Student Transit Fees – Research Data: Bourne Transit Consulting LLC – Transit Management, Safety, Training, Marketing, Mediation Services

Consulting services for small urban, rural and university transit operations.

Image of Campus Transit bus at stop

Student Transit
Fee-supported Services

Student Transit Service
& Policy Checklist Quiz

Student Transit Fees:
Research Data

Transit Funding

Student Transit Service & Policy Checklist Quiz

The Check List below provides a sample of the activities that students should be involved in to create and maintain a robust transit system that serves the university community as well as the general population. Add up your “Yes” answers to determine how effective your transit system is today.

Service

Do students ride fare free on campus circulators?	Yes	No
Do students ride fare free city-wide on the local transit system?	Yes	No
Do the campus circulators operate at a 10-minute or less frequency?	Yes	No
Do city routes operate at 15-minute or less frequency on some routes that have high student ridership potential?	Yes	No
Do you have Safe Ride service on Fri. and Sat. nights?	Yes	No
Do you have Safe Ride service on Wed. and/or Thu nights?	Yes	No
Does Safe Ride operate at 20-minute or less frequency?	Yes	No
Are there connections to airports, AMTRAK, or intercity bus?	Yes	No
Are bus stops marked and in safe locations?	Yes	No
Is real-time bus schedule information available on your cell phone?	Yes	No

Policy

Is there a student transit director position in student government?	Yes	No
Do students have one voting position on the transit policy board?	Yes	No
Do students have two voting positions on the transit policy board?	Yes	No
Is there a student or university representative on the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) policy board?	Yes	No
Are Federal Transit Administration (FTA) funds used to pay for up to 80% of the cost of new buses?	Yes	No
Does the transit system receive funding from your state transit funding program?	Yes	No
Does the transit system receive FTA operating funds? (for cities less than 200,000 population)	Yes	No
Is there a contractual agreement between student government, the university, and the local transit system?	Yes	No

Add up your score here...

Service

8 – 10	You have a high-functioning, progressive transit system, keep up the good work!
5 – 7	Your transit system is developing; keep pushing for more service.
1 – 4	Hopefully, you are just getting started and can identify lots of opportunity for improvement.
Zero	Time to create some proactive initiatives for transit service!

Policy

8 – 10	Your transit system is maximizing state, local, and federal funding and you probably have a very cost-effective system that minimizes student fees while providing the most service.
5 – 7	You have a good transit system that probably meets many of the transit needs of the university community.
1 – 4	There are many opportunities to develop improved relationships with your local transit system.
Zero	Time to create some proactive initiatives for transit service!

If your scores fell into the lower ranges, consider giving Bob a call or e-mail to help you identify how to improve your college or university transit system. He can be reached at 515-233-2232 orbob@bournetransit.com.