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| Volume 18, Issue 1 | Winter 2006 |
SURTC Discussion Board Gary Hegland, Outreach and Training CoordinatorSmall Urban & Rural Transit Center Fargo, ND You may ask the question, "What is a discussion board?" It is SURTC's intention that a discussion board be used to facilitate communication among individuals interested in transit. It will also be used to inform you of recent research updates, training options, and other relevant information for rural and small urban transit. This discussion board can be used to share best practices, ask questions, or just voice concerns and frustrations. If you recall, SURTC introduced the discussion board a couple of years ago with a challenge and the award of some Terry Redlin paintings. There have been a few questions over the past months, but very low traffic. SURTC would like to encourage continued use of the discussion board and proposes a new plan for this year. The state transit association presidents from the Dakotas, Montana, Utah and Wyoming have been asked to identify current issues they are facing with transit services. The results will be compiled and used to post a different question to the board each month in 2006. Please go to our website at www.surtc.org/signup/dboard.php to register and become a user. It is important that we have your e-mail address so that SURTC can e-mail you directly anytime a message is relayed on the discussion board. There is no formal restriction on the questions. They may be on scheduling, bus driving, management, insurance, risk management, training, bus accident reporting, supervisory issues, government regulations, grant opportunities, local match, transit employee professional development issues, hiring and firing of employees, developing transit development plans, transit policy manuals, training manuals, personnel policy, bus maintenance, lift operating procedures, procurement guidelines, disposing of used property, dealing with people with disabilities, sensitivity training, and all sorts of ADA challenges, issues and policies. This is only a partial listing; there are many more subjects and issues transportation specialists deal with on a daily basis. It's easy to sign up for the SURTC discussion board. Just follow the guidelines on the website and be on the lookout for activity. Respond to questions, read the stories, and be eager to assist each other in improving effective and efficient transportation services to our customers. Buying Vehicles under North Dakota State BidA few months ago, Bruce Fuchs began investigating the feasibility of allowing transit projects funded through NDDOT to purchase standard passenger vehicles under the North Dakota state bid. Thanks to his tenacious efforts and his unwillingness to "let the ball drop," this possibility became a reality in December. Bruce arranged for two North Dakota transit projects, which had previously been approved to purchase vehicles, to buy seven-passenger minivans under the state contract. On Dec. 22, Sally Kiniske, from Pembina County Meals and Transportation, and Garnet Lukenbach from Wells/Sheridan transit traveled with Dave Leftwich and Bruce Fuchs from the NDDOT to Nelson Motors in Fergus Falls, MN, to place orders for their new vans. Nelson Motors holds the current state contract for motor pool purchases. When buying a vehicle under the state contract, there are not a lot of choices and decisions that need to be made. The vans come with standard equipment (complete with some very nice features), and you can choose from several standard vehicle colors. Because projects do not have to go through the formal bidding process, it shortens the delivery timetable. Even with the holiday delays, these vehicles will be ready for delivery in late February or early March. If you have been approved for a minivan purchase, the new state procurement procedures are the way to go. Thanks Bruce, for your many efforts on our behalf to make this available to us. Human Service CoordinationThe Metropolitan Transportation Initiative (MTI) is a standing sub-committee of the Fargo Moorhead Council of Governments (COG) focused on human service transportation and coordination. The committee originally formed in 2002 and has evolved into its present state. The mission of MTI is to overcome transportation barriers to employment for economic self-sufficiency through coordination and expanded service. The committee is composed of members that represent a diverse set of agencies helping clients in the community, including transit, private employers, social service, job placement agencies, community action groups, city planners, state DOTs, and adult education providers. The committee is coordinated by Wade Kline, Metro COG'S Community Development Planner, and worked to produce the 2003 access-to-jobs plan. The plan identified major transportation barriers to employment in the FM metropolitan area and identified a list of projects aimed at the barriers. After creating a solid plan for increasing access to jobs, MTI was able to secure Job Access Reverse Commute funds (JARC) for the area. The group also developed a cost-sharing mechanism to pay for the cost of hiring a Regional Transportation Coordinator (RTC). The coordinator is responsible for implementing the projects with the JARC funds and also for outreach and education on transportation in the metro area. Since FM Metro COG brought on the RTC in September 2004, it has been able to place nearly all of the JARC funds in project form and secure the needed 50 percent match the funds require. Several job access projects are for fixed-route transit.  MTI has also put together a program that offers free or reduced-cost bus passes to those in need with Community Development Block Grant Funds from the City of Fargo. With JARC funds becoming FTA formula program 5316, MTI is in the process of updating its current job access plan to incorporate the human service transportation language from SAFETEA-LU. The coordination that started in 2002 has enabled MTI to accomplish many things. The coordination of transportation and information sharing will allow MTI to continue working on job access in the future and offer Fargo-Moorhead area residents more options for getting to work.
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