Utilization of MAT
A number of questions were asked to discern how faculty and staff viewed public transportation. We wanted a better understanding of their perceptions of the benefits of public transit, and if they had ever ridden public transportation. We asked those who had ridden the MAT system in Fargo-Moorhead about their experiences. We also asked what important characteristics they value about public transportation, what factors may discourage them from riding MAT and how long they are willing to wait for MAT.
Benefits of Public Transportation
Faculty and staff were asked to identify what they believed were the benefits of public transportation on campus. They believed there were a number of benefits, which are illustrated in Figure 12. The top benefits include: reduced parking demand (77 percent); reduced traffic congestion (75 percent); and environmental concerns (46 percent). From their responses, a good transit planning and marketing campaign would seem to entice them to public transportation and reduce the parking demand.
Figure 12. Benefits to Riding Public Transit
Experiences Riding MAT
Twenty-eight percent (90 respondents) of faculty and staff reported using the MAT bus. Those who used the system were asked to explain their experiences using MAT. Of those 28 percent riding, 82 percent said the bus was clean; 78 percent said the bus took them where they wanted to go; and 77 percent said the bus arrived reasonably on time (Figure 13).
Figure 13. Faculty and Staff Experiences Riding MAT
We asked the respondents about characteristics they might value as important for riding MAT. We listed eight potential characteristics and asked respondents to identify if they agreed, were neutral, or disagreed if the characteristic was important. The characteristics included: 1) free service; 2) less stress than driving; 3) convenience; 4) comfort; 5) drivers are friendly; 6) reliable/on-time; 7) environmentally friendly; and 8) serves the F-M area. Figure 14 contains the results of the respondents. The characteristic "serves the F-M area" received the highest number of individuals viewing that as important followed closely by "reliable service," and "friendly drivers."
Figure 14. Important Characteristic Values of Public Transportation
Factors that Discourage Use of MAT
Faculty and staff were asked what keeps them from using the MAT bus service. The highest reported reason (87 percent) was their preference to drive, walk or ride their bike. Approximately 52 percent said the bus took too long while 40 percent indicated there was no route where they needed to go. Thirty-three percent reported they believed there was a lack of information (Figure 15). These responses further substantiate the importance of mapping where faculty and staff live and offering route recommendations to MAT officials.
Figure 15. Factors that Discourage Use of MAT
Respondents were asked how long they would wait for MAT. Ninety-one percent reported 15 minutes while 7 percent reported 30 minutes (Figure 16). MAT often has a 30-minute headway serving the NDSU campus. It may be worthwhile to investigate the cost of having a 15-minute headway during the peak morning and afternoon travel hours to and from campus.
Figure 16. Time Willing to Wait for MAT
We asked faculty and staff to identify reasons they would ride MAT in the Fargo-Moorhead area. They were presented potential reasons and they were to reply "yes" or "no" for each possibility. The possibilities included: to go to another campus, to visit family and friends, shopping, to go to and from campus and to get around campus. Nearly 34 percent indicated they would take MAT to get around campus (Figure 17). Closely following, 28 percent indicated they would take MAT to get to and from campus. Almost 17 percent indicated they would take MAT to go shopping. Faculty and staff could conveniently ride MAT to go shopping at West Acres using Gold Route 20 during the noon hour or during another break during the day.
Figure 17. Reasons to Use MAT