checks, preventative maintenance, and integration with other vehicle systems. Topics include troubleshooting common issues, offloading video files via various methods, and managing playback, storage, and incident files.
Rural & Small Urban Transit Service Design for the Future: The Art of Science
Date: March 9, 2025
Time: 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Central
Presenter: Ken Hosen and Todd Hansen, KFH Group, Inc.
Description:
The theory and practice of rural transit service design has changed dramatically since the 1990s. Innovations in service designs and technology have driven these changes. Unfortunately, many rural systems are still operating 1990s services and losing out on potential ridership. The developments over the last five years tell us it is time to think in the year 2024 and use the combination of proper service design/planning and the appropriate technologies to enhance service, improve ridership and raise the stature of your system.
This introductory workshop, part of a series on rural transit service design, is focused on the basic theories that drive ridership in rural and small urban areas. All of the designs reviewed are proven in the rural transit world and many examples in Texas and across the country will be cited. The workshop will give the participants an understanding of the most appropriate 2024 service designs/options. Each of the service designs will be discussed in the context of the wide variety of service areas.
The last part of the workshop will include an exercise where participants will be able to apply what they learned in the presentation. The present-er will select an example of a real rural system and have all the participants review the service and apply the lessons learned in the session.
Giving Effective Presentation
Date: March 9, 2025
Time: 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Central
Presenter: RLS
Description:
Speak, present, and communicate with poise and power! Effective public speaking is key to your professional success and corporate image. Learn techniques to turn any presentation into a rewarding experience for you and your audience.
In this workshop, you’ll gain confidence, refine your speaking style, organize your message, and conquer the fear of public speaking. RLS will guide you through essentials like preparing strong beginnings, using visuals effectively, and handling speech anxiety. Plus, you’ll practice both impromptu and prepared presentations with personalized feedback.
If you need to give presentations, serve on panels, or speak at meetings, this workshop will boost your skills and confidence.
Workplace Impairment Training
Date: March 9, 2025
Time: 1:00 p.m. – 4:300 p.m. Central
Presenter: April Ramos, National Safety Council
Description:
This interactive, scenario-based course introduces a six-step process for responding to potential impairment in the workplace. Participants will explore how the scope of impairment has expanded to include a wide range of issues such as drugs and alcohol, over-the-counter medications, fatigue, stress, and mental distress.
The course addresses critical questions, including: What is the relationship between impairment and workplace safety? What factors and situa-tions can cause impairment? What are the common signs and symptoms of impairment? How should I respond when observing impairment in the workplace? What are the impacts and costs of employee impairment on a company’s bottom line? What resources are available to help recognize and address impairment in my workplace?
Managing Operational and Capital Costs at Rural and Small Urban Transit Systems
Date: March 9, 2025
Time: 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Central
Presenter: Michael Walk, TTI
Description:
In an era of rising costs, Texas rural and small urban transit agencies require effective knowledge, practices, and tools to manage operational and capital expenses. This workshop condenses 2.5 days of content developed by TTI with support from TxDOT into a focused training session. Partici-pants will gain an overview of the Guidebook and Online Course, both available at no cost, and will explore foundational concepts in cost manage-ment, including transit cost drivers, cost analysis, and reporting. The course also addresses strategies for managing directly operated labor and fuel expenses, as well as vehicle-related costs such as maintenance and replacement.
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.