NationalRTAP

What NationalRTAP does

National RTAP (National Rural Transit Assistance Program) is a federally funded technical assistance program that supports rural and tribal public transit agencies across the United States. Established by Congress in 1986 under Section 16(h) of the Surface Transportation Act and operational since July 1, 1987, it operates under a cooperative agreement with the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and has been administered by the Neponset Valley Transportation Management Association (TMA) since 2008. The program is headquartered in Woburn, Massachusetts, with a small staff (1-10 employees), and its core constituents are rural transit agencies serving communities under 50,000 in population, federally recognized tribal transit programs, and the 50 state RTAP programs.

The program's product portfolio is organized as a platform-plus-modules architecture. The technology layer includes six web-based tools: GTFS Builder (transit data publishing to Google Maps and Apple Maps), Website Builder (a Section 508 compliant website platform with 55+ language support, v3.0 released in 2026), ProcurementPRO (federally-compliant procurement documentation), Cost Allocation Calculator, RideSheet, and the Rural Integrated National Transit Database (Rural iNTD). The training layer includes an eLearning platform with 47,549+ registered learners, free training modules, webinars, topic guides, and toolkits covering ADA, Bus Roadeo, Marketing, Transit Manager, and State RTAP Manager functions. The community layer includes peer forums (State RTAP Manager Forum, Tribal Transit Peer Forum), roundtables, biennial Technical Assistance Conferences, and Tribal Transit Mini-Conferences.

The business model is non-commercial: all products, training, technical assistance, and tools are provided free of charge to eligible rural, tribal, and small transit agencies and to state RTAP programs. The program is funded through an FTA cooperative agreement tied to the Section 5311 Non-Urbanized Transit Program formula funding, with pass-through grant programs (such as the $800,000 Community Rides Grant Program launched with CCAM-TAC in March 2026) layered on top. Distribution occurs through self-service technology tools, direct technical assistance requests, state RTAP program coordination, and FTA Regional Tribal Liaison networks.

Name

NationalRTAP

Legal name

NationalRTAP

Website

https://nationalrtap.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1987

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

NationalRTAP is a federally funded, FTA-administered technical assistance program that provides free training, technology tools, and peer networking to rural and tribal transit agencies and state RTAP programs across all 50 U.S. states and territories.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Rural Transit Technical Assistance

NAICS

Other Support Activities for Transportation (4889)

SIC

Transportation Services (4700)

akta.pro primary industry

Volunteer Driver & Community Transportation Programs (TLAFAKAH)

Keywords

• Rural transit assistance
• Tribal transit programs
• Transit technology tools
• Transit training resources
• Federal transit administration

Headquarters

HQ city

Woburn

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Software

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Federal Funding (FTA Cooperative Agreement): National RTAP is funded through a cooperative agreement with the Federal Transit Administration (FTA). As a federal program, all products and services are provided free of charge to rural and tribal transit agencies. The Formula Program for Rural Areas provides funding, with a portion reserved for National RTAP and the remainder distributed to states.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

National RTAP provides free web-based technology tools (GTFS Builder, Website Builder, ProcurementPRO, Cost Allocation Calculator, Rural iNTD, RideSheet) and training resources to rural and tribal transit agencies across the United States. It also delivers an eLearning platform, webinars, toolkits, technical assistance, and peer networking forums to support small transit operators with compliance, operations, and capacity building.

Product overview

National RTAP is a technical assistance program for rural and tribal transit operators, providing free resources through a platform-plus-modules architecture. The core offerings include training materials (eLearning courses, webinars, training modules), resource centers (topic guides, toolkits, best practices), technology tools (GTFS Builder, Website Builder, ProcurementPRO, Cost Allocation Calculator, RideSheet, Rural iNTD), and peer networking services (forums, roundtables, conferences). These products work together to support rural and tribal transit agencies with their technical assistance, training, technology, and coordination needs.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• GTFS Builder: Free tool to develop GTFS data for publishing transit services online on trip planners such as Google and Apple Maps.
• Website Builder
• ProcurementPRO
• Cost Allocation Calculator
• RideSheet
• eLearning

Products and services

• GTFS Builder A free web-based application that helps rural and tribal transit agencies create and publish General Transit Feed Specification (GTFS) data, making their services visible on trip planners such as Google Maps and Apple Maps. Enables agencies to deploy online trip planning in less than 90 days.
• Website Builder A free website creation and hosting platform designed for transit agencies, featuring drag-and-drop editing, mobile editing, 55+ language support via Google Translate, 508 compliance, and built-in reporting with Google Analytics integration.
• ProcurementPRO A procurement document generation tool for transit agencies providing federally-required clauses and certifications, full project documentation, checklists, and federal procurement guidance including thresholds for micro-purchases, small purchases, and large purchases.
• Cost Allocation Calculator A two-variable cost allocation tool that enables transit agencies to calculate and distribute costs across different services or programs for financial management and cost analysis.
• Rural iNTD Rural Integrated National Transit Database — a data collection and reporting tool for rural transit agencies to manage and report transit data.
• RideSheet A technology tool for managing and organizing ride-related information for transit agencies, launched in 2023 alongside Resources by Roles, Directory of Grant Managers, and Mobility Management Peer Forum.
• eLearning Platform Online learning management system providing eLearning courses for rural transit training, with over 47,549 registered learners as of 2025. Covers transit industry topics through structured course modules.
• Community Rides Grant Program Grant program providing funding to rural and tribal community-based transit projects, with awards ranging from $25,000 to $80,000 per project. In 2026, nearly $800,000 was awarded to 13 rural and tribal projects in partnership with CCAM-TAC.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 47,549 registered eLearners and growing adoption of eLearning platform
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration7 records

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and flagship.

• CCAM-TAC (Center for Connected and Automated Transportation - Technical Assistance Center)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 19 March 2026CCAM-TAC and National RTAP partnered on the Community Rides Grant Program, selecting 13 rural and tribal community-based transit projects for nearly $800,000 in total funding. The partnership leverages CCAM-TAC's technical assistance capabilities to support innovative transportation solutions in rural and tribal communities addressing access to employment, healthcare, education, and other critical needs.
• Federal Transit Administration (FTA)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational RTAP operates under a cooperative agreement with the Federal Transit Administration. The FTA provides formula funding through the Section 5311 Non-Urbanized Transit Program. National RTAP was created by Congress under Section 16(h) of the Surface Transportation Act in 1986 and began operations in 1987. The FTA oversees the program's mission to promote safe and effective public transportation in rural areas.
• Neponset Valley Transportation Management Association (TMA)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerSince 2008, Neponset Valley TMA has administered National RTAP under the cooperative agreement with FTA. The TMA provides organizational management, operational support, and administrative infrastructure for the program, enabling National RTAP to deliver technical assistance, training, and resources to rural and tribal transit agencies nationwide.
• FTA Regional Tribal LiaisonscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEach FTA Region has one or more FTA Tribal Liaisons who assist Tribal FTA grant recipients. National RTAP coordinates with these liaisons to provide comprehensive support to tribal transit programs, combining FTA oversight with National RTAP's specialized tribal transit technical assistance.
• State RTAP ProgramscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational RTAP supports state RTAP programs across all 50 states and territories through resources, events, the State RTAP Manager's Toolkit, peer roundtables, and the State RTAP Managers' Forum. State RTAPs provide training and technical assistance to rural transit agencies within their jurisdictions.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• RLS & Associates: Consulting firm specializing in rural and small urban public transit, providing training, technical assistance, and compliance support. Direct peer in serving rural and tribal transit agencies with similar service offerings.
• Shared-Use Mobility Center (SUMC): Non-profit that provides technical assistance, applied research, and resources on shared mobility, including for rural and tribal communities. Direct peer in mobility technical assistance; National RTAP's Technology Tools Lead previously worked there.
• National Transit Institute (NTI): Federally-funded program at Rutgers University providing training, education, and technical assistance to the public transit industry. Direct peer offering training and resources to transit agencies, primarily funded through FTA.
• Small Urban and Rural Transit Center (SURTC): University Transportation Center at North Dakota State University focused on small urban and rural transit research, training, and technical assistance. Comparable rural transit focus and academic/government hybrid delivery model.
• Community Transportation Association of America (CTAA): National non-profit that provides training, technical assistance, and advocacy for community and public transportation, including rural and tribal transit agencies. Direct peer in mission, audience, and service delivery model.

Broad incumbents

• TransitCenter: National foundation that funds research, analysis, and convenings on public transit. Adjacent in providing thought leadership and resources to the transit industry, though focused more on urban systems.
• American Public Transportation Association (APTA): Large national trade association representing the public transportation industry, including transit agencies, suppliers, and stakeholders. Broader industry umbrella with overlapping workforce training and member services for transit agencies.

Emerging players

• Eno Center for Transportation: Independent non-profit providing research, professional development, and policy analysis for transportation professionals. Adjacent in delivering training and resources to the transportation workforce.
• RideAmigos: Software company providing transportation demand management and commuter engagement platforms. Emerging technology peer with solutions that overlap with National RTAP's TDM-adjacent agenda and rural mobility initiatives.
• Center for Transportation and the Environment (CTE): Non-profit dedicated to advancing sustainable transportation through technical assistance, research, and project development. Adjacent in transportation-focused technical assistance and grant support, with overlap in transit-related projects.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/nat_rtap
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCc4brioxdz-zWOcgNOuOKXw
• Facebookfacebook.com/NationalRTAP
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/national-rtap
• Instagraminstagram.com/accounts/login

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about NationalRTAP