Training & Outreach

SURTC to Offer Training to SMART in Detroit Metro Area

SURTC is helping a transit authority in suburban Detroit, MI, provide customized training for its drivers via DVD.

The Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation (SMART) includes about 60 community partners in three counties and provides transportation weekly for 200,000 riders. With the diversity of agencies involved in SMART it's difficult to get staff to traditional, classroom-based training.

With that limitation in mind, SURTC research fellow Gary Hegland has developed a series of video-based modules presented on two DVDs that cover the topics presented in the Passenger Service and Safety (PASS) Certification Program. "Drivers can work their way through the modules at their own pace and at their convenience," he says.

In addition, each module includes review questions to help assure that the participant has learned key points. The videos included on the DVD were gleaned from a variety of training videos and used with permission. "We didn't develop new material for this program, but repackaged it in a way that provides a comprehensive overview of the PASS training in a convenient package," Hegland says.

The training modules are being developed as a pilot program. "If things go well, it's likely we'll expand the program with SMART and we may customize or develop training programs for other transit agencies," says SURTC director Jill Hough. With that in mind, SURTC is making a significant contribution to the effort by covering administrative costs and some developmental costs.

Business Planning Taught and Practiced

Transit experts attending the Community Transportation Association of America's Expo in June will be able to learn how to develop a business plan. The one-day session is being taught by SURTC affiliate faculty member Jim Miller who knows the process first hand.

The session is an expansion of one taught via the Transportation Learning Network (TLN) in October. The course was designed to teach transit managers what a business plan is and how to develop one for their agency.

"A business plan is no more than a systematic analysis of your existing system, your customers, your services, facilities, management, and governance structure combined with an assessment of your future service and management options," Miller says. "In addition, a business plan includes ridership, revenue, and expense estimates for the next 3-5 years along with a capital budget for vehicle, equipment, and facilities capital needs."

While the TLN session provided a low-cost, convenient option for rural transit managers, the one-on-one nature of the session at the CTAA Expo will offer some advantages. "We'll be able to work through some examples, allowing participants to actually develop portions of a business plan," Miller says.

Miller practices what he preaches. He is working with River Cities Transit in Pierre, SD, to help that agency develop a comprehensive transit plan. "We're evaluating their services and their management - all of their functional areas, maintenance, scheduling, financial, everything," he says.

"We've identified five possible options for service expansion. Now we're looking at projections. What will the ridership be? What will they cost? Can they afford it?" Miller says. "We're helping them set priorities and make projections for three to five years out."