Developing Enhancing and Sustaining Tribal Transit Services Transit

Developing, Enhancing, and Sustaining Tribal Transit Services Transit Cooperative Research Program (TCRP) Project H-38 The Guidebook was published in 2012 as TCRP Report 154. The research report was published in 2012 as TCRP Web-Only Document 54. The Phase 1 Booklet and Power. Point were published in 2011 as Native Americans on the Move. Billings Gazette photo by Larry Mayer. Reprinted with permission of The Billings Gazette.

Transit Cooperative Research Program Project H-38 Developing, Enhancing, and Sustaining Tribal Transit Services

Project Objectives • Develop an information package illustrating the variety of tribal transit programs • Prepare a guidebook for tribal transit programs • Develop strategies and materials for leveraging resources

Project Phases • Phase 1: Initial Data Collection – 95 tribes contacted – 67 responses • Phase 2: Detailed Data Collection – 48 tribes interviewed – 15 site visits

Tribes Interviewed in Phase 2

Tribes Interviewed in Phase 2

Products • Information package • Guidebook • Research report

Information Package: Booklet and Presentation • 16 -page printed booklet • 20 -minute Power. Point with narrative

Native Americans on the Move Challenges and Successes

Why Tribes Operate Transit Services “We had a member who was a non-traditional college student and needed to take a class to complete her degree in Great Falls, 160 miles away. By riding the bus, she was able to attend the class two days a week and complete the course. ” C. John Healy Fort Belknap

Why Tribes Operate Transit Services Jobs Education Medical Human Service Programs Dialysis Shopping

Tribal Transit Programs

Guidebook Purpose To provide guidance, information, and resources for tribal planners to develop or enhance a transit program that can be sustainable and will meet the needs of tribal members, non-tribal residents, and visitors

Contents of the Guidebook • • • Planning Considerations Overview of Planning Process Inventory of Transportation Resources Transportation Needs Assessment Developing Transit Vision, Goals, and Objectives Environmental Issues Transit Service Planning Funding Tribal Transit Programs Transit Program Implementation Tribal Transit Program Case Studies

KEYS TO SUSTAINABILITY

Keys to Sustainability • Planning • Local Leadership – Oversight and Responsibility – Support from Tribal Council – Support from Tribal Elders • Cooperation and Coordination – Cooperative Working Relationships – Participation in State and National Organizations • Trained Key Staff – Financial Management Capabilities • Multiple Funding Sources – Advocacy

PLANNING PROCESS

Planning Considerations • • • Tribal Sovereignty Tribal Governance Turnover in Tribal Council and Staff Effective Tribal Government Support Relationship with State and Local Governments • Funding • Qualified Employees • Adequate Facilities

Overview of Planning Process

FUNDING

Funding • Potential Funding Sources – Federal Transit Administration – Other Federal Programs – State and Local Funding • Innovative Approaches • Compliance and Reporting

Funding Sources • • Description of the Program Eligibility Program Contact Information Source

Innovative Approaches • Local Funding • Partnerships • Grants as Matching Funds

IMPLEMENTATION

Transit Program Implementation • • Operations Plan Organization and Administration Monitoring and Reporting Hazards and Maintenance Plans Marketing Plan Financial Plan and Budget Legal Issues Implementation Process

Challenges • Meeting FTA Requirements • Lack of Support from Tribal Council • Change in Administration

Contents of Research Report • • • Literature Review Research Findings Funding Tribal Transit Programs Mastering the Art of Transit Policy Issues Research Needs

Project Panel Chair: Ms. Emma Featherman-Sam Oglala Sioux Transit Dr. Frederick J. “Fred” Cowie Consultant Mr. Michael Ford Ann Arbor Transportation Authority Ms. Cynthia Gomez Shingle Springs Tribal Court Mr. C. John Healy Fort Belknap Indian Community Mr. Mark R. Hoffman Arizona DOT Mr. Shawn Klemens Menominee Public Transit Mr. John P. Smith Shoshone and Arapaho Tribes Ms. Arlene Templer Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes TCRP Senior Program Officer: Mr. Stephan A. Parker TCRP Senior Program Officer

Project Panel Liaisons Ms. Cathy Monroe Federal Transit Administration Ms. Lorna R. Wilson Federal Transit Administration Mr. Bernard Alkire Michigan Technological University, Michigan Tribal Technical Assistance Program (TTAP) Mr. Byron Bluehorse University of Alaska, Fairbanks, Alaska TTAP Ms. Pam Di. Giovanni National Rural Transit Assistance Program (National RTAP) Mr. Andy Coyle National Rural Transit Assistance Program (National RTAP) Ms. Vivian A. Philbin Federal Highway Administration Mr. Edward H. Hall, III Bureau of Indian Affairs Mr. Joseph Myers National Indian Justice Center, California/Nevada TTAP Ms. Raquelle Myers National Indian Justice Center, California/Nevada TTAP

Project Panel Liaisons Mr. Richard Rolland Eastern Washington University, Northwest TTAP Mr. Charles A. Rutkowski Community Transportation Association of America Ms. Gwen Salt National Congress of American Indians Mr. Dennis Trusty, P. E. United Tribes Technical College, Northern Plains TTAP Ms. Martine A. Micozzi Transportation Research Board

Project Team LSC Transportation Consultants, Inc. A. T. Stoddard, Principal Investigator Tangerine Almeida AECOM USA, Inc. Dave Sampson Jill Cahoon Peter Schauer Associates Peter Schauer Valerie J. Southern, Transportation Consultant, LLC Valerie Southern Colorado State University TTAP Center Ron Hall