Photo Credit: Alex Basaraba
Safe, reliable, and affordable public transit is essential for providing communities with access to vital services such as health care, education, and employment. In addition, it is responsible for creating a safer transportation environment by reducing crash rates. It also supports regional economic develop by improved connectivity to businesses. But what does it mean for rural communities specifically? In addition to providing rural community members with a lifeline to accessing basic services, public transit is vital to supporting economic growth and jobs, improving the quality of life for community members with disabilities, for individuals or families living below the poverty level, for community members without a driver’s license, and for households without cars. What do we know about rural communities and how will transit impact these areas?
1. Poverty is higher in rural areas than in urban areas.
In 2015, 16.7% of the population in rural areas were below the poverty line. This compared to 13% in the urban population, and only 10.8% of those living in suburban areas.1 According to a report released by CoPIRG and SWEENY in January, transportation is the second highest cost for households after housing.2 Especially in rural communities, where distances are large between commercial centers and other areas of use, households are dependent on vehicles. This means that for families that only have access to one vehicle or none, transportation needs impact their access to these essential services. According to the AAA Insurance company, the average cost for owning and operating a vehicle (in 2015) is $8,698, a cost that many find difficult to support.3 Transportation related costs can equate to nearly 42% of a family’s total income.4 This number is drastically higher compared to 9% of a family’s income that lives near shopping, work, and health care facilities.2 For low income families or for individuals that are unemployed, the financial strain from transportation related costs are experienced much more acutely, especially in rural communities.
2. The job market in rural America has not recovered from the recession.
In fact, the job market is 4.26% smaller than it was when the recession hit in 2008. Yet, rural areas have the highest rate of entrepreneurs and a higher rate of business survivability than urban areas.1 Public transit can help stimulate economic growth for a region by improving connectivity between community centers and its members. But most importantly, the transit system must be designed in a way that strategically supports the growth of the local economy. For example, a transit station in New Town could be designed to also host local business space for coffee shops or convenience stores. According to the Economic Development Research Group, every $1 billion invested in public transportation nation-wide results in 36,000 jobs, $3.6 billion in business sales and nearly $500 million in federal, state, and local tax revenues.4
In addition, having direct access to reliable transportation directly impacts a person’s ability to find work. It is much more difficult to find and keep a job without a car, especially in rural communities. According to the Leadership Conference Education Fund, “…those without access to cars—including low-income workers and people with disabilities—lose out on employment opportunities. Many workers without access to a car spend hours on multiple buses traveling to remote work places; some are unable to get to these jobs at all”.8 What does this mean for areas that don’t have public transit options? What does this mean for the unemployed? A recent report by the Brookings Institute indicates that of the workers who were unemployed long-term (27 weeks or more in a year) between 2008 and 2012, only 11% returned to “steady, full-time employment a year later”.9 The relationship between employment and access to reliable, affordable, and safe transportation options (like public transit) is at the heart of a strong economy for a rural community.
3. Disabilities and mobility limitations are more common in rural areas.
According to the American Community Survey, disability rates are at around 17.7% in rural areas. This compares to 11.8% in urban centers and 15.6% in smaller suburban areas. Rates of people with disabilities in rural areas range from 15% in the Great Plains area to nearly 21% in the South. Transportation is essential for individuals with disabilities or severe health concerns because many don’t have the option to drive cars. According to the Leadership Conference Education Fund, nearly 560,000 people with disabilities across the US never leave home because of transportation difficulties, a problem exacerbated by the rate of unemployment among those with disabilities (12.9%) compared to those without (8.7%).10
So what does this all mean for MHA Nation? What does this mean for Fort Berthold? The Fort Berthold Transit Program is at a critical stage in development. The success of this project is dependent on community engagement to define transportation issues on Fort Berthold and to ensure that the strategies for addressing them are culturally compatible and sustainable in the long term. Take this short survey to help shape the Fort Berthold Transit Program! http://www.fortbertholdplan.org/survey Not only will your survey answers help identify and define transportation issues on Fort Berthold, but you will be entered for a chance to win a $100 VISA prepaid gift card! Enter now and be sure to share this!
The Fort Berthold Regional Comprehensive Transportation Plan (www.fortbertholdplan.org) is designed around the unique culture, governance, and strategic goals of the Tribe, and is built to increase the knowledge and participation levels of Tribal members (on and off reservation) about future development; including outreach activities that engage the youth, elders, veterans, spiritual leaders, businesses, schools, programs, and neighbors. Our approach is designed to build trust and cohesion between Tribal government, local organizations, our Tribal communities, and other stakeholders and partners in the region in order to continue creating a brighter future for the next generations. If Fort Berthold wins – the entire region wins too!