What the Latest NTD Reporting Updates Mean for Transit Agencies

The National Transit Database (NTD) is the primary source for data collection and reporting on public transportation in the United States. Managed by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), the NTD helps ensure accountability and transparency for public funds used in transit. Every year, transit agencies that receive federal funding must submit detailed reports on their services, finances, and operations. Transit data provides valuable insights into the efficiency and effectiveness of transit systems, enabling better decision-making for agencies, policymakers, and the general public.

However, staying compliant with NTD reporting can be a challenging task for many transit agencies, especially in light of the recent changes in the reporting guidelines. These changes require agencies to adapt quickly, revise their data collection processes, and maintain accuracy in their submissions. TransTrack's products can play a crucial role in helping agencies navigate these challenges smoothly.

Overview of Recent NTD Reporting Changes

The National Transit Database (NTD) reporting requirements have undergone several recent updates, with key changes that transit agencies must take into account.

Weekly Ridership Reporting

A major shift in the NTD process is the move to weekly reporting for ridership data through the newly introduced WE-20 form. This change, spurred by the COVID-19 pandemic, now requires a sample set of agencies to submit ridership data weekly rather than monthly. The goal of this shift is to provide the FTA with more timely insights into national transit trends, helping to capture fluctuations in ridership that might result from external factors such as pandemics or major weather events. Agencies are still reporting the same data—unlinked passenger trips (UPT) and vehicle revenue miles (VRM)—but now on a weekly basis to track patterns more accurately.

Random Sampling

To avoid overwhelming smaller and rural agencies, the FTA has implemented a random sampling process for both large and small transit agencies, including those serving rural and tribal areas. These agencies will be chosen randomly and will only be required to report data for a limited period of time. The stratified random sampling ensures that both small and large agencies are adequately represented in national datasets.

GTFS Feed Changes

Agencies must now reflect any long-term service changes, such as route alterations or new stops, in their General Transit Feed Specification (GTFS) data. While temporary detours or short-term closures do not need to be included, the FTA will perform periodic checks to verify that agencies maintain accurate and up-to-date feeds.

The Impact of NTD Reporting Changes on Transit Agencies

• Time and Staff Challenges: The recent NTD reporting changes introduce substantial time and resource challenges for agencies. Already operating with constrained schedules and limited staff, transit agencies may find the added complexity of new reporting requirements overwhelming. Staff capacity may be strained as agencies must now manage increased data collection and submission demands on top of their existing workloads.
• Updating Automatic Passenger Counters (APCs): While automatic passenger counters (APCs) can simplify ridership data collection, the FTA does not mandate their use for the new NTD reporting requirements. However, some agencies may choose to install or upgrade APC systems to enhance their reporting capabilities. Doing so can require significant time and financial investment, particularly for agencies looking to integrate APCs fleet-wide.
• Collecting Complex Data Fast: The NTD updates require transit agencies to report key metrics like vehicle revenue miles (VRM) and unlinked passenger trips (UPT) on a weekly basis. The accelerated reporting schedule can pose challenges, especially for agencies that need to calculate these figures from raw data. Additionally, staff may feel unequipped to manage the technical requirements, such as setting up or maintaining GTFS feeds.

How TransTrack’s Products Address the New NTD Reporting Requirements

In the face of these requirements, transit agencies need an effective solution to manage their NTD reporting efficiently and accurately. This is where TransTrack’s software comes into play.

TransTrack offers a robust solution for transit agencies dealing with the evolving complexities of NTD reporting. Our software tools are specifically designed to simplify the data collection and reporting processes, ensuring compliance with updated NTD requirements while reducing the burden on agency staff. In fact, transit agencies can complete 95% of their annual NTD reporting in one click with TransTrack!

Here’s how our software can help:

• Automates complex data collection and reporting processes
• Consolidates data from multiple sources
• Reduces errors from manual entries and saves time
• Ensures compliance with updated NTD requirements
• Includes built-in templates and reporting structures
• Offers real-time data validation

San Joaquin RTD: NTD Reporting Success Story

One transit agency that has successfully navigated the complexities of NTD reporting with the help of TransTrack’s tools is San Joaquin Regional Transit District (RTD).

"Take the mystery off NTD preparation and have some consistency in your agency reporting. TransTrack allows for cross-collaboration across all departments, so you can collectively see where you need to make improvements." - Gloria Salazar, San Joaquin RTD, CEO

San Joaquin RTD not only met its compliance deadlines but also saved valuable staff time that could be redirected to other critical tasks.

“The one thing TransTrack continues to provide is the cost of service, particularly by category and that is very important for our funding. We need to match our revenues against our service expenses. By using TransTrack we can see where we need to focus on based on the measurement of ridership, revenues, and costs. TransTrack’s analytics provides us with the information we need to ensure we meet our funding requirements." - Gloria Salazar, San Joaquin RTD, CEO

How to Get Started with TransTrack for NTD Reporting

If your transit agency is looking to simplify NTD reporting and stay compliant with the latest FTA guidelines, getting started with TransTrack is easy. Here’s how:

1. Request a Demo: Start by requesting a personalized demo of TransTrack’s NTD reporting tools. Our team will walk you through the software’s features and show you how it can meet your agency’s specific needs.
2. Understand the Implementation Process: Our experts will work with your agency to create a smooth implementation process. We’ll integrate TransTrack with your existing systems and help you get everything set up for seamless data collection and reporting.
3. Access to Training and Onboarding: Once the software is in place, your team will have access to comprehensive training and onboarding resources. We provide support every step of the way so your staff is fully equipped to use the system effectively.

The recent changes to NTD reporting requirements may challenge transit agencies, but the right tools help them overcome these obstacles efficiently. TransTrack’s software simplifies the reporting process, ensures compliance, and reduces the burden on agency staff. By automating data collection, offering real-time validation, and providing tailored solutions for transit agencies, TransTrack empowers agencies to focus on what they do best—delivering high-quality transit services.

If you’re ready to streamline your NTD reporting and stay compliant with FTA guidelines, schedule a demo with TransTrack today and see how we can help your agency succeed.