Partnerships: School and Community Transportation

David Ripplinger, Small Urban & Rural Transit Center

Individuals from western Washington, Denver, and northeast Iowa presented innovative techniques they have introduced using public transportation to meet the needs of both local schools and communities.

Dave O'Connell, Mason County Transportation Authority, Shelton, Washington, implemented a late-run school bus service to give students involved in extracurricular activities and others in the area a new transportation opportunity. Planning included a study of relevant legal requirements as well as a formal agreement between the Mason County Transit Association (MTA) and the school districts involved. The new bus service also spawned another partnership: the local Boys and Girls Club cleans area bus stops for the MTA in exchange for free field trips.

Jane Yeager, Seniors' Resource Center, Denver, Colorado, talked about a number of partnerships established between them and area groups. For example, a local senior resource center coordinates demand-response rides aboard the group's buses. They also provide fixed-route service, which is open to, but not regularly used by the public, to and from area Montessori schools.

Monica Roderick, transit system coordinator for the Northeast Iowa Community Action Corporation, described the partnership between the area's Head Start program and school districts which use the same drivers to provide service, especially during the summer months, sharing vehicles for field trips, and completing other group's courses, such as defensive driving and Commercial Driver's License, to complement their own.

Great Idea!

Many transit operators are looking for ways to make transportation more affordable for their clients. Dona of Southwest Transit has found a way to do just that in southwest North Dakota. She has contracted with both West River Health Clinic, since 1997, which serves the four counties Southwest Transit serves, and the two clinics in Dickinson as well as Dickinson's hospital, since 1998. These hospitals and clinics pay half the travel fare for the clients Southwest Transportation brings them for services. Schaff says the clinics and hospitals also feel a benefit from these agreements.

In this issue...

• Congratulations Top Drivers
• Learning Opportunities
• Ridership Reporting
• No More Excuses
• DHHS Proposed Rules
• Transit Safety and Security Awareness Program
• Bismarck Fixed-Route Bus Service
• Fruits of Cooperation and Coordination
• 2004 CTAA Annual Conference
• Be a Leader!
• Recruitment and Retention Strategies
• Issues in Head Start
• "In the Arena"
• Expo Overview by Linda
• Partnerships
• Legislative Update
• Marketing on a Shoe String Budget
• Cutting Edge Transit
• DTA Board Members