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.

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Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Funding Opportunities

This is a searchable tool to help sort through the nearly 400 funding opportunities in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Users can search by funding agency, categories/topics, and eligible applicants.

Local Infrastructure Hub
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Good Transit Requires Well Paid Union Workers

This report presents bus operator wages as compared with Area Median Income in 30 cities across the U.S., pointing out that in the last two decades, starting wages for our nation’s bus operators have fallen seriously behind the cost of living. In the face of a workforce shortage, the report makes the case for decision makers to ensure higher wages for frontline transit workers.

The National Campaign for Transit Justice
March 2024
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3 Ways to Make Bus Driving a Better Job

This report highlights ways that bus driving can be improved for workers to help increase retention and recruitment. The report explains three specific ways: redesigning the job for health and success, raising pay and creating opportunities for advancement, and making a more flexible schedule.

The National Campaign for Transit Justice
March 2024
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Innovations Deserving Exploratory Analysis (IDEA) Programs

Administering Agency: Transportation Research Board

Closing Date for Applications: May 15, 2024

Funding Range: Grant award maximum:  $100,000

Geographic Scope: National

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Description: The Transit IDEA Program is a part of the Transit Cooperative Research Program and is designed to foster innovative concepts that have the potential to enhance security, increase ridership, improve efficiency for transit agencies, and protect the environment. IDEA programs differ from traditional research programs in two ways: IDEA projects are initiated by researchers rather than by a request for proposals, and funding can support initial testing of unproven concepts. One of IDEA’s high priority areas is “improving transit patron and employee environment for health and safety.”

Public transit agencies can’t apply directly, but can be partners in developing proposals, participate in the project generally, and test prototypes.

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Vehicle Technologies Office (VTO) Technology Integration (TI) Funding Opportunity

Administering Agency: US Department of Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

Posted Date: Feb 12, 2024

Closing Date for Applications: Concept papers due Mar 12, 2024; Full applications due Apr 30 at 5 pm ET

Geographic Scope: National

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Description: This FOA seeks applications to address outreach, education, technical assistance, workforce training, and other innovative demonstration or deployment projects that advance the mission of an affordable, equitable, and decarbonized transportation system.

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Intelligent Transport Podcast: Discussing the creation of ‘Mentors Moving Metro’

“Mentors Moving Metro” is a partnership between Metro and the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 587 that will match experienced operators with new, part-time operators for six to 12 months. In this podcast discussion, Metro’s Director of Bus Operations, Phil DeVault, and transit operator and ATU member, Patrick Brady, talk about how “Mentors Moving Metro” is helping foster relationships and provide knowledge that can only come those who have been “in the seat.” They discussed the origins of the program, how mentors can be a morale boost for operators, and how it can foster greater interaction between operators and  management. They finished the podcast by discussing their vision on developing it from a mentorship program to an apprenticeship program for drivers joining Metro in the future.

Intelligent Transport
March 2024
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Environmental and Climate Justice Community Change Grants Program

Administering Agency: Environmental Protection Agency

Posted Date: Nov 21, 2023

Closing Date for Applications: Nov 21, 2024

Funding Range: Total funds available:  $2,000,000,000 — Grant award maximum:  $20,000,000

Geographic Scope: National

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Description: The Community Change Grants will fund community-driven projects that address climate challenges and reduce pollution while strengthening communities through thoughtful implementation. There will be two tracks of funding under this opportunity. Track I will fund approximately 150 large, transformational community-driven investment grants of $10 million – $20 million. Track II will fund approximately 20 meaningful engagement grants of $1 million – $3 million. Grants cannot exceed 3-years in duration. These programs will address the diverse and unique needs of disadvantaged communities by:

  1. Reducing and preventing pollution;
  2. Building resilience to climate change and mitigating current and future climate risks;
  3. Enhancing meaningful involvement in government processes related to environmental and climate
    justice;
  4. Expanding access to high-quality jobs and economic opportunity through workforce development;
    and
  5. Bolstering community strength by ensuring that local residents receive the benefits of investments
    and have the opportunity to build on them for current and future generations.

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Joint Office of Energy and Transportation Workforce Development Resources

The Joint Office of Energy and Transportation (Joint Office) supports the deployment of zero-emission, convenient, accessible, and equitable transportation infrastructure. In addition to providing direct funding support for workforce development, the Joint Office has collated example resources to support workforce development activities for an electrified transportation system.

Joint Office of Energy and Transportation
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