WTI

Opportunity Link Public Transportation Implementation Plan

Primary Investigator Contact Information

External Project Contact(s)

Report(s)

There are no reports associated with this project.

Project Objective

The objective of this project is to develop a plan for implementing a public transportation (transit) service that would serve Blaine and Hill counties in Montana.

Project Abstract

Frontier areas of Montana face many challenges, including transportation within, and to small communities (towns), as well as transportation to larger communities. People living and traveling in frontier areas need reliable transportation for a variety of purposes, including employment and educational opportunities, as well as for medical, recreation and other “life” purposes. The goal of this research project, which will be conducted by the Western Transportation Institute working in cooperation with Opportunity Link, is to develop a plan for implementing a public transportation (transit) service that would serve Blaine and Hill counties; including submitting an application to the Montana Department of Transportation (MDT), to obtain funding for a transit system. A secondary goal is to ensure coordination between the proposed system and any other public transportation systems in the area. The Western Transportation Institute will collaborate with Opportunity Link to develop the plan by reviewing current information and communicating with other relevant stakeholders, including other public transportation systems in the area, the Montana Department of Transportation, counties, and tribal organizations.

Task Descriptions

1. Project Management
   1. The purpose of this task is to provide for overall management during the course of the project, including meetings, teleconferences and reporting activities.
2. Data Collection and Analysis
   1. Researchers will gather all necessary information so that a general public transit system can be recommended for implementation. The data collected will be analyzed to provide the foundation for a coordination plan that would be part of the application to MDT for transit funds.
3. Coordination Plan
   1. As required by the MDT application, a coordination plan will be developed to show the existing resources available for a transit system, and how the various stakeholders will work together to implement and support the proposed transit system. A Transportation Advisory Committee (TAC) may be formed as part of this task.
4. System Recommendations
   1. Based on the data collected and input from key stakeholders, recommendations will be made on how to implement a public transportation system in the region. The recommendations will include data on costs, possible sources of funding, and general information on routes and schedules.
5. MDT Application
   1. The team will use the transit plan and system recommendations to develop an application for transit funds from the Montana Department of Transportation to implement the public transportation system as defined by this project.

Milestones, Dates, Schedule

Student Involvement

False

Relationship to Other Research Projects

True

Technology Transfer Activities

True

Transportation Research Board Keywords

Public transportation, transportation coordination, transit development, rural transportation

Partners