Resource Center

The Transit Workforce Center is pleased to host a curated collection of publications and other materials to assist stakeholders engaged in transit workforce development. The Resource Center includes case studies, training materials, research reports, and other materials of interest, including publications produced by federal government agencies, transit organizations, and independent research entities. Resources may be filtered by topic, resource type, and transit mode. This TWC blog post explains how to use the Resource Center.

We are continuing to update the Resource Center regularly. Please contact us via the Request Help menu option if you would like assistance using the Resource Center or are looking for resources on a particular topic. We also welcome suggestions of topics or specific resources to add.

Content in external resources linked from the Resource Center is solely the responsibility of the resource authors and does not necessarily reflect the perspectives of or endorsement by the Transit Workforce Center.

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Transit Cooperative Research Program Synthesis 190: Strengthening the Transit Workforce Through Operator Health and Wellbeing

TCRP Synthesis 190: Strengthening the Transit Workforce Through Operator Health and Wellbeing, produced by TRB’s Transit Cooperative Research Program, explores the psychosocial hazards faced by transit operators, the impacts of these hazards on operator health and wellbeing, and the state of the practice in policies and programs developed by transit agencies to address them.

National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine

October 2026

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Nearly all U.S. transit agencies face operator workforce shortages driven by demographic challenges, turnover, and job quality concerns. An aging workforce and pandemic-era retirements have intensified these shortages, while increases in roadway fatalities, road rage, violent incidents, and other safety concerns may contribute to actual or perceived workplace hazards. Transit operators also face significant job stress because they bear substantial responsibility for schedules, passenger safety, fare collection, and vehicle operation while having limited control over many factors affecting their work. These conditions can contribute to a range of physical and mental health risks, including cardiovascular disease, musculoskeletal disorders, fatigue, and post-traumatic stress disorder.

TCRP Synthesis 190: Strengthening the Transit Workforce Through Operator Health and Wellbeing, produced by TRB’s Transit Cooperative Research Program, explores the psychosocial hazards faced by transit operators, the impacts of these hazards on operator health and wellbeing, and the state of the practice in policies and programs developed by transit agencies to address them. The synthesis finds that psychosocial hazards are a significant concern for transit operators, particularly growing verbal and physical aggression from passengers, and that operators face elevated risks of physical and mental health conditions. Transit agencies use a range of programs and practices to address these hazards and promote operator wellbeing, although funding, staffing, and awareness challenges may limit their effectiveness.

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Understanding Passengers Who Have Experienced Trauma

This CTAA training was created for public transportation, NEMT, specialized transportation, and other drivers who interact with the general public on a daily basis. It’s purpose is to educate drivers on the impacts that past traumatic events can have on individuals and how those impacts may play out in a transportation setting.

Community Transportation Association of America

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Hydrogen Fuel Cell Electric Bus Workforce Development for Transit Agencies

This report aims to identify the knowledge, skills, and abilities needed for operators and maintenance technicians to work on fuel cell electric buses (FCEBs) as well as assessing current training programs and investigating effective workforce recruitment and retention strategies. The researches conducted interview with transit industry stakeholders, including from agencies, original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), training organizations, and industry associations. Findings suggested that, more than a training issue, working with FCEBs effectively is a system-level challenge. The report suggests developing curriculum frameworks for technician and operator training, developing talent internally, and creating apprenticeships and regional training consortia. Researchers also found that having a national certification, investing in regional training infrastructure, and building stronger community college partnerships are also beneficial for helping the workforce build skills for these vehicles.

Mineta Transportation Institute

August 2026

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link Hydrogen Fuel Cell Electric Bus Workforce Development for Transit Agencies
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Effective Mitigation Practices Fact Sheet

This fact sheet provides insight into the challenges and effectiveness experienced by transit agencies when using de-escalation training, operator barriers, patrol strategies, and policies and procedures to reduce assaults on transit workers and improve safety.

Federal Transit Administration

June 2026

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Working Together for Safer Transit: The Role of Joint Labor-Management Safety Committees

Under the Public Transportation Agency Safety Plans (PTASP) regulation, U.S. transit agencies and their frontline unions have formed safety committees comprised of equal numbers of labor and management representatives. This TWC brief explores strategies for effective labor-management collaboration on safety and opportunities for frontline worker training and upskilling facilitated by the joint committee structure.

Transit Workforce Center

April 2026

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FTA Safety Bulletin 26-01: Transit Worker Fatigue

FTA published Safety Bulletin 26-01: Transit Worker Fatigue with recommendations to transit agencies on how they can improve safety for workers and the public.

Federal Transit Administration

April 2026

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FTA published Safety Bulletin 26-01: Transit Worker Fatigue with recommendations to transit agencies on how they can improve safety for workers and the public.

link Read the FTA safety bulletin
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Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements

The Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) program is an initiative of the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) that provides grant funding for projects aimed at improving the safety, efficiency, and reliability of intercity passenger and freight rail. The goal of the program is to meet both current and future rail workforce demands by addressing key challenges such as an aging workforce and critical skill gaps. It also aims to prepare the workforce for advanced technology deployments and operational innovations, ultimately contributing to the stabilization and growth of the rail industry workforce. The program includes the Mineta Summer Transportation Academy.

Federal Railroad Administration

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Public Transit Workforce Development for Zero-Emission Vehicles

This TCRP report focuses on vehicle maintenance of battery-electric and fuel-cell transit buses, including case studies from transit as well as lessons from the automotive and school transportation industries. Recommendations include assessing workforce skills through skills-gap analysis, building a systematic process for building skills (including through frontline worker engagement and the creation of formalized training programs, e.g., registered apprenticeship), and working proactively on recruitment and retention.

Transit Cooperative Research Program

December 2025

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Contributor(s): National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine; Transportation Research Board; Transit Cooperative Research Program; International Transportation Learning Center, John Schiavone, Karitsa Holdzkom, Douglas Nevins, Michaela Boneva; Planning Communities, Ann Steedly, Brandy Hutson, James Farrell

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