Researchers Work to Improve Transit in Rolette County

Coordinated transit activities were given high priority in the new Transportation Bill (SAFETEA-LU) and consequently coordination is a high priority for North Dakota's Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa and Rolette County.

SURTC research fellows Jon Mielke and Gary Hegland are working with officials there to develop a coordinated transit plan as required for local agencies to receive federal funding from the Federal Transit Administration. "Ultimately, our goal is to help them develop a plan that will expand and improve much needed services to the area," Hegland notes.

Rolette County is served by three transit providers: Nutrition and Support Services which provides the senior meals program and transit for Belcourt; Nutrition United Inc. which provides senior meals and transit for Rolette County; and Royal Coach Transportation, a commercial transit provider.

More than 15 additional agencies have indicated that improved transit is a high priority for successfully reaching clients. Examples include the Turtle Mountain Community College which indicates enrollment suffers because students lack transportation; local health care agencies say clients have difficulties reaching medical facilities; and the local Job Service office finds that many in employment training programs drop out because they do not have reliable transportation.

Hegland notes that Rolette County and the Turtle Mountain Reservation are more densely populated than much of rural North Dakota and the poverty, health issues and educational needs make improved transit a priority. "There is a lot of need there," he says.

Mielke and Hegland are meeting with the transit providers and other agencies to evaluate current services and to look for duplications and gaps. They will also discuss ways the agencies might better coordinate their services. "In some cases, the way services are paid for makes money ineligible for matching against federal funds," Hegland says. "At times, organizational and managerial practices may be changed or altered slightly to improve the potential for gaining access to additional funding for transit."

In addition, the researchers will visit with stakeholder groups such as senior citizens, tribal groups and others to determine how satisfied residents are with current services and determine priorities for improved service. The project is expected to be complete in about nine months.

Events Calendar

• CTAA - EXPO 2006, Jun. 3-9, 2006, Orlando, FL
• WYTRANS - 18th Annual Conference and Bus Roadeo, Jun. 21-24, 2006, Riverton, WY
• ITSA - 2006 National Rural ITS Conference, Aug. 13-16, 2006, Big Sky, MT
• DTA - 2006 Annual Conference & Roadeo, Sept. 23-27, 2006, Spearfish, SD
• APTA - Annual Meeting & EXPO 2006, Oct. 8-11, 2006, San Jose, CA
• TRB - 86th Annual Meeting, Jan. 21-25, 2007, Washington, DC

Please check www.surtc.org for updates.