Utilization of MAT

A number of questions were asked to discern how faculty and staff view public transportation. We wanted a better understanding of their perceptions of the benefits of public transit, and to learn if they had ever ridden public transportation.

First, survey respondents were asked if they have used and were familiar with the MAT. Less than 36 percent of respondents specified that they were familiar with MAT (Figure 7.10). This shows a large untapped market among MSUM faculty and staff.

Faculty and staff were asked to identify what they believed were the benefits of public transportation on the MSUM campus. The top benefit among respondents was reduced parking demand, followed by reduced traffic congestion, and environmental concerns (Figure 7.11).

Among faculty and staff who have ridden a MAT bus, the outlook is quite positive. More than 90 percent felt that the bus was clean, and almost 80 percent of respondents rated the other characteristics as favorable (Figure 7.12).We also asked respondents about characteristics they might value as important for riding MAT. Reliability scored highest among categories at 90 percent followed by it serves the Fargo-Moorhead area (78 percent) and the drivers are friendly (78 percent) (Figure 7.13).

Faculty and staff were asked what keeps them from using MAT bus service. The highest reported reason was their preference to drive, walk or ride their bike. It takes too long was the next answer of choice followed by no route where I need to go (Figure 7.14).

Respondents were asked how long they would wait for MAT. Fifty-nine percent reported they would wait 15 minutes, 14 percent would wait 30 minutes, and 27 percent would not wait for a MAT bus (Figure 7.15).

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 reason. Just under 30 percent of respondents indicated they would use MAT to get around campus, and 16 percent indicated they would use MAT to get to and from campus (Figure 7.16).

Finally, faculty and staff were asked what they consider reasonable walking distance given a temperature above 32 degrees and above 32 degrees. Discrepancies began to occur at the half-mile to one-mile walking distance (Figure 7.17). Forty percent of respondents indicated they would walk between one-quarter and one mile if the temperature was above 32 degrees, but only 11 percent indicated they would walk the same distance in temperatures below 32 degrees. On-campus transit could increase ridership during winter months according to these results.

Campus Accommodations for Transit

Transit accommodations can make riding the bus more appealing. We asked faculty and staff three questions including: their desire for more and heated shelters, if they would ride a campus circulator with 15 minute intervals, and their willingness to ride MAT buses at a reduced rate or for free.

Fifty-two percent of respondents indicated they would like to see more bus shelters on campus and 46 percent specified they would like the shelters to be heated (Figure 7.18).

Next, faculty and staff were asked if they would use a campus circulator to get around the MSUM campus. Thirty-two percent of respondents specified they would use a campus circulator and 68 percent said they would not use the circulator (Figure 7.19).

Finally, faculty and staff were asked their willingness to ride a MAT bus at a reduced rate or for free (Figure 7.20). Thirty-six percent of respondents indicated they would ride a MAT bus if a reduced price monthly pass was offered, and 50 percent specified they would ride the MAT if it were free.