The SWTA Summer Leadership Lab is coming together, and you won't want to miss what's planned for September 13–15, 2026, in Breckenridge, Colorado!

Registration is now open, the hotel block is available, and the agenda is continuing to grow with outstanding educational sessions, industry experts, and interactive learning opportunities.

Leadership Lab begins with a Welcome Reception on Sunday evening, followed by the Public Transit Legal Symposium on Monday and two specialized learning tracks on Tuesday—Marketing & Communications Lab and Mobility Management: SWTA Nation in Motion.

Whether you're interested in leadership development, legal and regulatory updates, innovative mobility solutions, or strengthening your agency's communications and community engagement, Leadership Lab offers practical education designed specifically for today's transit professionals.

Planning to stay a little longer? Leadership Lab is immediately followed by the CASTA Fall Conference & EXPO and the State Partnerships Conference, making it easy to enjoy an entire week of professional development, networking, and collaboration in one incredible destination.

The agenda continues to evolve as additional speakers and session details are announced, so be sure to check back often for the latest updates.

Register today, reserve your hotel, and join us in Breckenridge for an unforgettable week of learning, leadership, and connection!

Federal transportation funding is at a pivotal moment as Congress begins work on the next Surface Transportation Authorization. In this month's message, Executive Director Heather Dalmolin shares how SWTA is advocating for dedicated federal transit funding, protecting the interests of our members, and ensuring the voices of the SWTA Nation are heard throughout the reauthorization process.

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has announced $610 million in competitive funding through the FY 2026 Grants for Buses and Bus Facilities Infrastructure Programs.

• Funding is available through two programs:
  Grants for Buses and Bus Facilities Program – Supports the purchase and rehabilitation of buses and vans, as well as the construction and modernization of bus-related facilities.
• Low or No Emission Grant Program – Provides funding to purchase or lease U.S.-built low- and no-emission transit vehicles, along with related charging infrastructure, equipment, and facility improvements.
  This funding represents an excellent opportunity for transit agencies to replace aging fleets, modernize facilities, and invest in sustainable transportation solutions.

Application Deadline: September 21, 2026
SWTA encourages member agencies to begin preparing applications now and review the Notice of Funding Opportunity for eligibility requirements and submission instructions.

Don't miss this opportunity to secure funding for your agency's future. Visit the FTA website for complete application details.  

Be part of the inaugural SWTA Leadership Lab, coming September 13–15, 2026, in Breckenridge, Colorado! This interactive leadership experience will bring together transit professionals, executives, board members, legal experts, marketing professionals, mobility innovators, and industry partners for three days of collaboration and professional development.

Exclusive sponsorship opportunities—including the keynote, reception, interactive labs, meals, water bottles, lanyards, and more—are available on a first-committed basis. Best of all, your commitment reserves your sponsorship, and payment is not due immediately.

Reserve your sponsorship today and showcase your organization’s commitment to developing the next generation of transit leaders. Contact Michelle Robertson at mrobertson@swta.org or reserve your sponsorship online. 

Transit agencies throughout the Four Corners region are strengthening partnerships to help prevent human trafficking and protect vulnerable youth. In collaboration with TAT (Truckers Against Trafficking), nearly 200 transportation professionals, law enforcement officials, tribal leaders, educators, and community advocates gathered this spring to develop regional strategies for identifying, preventing, and responding to trafficking and exploitation.

Several SWTA member agencies participated in the initiative, reinforcing the critical role public transit plays in recognizing the signs of trafficking, reporting suspicious activity, and connecting vulnerable individuals with resources. The collaboration also introduced new outreach materials specifically designed for Native and Indigenous youth and caregivers, helping address the unique challenges facing communities across the Four Corners region.

As the initiative continues, TAT will expand free training opportunities and educational resources for transit agencies and community partners.

Learn more about TAT's Youth on Transportation Initiative

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has introduced Transit Moves America, a new online data portal that provides easier access to public transit safety, security, accessibility, reliability, and performance information from agencies across the country.

Using data from the National Transit Database, the portal features monthly updates for safety and security metrics, annual accessibility and efficiency data, national averages, agency-specific performance, and operating cost information for the nation's largest transit systems.

The launch supports FTA's ongoing efforts to improve transparency and follows its recent Request for Information on measuring transit service quality.

Explore the new Transit Moves America portal and learn how this resource can help your agency benchmark and improve performance.