The High Cost of Rural Public Transit

Getting people around Miami County is an expensive proposition

On Tuesday, the Ohio Department of Transportation announced a new series of grants for public transit systems across the state of Ohio. In total, over $106 million in state and federal pass-through funds will be distributed across the state to support 384 transit projects. These funds will be used by local transit authorities for various activities, including expanding transit fleets, replacing vehicles, preventative maintenance, facility upgrades, new equipment and technology, and operational assistance.

Governor Mike DeWine stated in a press release, "This funding will help ensure that transportation is not a barrier to opportunity. We are improving the quality of life for Ohioans who depend on public transportation to access jobs, education, and medical services."

Jack Marchbanks, Ohio Department of Transportation Director, added, "Transportation isn’t just about moving vehicles; it’s about moving people. These grant funds are central to ODOT's mission to make transportation accessible, especially in our rural communities."

The Need for Public Transit in Miami County

Here in Miami County, the Board of County Commissioners can expect a check totaling $1,683,193 from the state to help fund the operations of the Miami County Transit Service, along with capital dollars to assist in purchasing three new buses.

$1.6 million is a significant amount, particularly for something as crucial as public transit. For anyone closely monitoring the quality-of-life and workforce development issues in Miami County, transportation consistently emerges as one of the most pressing concerns. In fact, just last week, the Miami County Department of Development reported that transportation issues were preventing people from joining the workforce. This publication covered that report in detail.

So, the question remains: If the state is investing over $1.6 million in local transit, how costly is it to run a transit system? To put it plainly, it is very expensive, almost astonishingly so.

Inside Miami County Transit

The Board of County Commissioners oversees the county transit system, known as Miami County Transit Service. Initially managed by the Miami County Community Action Council, legal requirements and funding challenges have shifted the system's oversight to the county commissioners approximately twenty-five years ago.

Each year, the Ohio Department of Transportation releases their Annual State of Transit report, which provides data on every transit system in the state. According to the report, the Miami County Transit system operates six days a week, from Monday through Saturday, from 5:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., and on Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. As of 2020, the system operated 23 vehicles and employed 28 people. The cost per trip is $4. Annually, the system costs roughly $1.1 million to run, providing 33,010 rides and traveling 333,610 miles. On an average day, the Miami County Transit System travels over 1,000 miles, providing transportation to over 100 people.

Fixed-Route and Demand-Response Systems

Public transit is often associated with fixed-route systems, which are more common in urban areas and operate on set schedules and routes. However, in Miami County and other rural areas, a demand-response system is used. A comparison of the two systems reveals each has its strengths and weaknesses.

Fixed-route systems operate on specific routes with predetermined stops and schedules, offering limited flexibility but serving high-demand areas efficiently. These systems typically require significant upfront investment in infrastructure and vehicles but can benefit from economies of scale in densely populated areas, potentially reducing the per-passenger cost over time.

On the other hand, demand-response systems, also known as "dial-a-ride" or paratransit, offer door-to-door or curb-to-curb service based on individual passenger requests. This model provides high flexibility and is ideal for areas with low passenger density or for individuals who cannot use fixed-route services. While demand-response systems have lower upfront costs, they may incur higher operational costs due to the personalized service, potentially leading to higher per-passenger costs.

Comparing Miami County with Other Systems

Although the $4 fare for a one-way ride on the Miami County Transit Systems might seem steep, it's important to understand that fares cover only a small portion of the total system cost. According to the Ohio Department of Transportation, the average cost per trip for the Miami County Transit bus is $28.09; the $4 fare covers approximately 14% of the total cost. This level of expense is consistent with other local transit systems that utilize a demand-response model.

Can We Go Fixed-Route?

Some readers might wonder if transitioning to a fixed-route model would reduce costs. For example, the Springfield-Clark Area Transit System’s fixed-route cost is $14.19 per trip, significantly lower than the cost of demand-response trips. However, the suitability of a fixed-route system depends on having a critical mass of users and a set of common destinations. In rural systems, where destinations and schedules vary widely, a demand-response system, despite its higher costs and initial barriers to use, can offer unparalleled convenience once passengers are accustomed to the service.

Fixed-route systems require sufficient demand and strategically located stops to be effective. Without these, potential users may seek alternative transportation methods, underscoring the challenge of adapting public transit models to meet diverse community needs.

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