Fixed-Route Bus Service Recommended for Jamestown

As part of an effort to improve service and reduce the cost of public transportation in Jamestown, N.D., SURTC researchers are recommending a modified fixed-route service.

"What is probably the most feasible is a flex route," says Del Peterson, the SURTC researcher who led a study of options for James River Transit. "The flex route allows riders to use a combination of the paratransit and fixed-route services at a lower cost than using the paratransit service solely."

The service would provide fixed-route service at a reduced fare to riders willing to walk to the route's path. However, the route would deviate within a few blocks on either side of its designated route to provide regular paratransit service at the paratransit fare. The route would run on a one-hour cycle with enough time between scheduled stops to allow for paratransit stops.

Another potentially feasible option is the half-town route. This route features hourly service to most transit destinations and to points generating most riders. A second bus could easily be added to reduce wait times and add capacity.

"We are tremendously excited about identifying additional transportation options for our passengers," says Carol Wright, director of James River Transit. "This is not an elimination of any service, but a way of reducing costs for some riders. Our goal is for a larger percent of our riders to have an appropriate level of service at a lower cost."

She notes that 97 percent of current riders are elderly, physically disabled, diagnosed with a chronic mental illness or developmentally disabled.

"We have large number of support services here, so we have a higher than average number of people with special needs," Wright explains. "That's all the more reason to explore development of a transit option like this. But we have to be sure that it meets the needs of the riders and not just the needs of the agency."

Currently, James River Transit's paratransit service charges $2.50 per ride. SURTC is recommending a fare of $1.50 for the fixed-route service. The study indicates that costs to James River Transit will drop as more riders switch to the fixed-route service. If 15 percent of riders switch, costs are projected to drop by nearly $40,000 annually.

Peterson and SURTC researchers Dustin Ulmer and Jill Hough surveyed Jamestown residents and held focus groups with riders to learn about needs and perceptions of James River Transit. The researchers also studied transit systems in similar-sized towns in other states.

The study was submitted to the North Dakota Department of Transportation for review. "Based on the recommendation in the study and from the NDDOT, we'll decide on the feasibility of adding service," notes Wright. "We'll take the recommendations and flesh them out with the costs of starting the service and maintaining it."

The study may have implications beyond Jamestown, Peterson says. "A primary goal of the study is to provide a useful tool for other transit agencies to utilize in determining whether or not a fixed-route bus system is feasible in their communities. Comparing Jamestown to other communities can give us insight into what options are available to transit agencies in small towns. Ultimately, we hope the research will be a stepping stone to the modernization of transit agencies across the region."

SURTC's final report is available at www.surtc.org/research/reports.php.

Campus Transit Research Complete

Metropolitan Area Transit (MAT) of Fargo-Moorhead is better able to serve the needs of students at North Dakota State University, Minnesota State University Moorhead and Concordia College thanks to SURTC research.

For the second year, SURTC staff surveyed more than 1,600 Fargo-Moorhead college students online to determine their transportation needs. The study explored options and opportunities in meeting those needs. Staff members Jill Hough, Del Peterson, Gary Hegland and Dustin Ulmer cooperated on the project.

MAT operates 27 fixed-route buses. The study determined when and where the heaviest student ridership took place, allowing MAT to adjust accordingly.

"We were able to justify adding a second bus on Route 13, the route that serves the NDSU downtown campus and NDSU," notes Fargo transit planner Mike Simonson. "The research made it much easier to make a case to the City Commission to put another bus on that route."

In addition to the changes made by MAT, Concordia College discovered there was enough demand among students to add taxi service for students. The $2 taxicab (called The Deuce) is available seven days a week from 9 p.m. until 6:30 a.m. and takes students from a business to a residence. It is similar to a service provided at NDSU.

Other results of the survey showed convenience, time and parking as primary factors affecting students' choice of transportation. The survey also revealed that students often didn't know about their transit choices.

The Fargo-Moorhead Metropolitan Council of Goverments and MAT worked with SURTC to analyzed the results and develop ways to improve student mobility. The complete report is available at www.surtc.org/research/reports.php.