Ridership on Bismarck/Mandan’s public fixed-route bus transportation service, Capital Area Transit (CAT Bus), has reached 73,835 for January-June 2012. This is an increase from 62,160 in 2011 at this time and is the highest January-June ridership since service began in 2004.
An upturn in Bismarck/Mandan population, addition of a travel training program, and a rise in the overall awareness about CAT Bus have influenced the increase in ridership numbers.
CAT Bus drivers have been noticing a number of new faces boarding the buses. Through conversations they have learned the new riders recently moved to the Bismarck/Mandan area including a number of foreign exchange students who use the bus system to access work and school programs. Many of the new riders come from communities with public transportation systems, so they are used to bus services and find it to be a more convenient and inexpensive option compared to the cost of car ownership and maintenance.
The travel training program started by CAT Bus in 2009 has encouraged more people to try using public transportation to access jobs, school, volunteer experiences, appointments, shopping, etc. The program provides resources for new and potential riders including brochures, a website, and workshops. An on-staff travel trainer also is available, free of charge, to accompany new people on their first couple trips using CAT Bus. This experience helps increase the comfort level for the riders while giving the staff member an opportunity to explain the CAT Bus routes and time schedules one-on-one.
The focus of the travel training program has been to encourage the general public to try using CAT Bus and to help Bis-Man Transit door-to-door paratransit riders understand and become comfortable with the fixed-route service. Bis-Man Transit paratransit was started in 1990 to provide transportation services for persons with disabilities and seniors age 60 and older. Paratransit riders must fill out an application to become members and rides currently cost $2.50 each way for the paratransit service and must be scheduled at least one day in advance. The same ride costs $.50 each way for paratransit members choosing to ride CAT Bus fixed-route and allows more independence since rides can be taken the same day instead of having to be scheduled in advance.
Bis-Man Transit started Capital Area Transit (CAT Bus) fixed-route bus service in May 2004 to serve the public transportation needs in the Bismarck and Mandan communities. It operates Monday-Saturday and fares are $1.25 for adults and $.50 for students K-12, persons with disabilities, seniors age 60 and older, and Medicare cardholders who provide proper verification. 1-day and 30-day passes are also available. For more information, go to www.thecatbus.com or call (701) 323-9228.