Innovations in Rural Transportation Planning

Northcentral Montana

Presented by:Jim Lyons, Director of TransportationNorth Central Montana Transit and Opportunity Link

Innovations in Regional Rural TransportationRegional Public Transportation SystemFacilitated establishment of 6 new rural transit systems in North Central Montana (Northern Transit Interlocal, Fort Belknap Transit System, North Central Montana Transit, Rocky Boy Transit, Toole County Transit, and Glacier County Transit)

Opportunity Link’s Homegrown Strategies in Regional Transportation Planning• Together with communities, developed a regional transportation

plan with options for local and/or coordinated implementation• Facilitated planning, if needed• Neutral convener to ensure inclusive, multi-jurisdictional

participation in planning process• Horizontal, networked approach for collaboration and leadership• Provided technical assistance on rural public transportation

with local expertise (Western Transportation Institute)

www.opportunitylinkmt.org

North Central Montana Transit Fixed route system; NCMT & Fort Belknap Transit sharing of buses, drivers, routes and other resources; YouthBuild North Central Montana to expand program reach; Project GreenBuild in renovating transit facility; Sharing of staff to manage Havre-Hill County Airport; Boys & Girls Club summer routes to increase program participation; Volunteer garden at NCMT facility provides fresh produce to food bank, soup kitchen

Biodiesel DemonstrationNCMT use of locally produced biodiesel; BNSF Railways use of Montana biodiesel to test effect on locomotive switch engine and injectors in severe winter conditions; Montana biodiesel made available at local fueling stations; National Biodiesel Board Diesel Technician training to dispel biodiesel myths; Developing a community-based oilseed industry that provides 10% fuel independence to oilseed producers, farmers for farming operations.

www.opportunitylinkmt.org

Community-Supported Transportation Projects

NCMT Innovation in funding (2011 snapshot)• MDT Operations Assistance ($117,000)• Job Access and Reverse Commute ($50,000)• Montana State University Northern ($10,000, in-kind biodiesel

equivalent to $15,000)• MSUN Youth Build North Central Montana ($10,000)• Hill County ($15,000); Blaine County ($15,000)• Fort Belknap Indian Community (in-kind Green Line route

equivalent to $25,000)• Rocky Boy Transit (in-kind coordinated Blue Line route equivalent

to $5,000)• Opportunity Link ($30,000, in-kind administrative & operations

support equivalent to $10,000)• Bullhook Clinic and other partners ($2,000)• Fares ($14,000)

2012 to 2014• Aggregating services (airport management)• Community partnerships for services(Boys & Girls Club route,

Harlem school teachers, Triangle Telephone)

$318,000

NCMT Funding and Sustainability

For more information, contact:

Jim Lyons, DirectorNorth Central Montana Transit(406) 265-3699jlyons@ncmtransit.orgwww.ncmtransit.org

Barbara Stiffarm, Executive DirectorOpportunity Link, Inc.(406) 265-3699bstiffarm@opportunitylinkmt.orgwww.opportunitylinkmt.org

WE RIDE THE LINE

5-part web series of videoshttp://www.opportunitylinkmt.org/projects.php