Training and Outreach
SURTC Expands PASS Training
 Since SURTC began the PASS Driver Certification program in North Dakota, South Dakota, and Utah, more than 200 drivers have been certified and 16 people are now certified to teach the training, according to Gary Hegland, SURTC's coordinator of training and outreach.
Hegland was certified as a trainer last year at a session held in Oacomo, SD, sponsored by SURTC and the Dakota Transit Association. He now works with agencies across the region to provide the program to their drivers. The training teaches drivers to deal with people with varying disabilities, including how to load them onto wheelchair lifts and to ensure they have a safe and secure ride.
Not only do drivers learn how to transport passengers safely and securely, they also learn how to be sensitive to the special needs of the passengers. "We talk to them about 'people first' language. They are not disabled people, but rather people with disabilities," Hegland explained.
Hegland says interest in the training is continuing to grow, and more training sessions are being scheduled for this winter.
Not only has the training expanded from its beginnings, many transit agencies have reported more complimentary phone calls from passengers following the completion of the training. Ron Baumgart, director of River Cities Transit in Pierre, SD, said his office has received double the amount of complimentary phone calls the office normally receives.
The future goal for PASS training is to continue to offer the training to new bus drivers, and recertify those who have already gone through the training. "There's a fair turnover in bus drivers around the two states, so in the future we'd like to continue to provide the PASS training to all new bus drivers," Hegland said.
Carol Wright, SURTC Associate Director of Training and Outreach, is also certified for the training and feels it is an important endeavor. "There aren't very many training opportunities available for drivers, and this is one that is very practical. It teaches skills that drivers can learn and use on the job every single day," Wright said.
The Ninth Annual National Tribal Transportation Conference featured transit planning sessions for the first time this year thanks to help from SURTC.
Dennis Trusty, director of the regional Tribal Technical Assistance Program in Bismarck had worked with UGPTI and SURTC on previous projects and requested help in planning the sessions. This year's conference was held Nov. 13-16 in Cabazon, CA.
"Previous conferences have been focused largely on roads and bridges, but this year, expanded sessions in transit planning were included because of new transit funding available through the new federal Transportation Bill," notes SURTC specialist Jon Mielke. "As a consequence of that funding, the sessions generated considerable interest at the conference."
He explained that SURTC organized three sessions for the conference. The first focused on transit basics such as types of transit services, funding sources, benefits of transit services and basic concepts of transit planning. Representatives from the Community Transit Association of America conducted that session.
Two half-day sessions provided content more in-depth content on key topics for rural transit systems. SURTC instructor Jim Miller presented a session on developing business plans for transit agencies. Mielke presented a session on creating a transit development plan. He used SURTC's work with Rolette County and the Turtle Mountain Indian Reservation as a case study in that course.
SURTC staff members Carol Wright and Gary Hegland presented a course in human resource management at the Utah Urban/Rural Specialized Transportation Association Annual Conference in Salt Lake City in September.
The seminar is one of several training courses offered by SURTC. It provides tools to assist new and experienced transit supervisors, managers, and directors select and manage employees. It is designed to walk employers through the hiring process and the development of an effective employee handbook. At the conclusion of the session, participants each receive an employee handbook template they can customize for their own agencies.
"Employee selection and hiring are the most critical management functions for developing and maintaining a vibrant, customer service-oriented and successful company," Wright notes. "When managers consistently do an excellent job in selecting and hiring the right staff and management adheres to established company standards, a better workforce will result. Employees are the most valuable asset an organization has, so it is of utmost importance that leadership hires the best and treats employees professionally and fairly."
Wright is SURTC's associate director of training and outreach. She is a Certified Community Transit Manager and was a director of transportation services for more than 11 years. Gary Hegland is SURTC's training and outreach coordinator. He is a Certified Transit Program Administrator and has significant experience in employment issues from his previous employment at Job Service North Dakota.
Canine Mobility!
Rover's Playhouse, a Fargo dog daycare, grooming, pet boarding and pet supply enterprise also has its own bus. This eye-catching vehicle is an attention-getter for the business which uses it as a marketing tool. Dogs love it because they don't have to chase cars anymore — they can take the bus!
Raising money for transit operations is always a challenge. SURTC offered a seminar focusing on numerous ways of generating operating capital. The seminar was held Oct. 18 in Bismarck, ND, and Nov. 9 at the Utah Transit Authority Training Center in Salt Lake City.
"The rules and regulations vary from state to state in terms of financial assistance available to transit systems," noted Gary Hegland. "This seminar focused on investigating an organization's situation and brainstorming funding options based on the skills, abilities and knowledge of the staff."
Hegland conducted the seminar along with Ron Baumgart, executive director of River Cities Public Transit in Pierre, SD. The seminar was intended for transit managers, board members and transit bookkeepers.
 In cooperation with the North Dakota Department of Public Instruction, SURTC researcher David Ripplinger conducted a School Transportation Efficiency training program across the state in 2005 and 2006. The final sessions in the training were offered in October, November and December in Devils Lake, Bismarck and Valley City.
In total, the training consisted of nine modules. Topics included coordinated maintenance, routing, technology, finance, safety, and security. The 2005 North Dakota Legislature provided funding for the program through the Department of Public Instruction.
Ripplinger says many rural districts are facing declining tax bases and declining enrollments. This forces them to look for ways to be more economical and efficient in transporting students. "The training exposed superintendents to concepts and fundamentals that will help them do a better job with their transportation programs," he says.
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