MISSOULA RAVALLI TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION INC

The first Missoula Ravalli Transportation Management Association (MRTMA) vanpool began operating between Hamilton and Missoula on August 11, 1997. The initial ridership consisted of 4-6 daily commuters, and 2-3 occasional riders. During the course of the first week of operation, the number of individuals riding continued to increase. By the end of the second week of operation, there were 11 consistent commuters.As of June 30, 2025, there were twenty-one vans in the vanpool program. In FY 2025, the vanpool program served commuters living in rural areas located outside the Missoula Urban area, as well as Missoula residents working in outlying counties, Gallatin County residence working at Wheat Montana and Greater Gallatin Landscape Construction and Bridger Bowl Ski Area. The vanpools now serve communities in 4 counties and 15 different work sites. The vanpool participants contribute to the program by covering the weekly gas costs and a portion of the insurance and maintenance costs. The value of this program is evident by the coordination and cooperation of the riders of the various vanpools.Carpool activities continue to supplement the vanpool program. The rideshare program, which matches commuters with similar home and work pickup and drop off points within a certain area is continually being offered to those commuters unable to utilized the vanpool service. This service continues to be instrumental in providing an additional option for those commuters that might have non-traditional work schedules or work in an area of Missoula that is not currently being served by the vanpool or local transit system. Commuters receive a list of potential partners and are encouraged to solicit those individuals on the list to form a carpool. Combined statistics since the inception of the carpool and vanpool programs in 1996 through June 30, 2025 show a total of 773,865 vehicle trips saved; 315,174,754 miles NOT traveled and 1,375 of reduction in vehicle emissions. MRTMA continues to utilize UBER, LYFT, BitterRoot Bus, Huckleberry Express Taxi, Bitterroot Valley Taxi and CSKT Tribal Transit to provide a Guaranteed Ride Home service to all of MRTMAs registered carpoolers and vanpoolers. If an emergency arises and the individual needs a ride home and doesnt have transportation available, they simply call a cab or UBER. The driver will pick the person up at their employment site and drives them to the appropriate park-and-ride lot. Riders are reimbursed for the cost of the ride, as long as they are registered with MRTMA within the carpool and vanpool programs.Park and Ride sites have been established at various stops along the vanpool routes extending to the rural areas west and north of Missoula.Before originating a new vanpool, MRTMA staff travels the route to determine the best and safest places to implement these parking areas for commuters. Businesses and individuals are contacted about assisting in establishing these Park and Ride locations. All people contacted have been supportive of the vanpool service and most people have agreed to join in the effort by allowing the use of part of their parking areas. Letters are then sent to each individual to confirm and document the verbal agreement made by both parties in establishing these areas for this specific use.MRTMA currently has 29 established park-and-ride locations. In the fiscal year 2024-2025 staff has assisted the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, Lake County Council on Aging, Western Montana Area on Aging and Mission Mountain Enterprises in completing necessary supporting documents for their 5310 Capital Assistance, 5311 Operating Assistance and TransADE funding from the Montana Department of Transportation grants. Staff has also assisted in securing Coordination Agreements in the development of Community Transportation Coordination Plans with many area providers. Staff continues to administer an Emergency Transportation Voucher program through the Lake County Transportation Advisory Committee. The program provides bus passes or gas vouchers for low-income individuals needing non-emergency medical transportation, job interviews or bus passes for crime victims. It also will provide a one-month bus pass to individuals upon hire. Since inception the program has provided 996 rides to individuals who have no other transportation options. The program continues to operate 7 vanpool routes for workers employed at Designs for Health, the major employer in Arlee. MRTMA staff serves as the Chair of the Ravalli County Transportation Advisory Committee. During FY 2025 staff provided technical assistance to the BitterRoot Bus and assisted in developing the Community Transportation Coordination Plan. MRTMA staff serves as the Chair of the Valley Veterans Service Center. Staff continues to assist the Valley Veterans Service Center in Hamilton with transportation and grant assistance. Many of the veterans continue to have trouble using DAV and VTS transportation services. MRTMA is providing one minivan and lift-equipped van for client trips to Missoula and Helena, as well as, rides to services DAV cannot provide due to VA policies. Statistics since inception of the transportation program in July 2016 show a total of 1,994 vehicle trips and 67,049 accumulated miles through June 30, 2025. MRTMA staff serves as the Chair of the Sanders County Transportation Advisory Committee. During FY 2025 staff provided technical assistance to the Sanders County Council on Aging transportation services. During the period MRTMA staff was elected to service as Chair on the Sanders County Council on Aging Board and Transportation Advisory Committee. MRTMA staff serves as the Chair of the Mineral County Pioneer Council Transportation Advisory Committee. During FY2025 staff provided technical assistance to the Council's volunteer Board. Staff assisted the Pioneer Council in securing a CARES ACT and 5339 grants to build a transit facility in Superior. Staff is heading up the construction phase of the transit facility. CARES Act and 5339 Bus/Bus Facility funds have been awarded to cover the cost of construction through the Montana Department of Transportation. Construction is estimated to be complete by fall 2025. MRTMA staff assisted the Seeley Lake Community Foundation in providing operating funding for the I Ride Seeley Lake transportation program. MRTMA staff is still providing technical assistance to the Foundation. The Executive Director was asked to serve on the Transit Cooperative Research Program Screening Panels 1 & 2. A virtual meeting took place August 14th. The Executive Director reviewed the following deliverables:TCRP D-23 Guidebook for Planning and Constructing a Small and Rural Tribal Transit Facility.NCHRP 08-144 Rural Transit Fleet Mix and Vehicle Size Decision TreesNCHRP 08-130 Best Practices in Coordination of Public Transit and Ride SharingNCHRP 20-102(2) Preparing the Transportation Workforce for Emerging Technologies Membership stands at 87 as of June 30, 2025.The 2025 MTA Spring Conference was held in Billings May 12-16th at the Billings Hotel and Convention Center. The conference and Vendor EXPO was attended by 46 participants, 6 presenters and 22 vendors. The PASS training session drew 38 participants; for a total of 112. The networking event was JAZZ Jeopardy Murder Party and Scavenger Hunt, hosted by Davey Coach. The Awards Banquet Bar was hosted by Davey Coach.Bob Lloyd presented on: OMBs Revised Grant Guidance: What Program Managers Need to Know, Subrecipient vs Contractor: Making the Correct Determination and Indirect Cost Recovery for Nonprofit Organizations: Some Assembly Required Representatives from AECOM held a focus group session to collect data for the Montana Needs Study. Marianne Renner, Coaching Solutions, presented on: From Chaos to Clarity and Braving this New World. Chuck Davey and Randy Veenhoven presented on Alternative fuel vehicles. Eddie Thomas discussed Risk Retention Group Insurance. Scott Bogren, President Community Transportation Association of America updated attendees on whats happing in transit in DC and what it means to Montana. Shawn and Craig, Great Falls Transit conducted the PASS training on Monday and Tuesday. Drivers also attend the QStraint Wheelchair Securement and Maintenance Training, Lift Troubleshooting Workshop and Proper Wheelchair Etiquette. The Excellence in Transit Banquet and Awards Ceremony provided the opportunity to recognize MTA member agencies: Outstanding Safety Record Award, Ridership under 100,000 Missoula Ravalli TMA and CSKT Transit Richland County Transit was awarded the Transit System of the Year.The Orval Meyer Transit Excellence Award was postponed at the request of the family, who is working with the MTA Board to enhance the award. Suggestions are to have a Lifetime Achievement and New Leader Award. The Lifetime Achievement would come with a cash award. The New Leader winner would be enrolled in the Community Transportation Assoc