Department Publication No. 307 September 2020 Assessment of North Dakota Mobility Options, Transit Needs, and Characteristics of Users Prepared for: North Dakota Department of Transportation Prepared by: Jeremy Mattson Dilip Mistry Jill Hough Small Urban and Rural Center on Mobililty (SURCOM) Upper Great Plains Transportation Institute North Dakota State University, Fargo September 2020 Assessment of North Dakota Mobility Options, Transit Needs, and Characteristics of Users Prepared for: North Dakota Department of Transportation By: Jeremy Mattson Dilip Mistry Jill Hough Small Urban and Rural Center on Mobility (SURCOM) Upper Great Plains Transportation Institute North Dakota State University, Fargo September 2020 Acknowledgements This research was funded by the North Dakota Department of Transportation. It was conducted by the Small Urban and Rural Center on Mobility (SURCOM), a program of the Upper Great Plains Transportation Institute at North Dakota State University. The authors acknowledge the guidance provided by Becky Hanson of the North Dakota Department of Transportation and members of the project advisory panel: Dale Bergman, Cities Area Transit; Susan Dingle, Bismarck Citizens Transit Advisory Group; Kimberly Gabriel, Department of Human Services; Michelle Gayette, Department of Human Services, Aging Services Division; Pat Hanson, South Central Adult Services; Brian Horinka, City of Minot Busing; Dawn Mock, Department of Human Services; Steve Saunders, Bis-Man MPO; Royce Schultz, Dakota Center for Independent Living; Pam Ternes, Standing Rock Public Transportation; Kayla Ver Helst, North Dakota Housing Finance Agency; and Lonnie Wangen, North Dakota Veteran Affairs. The authors also thank the transit agencies for distributing and collecting riders surveys and providing transit agency information. Disclaimer The contents presented in this report are the sole responsibility of the Upper Great Plains Transportation Institute and the authors. North Dakota State University does not discriminate on the basis of age, color, disability, gender expression/identity, genetic information, marital status, national origin, public assistance status, sex, sexual orientation, status as a U.S. veteran, race or religion. Direct inquiries to the Vice President for Equity, Diversity and Global Outreach, 205 Old Main, (701) 231-7708 ABSTRACT This study identified and analyzed existing transit and other passenger mobility options in North Dakota. Information about population growth trends and demographics across the state are described and used to identify areas with the greatest needs for mobility services. Transit service levels across the state are described, based on an analysis of existing data, as well as information collected through a survey of transit agencies. The availability and characteristics of other passenger transportation services was also documented. In addition to the transit agency surveys, surveys were conducted of transit riders and stakeholders across the state. Results from the rider surveys provided information about the demographics of transit users. Results from all three surveys were used to describe the adequacy of existing services and transit agency needs. Service gaps were identified by comparing service levels across the state to benchmarks, and the level of funding needed to fill these gaps was estimated. A state-of-good repair model was developed that predicts the service lives of vehicles and estimates vehicle replacement costs over time, including backlogged costs. The study provided information about how other states manage their state aid funds and also estimated the benefits of investments in transit in North Dakota. iii TABLE OF CONTENTS 2.1 County Level Population Estimates ................................................................................................ 3 2.2 Population Growth Estimates ......................................................................................................... 3 2.3 Projected Population Growth Estimates ......................................................................................... 4 2.4 Key Demographic Groups .............................................................................................................. 5 Population Aged 65 or Older................................................................................................. 5 Population Below the Poverty Level ..................................................................................... 8 Population with a Disability .................................................................................................. 9 Workers without Access to a Vehicle ................................................................................. 10 Population Densities by Demographic Group ..................................................................... 11 2.5 City-Level Population and Demographic Data ............................................................................. 13 4.1 Transit Agency Survey ................................................................................................................. 17 4.2 Transit Stakeholder Survey ........................................................................................................... 17 4.3 Transit Rider Survey ..................................................................................................................... 18 5.1 Data from the National Transit Database...................................................................................... 20 Data for Urban Transit Providers ........................................................................................ 20 Data for Rural Transit Providers ......................................................................................... 24 5.2 Survey of Transit Providers .......................................................................................................... 30 Types of Service Provided .................................................................................................. 30 Span of Service.................................................................................................................... 30 ADA Complementary Paratransit ....................................................................................... 32 Advance Reservation Time ................................................................................................. 32 Fares .................................................................................................................................... 32 6.1 Rural Transit Rider Demographics ............................................................................................... 34 6.2 Urban Transit Rider Demographics .............................................................................................. 37 Survey Responses ................................................................................................................ 38 Fare Category Ridership Data ............................................................................................. 41 iv 8.1 Taxi Services and Transportation Network Companies ............................................................... 53 8.2 Intercity Bus and Rail ................................................................................................................... 54 8.3 Veterans Transportation Programs ............................................................................................... 55 8.4 Other Transportation Services ...................................................................................................... 56 9.1 Adequacy of Services ................................................................................................................... 57 Need for New Services ........................................................................................................ 57 Meeting the Needs of Residents .......................................................................................... 58 Rider Feedback Regarding Satisfaction with Services and Challenges .............................. 62 9.2 Transit Agency Needs ................................................................................................................... 63 Facilities .............................................................................................................................. 63 Capacity to Serve Demand .................................................................................................. 65 Staffing Needs ..................................................................................................................... 66 9.3 Findings from Previous Studies .................................................................................................... 67 ND Moves ........................................................................................................................... 67 MPO Studies ....................................................................................................................... 67 10.1 Regions ....................................................................................................................................... 70 10.2 Service Benchmarks ................................................................................................................... 72 10.3 Existing Service Levels .............................................................................................................