Skip to main content
Rural Health Information Hub
Rural Health Information Hub

Workforce and Staffing Considerations for Rural Transportation Programs

Workforce and staffing considerations are a crucial component of any rural transportation program. It is important to determine the number of staff needed to operate a program and ensure that there are adequate staff to operate the program on an ongoing basis. In rural areas, creating new transportation jobs could provide an economic boost for the community.

Rural transportation programs may require different types of staff, such as:

  • Human resources staff
  • Customer service representatives
  • Dispatchers
  • Drivers/operators

Staff labor accounts for most of the operating costs for a transportation program. Programs should also consider trainings and certifications required for staff to operate transit equipment.

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) provides resources and support for public transit workforce development through the Workforce Development Initiative. Through this program, the FTA offers technical assistance and provides other resources to help states develop and sustain the transportation workforce. This technical assistance can help programs address and implement safety checks, additional accessibility measures, and other best practices.

A program funded by the Federal Highway Administration, the National Network for the Transportation Workforce, focuses on developing and strengthening the transportation workforce. It is made up of the following regional centers:

These regional workforce centers work on improving coordination of transportation services within their designated region to break down silos, improve efficiency, and reduce duplication of efforts.

Resources to Learn More

Grant Application Checklist for a Strong Transportation Workforce and Labor Plan
Website
Identifies the core components for developing a transportation workforce and labor plan when applying for a U.S. Department of Transportation grant. Includes a checklist of items and definitions to consider when developing the application.
Organizations(s): U.S. Department of Transportation

Small Urban and Rural Center on Mobility
Website
Offers resources including training courses, both onsite and online, workshops, conference presentations, and webinars on transit management for small urban and rural transportation workers.
Organization(s): Small Urban and Rural Transit Center

Workforce Development and Succession Planning to Prepare the Rural Transit Industry for the Future
Document
Describes the issue of an aging transportation workforce in rural America and methods employers can use to invest in their current workforce.
Author(s): Peterson, D. & Rieck, T.
Organization(s): National Center for Transit Research
Date: 7/2016