Local transportation service
responds to survey results
Over the past year, Washington and Lee University has partnered with Rockbridge Area Transportation System (RATS) to survey transportation needs and patterns in the area.
Some of those results are now in, and RATS is hoping to use them as evidence of the public transportation need in the community. Doing that will allow the organization to apply for extra grants and funding.
RATS is a local not-for-profit located in Lexington that provides transportation at reduced fares for the unemployed, disabled, and those without any other means of getting around.
"We want to know, be sure, and understand the total needs for transportation in the county," said Tim Root, executive director of RATS. "From there, we can figure out how to address them. We are hoping to use survey results as leverage for public transportation."
Only the first half of the results have been evaluated and tracked: statistics from student responses and those from the Maury River Senior Center, Rockbridge Area Community Board (RACB), and the Rockbridge Area Occupational Center (RAOC). Root said those statistics are pretty straightforward and what he expected.
Sandra Hayslette, service network coordinator for W&L’s Shepherd Poverty Program, helped organize the survey. She said questions asked included "where do people need to go, and might there be coordinated routes tapping a number of agencies?"
Hayslette said about 550 people were surveyed. Results are not yet conclusive, but "most of those surveyed at Maury River Senior Center, the Occupational Center, and RAOC and RATS use and appreciate the transportation services offered by the agency at which they were surveyed," she said.
While most students surveyed acknowledged a need to get around, many have their own cars or go with friends. The pending statistics from people who actually use RATS services will be more relevant to the study. The next results will be from community members and stakeholders such as the local governments.
Root’s vision for RATS is to create a public transportation system for the entire community.
"We want to use the survey results to justify a local transportation system," he said. "Our interest is in the community at large."
Now, the Maury River Senior Center, RACB and RAOC offer some transportation to their clients. Root noted, however, that it would be more efficient for all organizations involved if RATS took over primary transportation responsibilities so the other organizations could focus on the particular services they offer.
RATS is supported by donations and grants. The problem, according to Root, is that funds are limited and competitive.
Root hopes that the survey will help RATS receive a grant to pay for a mobility manager, a new position that could bring together all community transportation issues.
Produced by
Washington and Lee
journalism students.
Lead Supervisors:
Prof. Brian
Richardson
Prof. Phylissa
Mitchell
Editing supervisor:
Prof. Pamela Luecke
Technical supervisor: Michael Todd