South Dakota Department of Transportation - Regional Planning

South Dakota Statewide Intercity Bus Study

Survey of Planning Districts and Metropolitan Planning Organizations

The South Dakota Department of Transportation (SDDOT)’s Air, Rail and Transit Program is developing the state’s first statewide intercity bus plan and would like to collect your input about the state’s intercity bus services and needs. This survey is intended to collect information about the opportunities that South Dakota’s residents have in making long-distance connections using public transportation, how well those services work, and needs for additional services or improvements. This includes identification of existing services for intercity trips – trips residents make from their home areas to larger towns and cities, to other states and major cities – for any reason.

How do they make these trips now? How does that work? Are services needed to connect to other areas? Are there particular populations who may need more (or different) services? As the state’s administrator of the Federal Transit Administration’s Section 53111(f) program of assistance for rural intercity bus service there is a need to plan for effective use of these funds to maintain and improve intercity mobility in South Dakota!

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* 1. Please assist us in developing a plan to address these intercity needs by completing this survey and returning it to us. In addition, there are 12 regional meetings (also available for virtual participation)—please join in one of these meetings and let us know what your experience has been and what you think!

	Yes	No
Are residents in your organization’s service area able to make long-distance trips without a personal vehicle: To larger towns outside the immediate area?	Are residents in your organization’s service area able to make long-distance trips without a personal vehicle: To larger towns outside the immediate area? Yes	Are residents in your organization’s service area able to make long-distance trips without a personal vehicle: To larger towns outside the immediate area? No
To larger towns in South Dakota?	To larger towns in South Dakota? Yes	To larger towns in South Dakota? No
To cities in other states?	To cities in other states? Yes	To cities in other states? No

If so, what services would they need to use?

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* 2. If there is existing long-distance bus service in your area, can you describe it in terms of who operates the service, pickup points, destinations, how passengers make reservations, eligibility restrictions (if any), schedules, fares, etc. (attach timetables or other information if available)

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* 3. How would persons needing to make a long-distance trip learn of the availability of these services?

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* 4. Is this information readily available, easy to navigate?

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* 5. How would they obtain tickets or make reservations? Is the system for arranging the trip easy to find and use? Can it all be arranged on one site, or would a passenger need to navigate several different scheduling and payment systems?

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* 6. If there are services that can be used to make intercity trips, what is your perception of the quality of these services for each of the following service attributes? Please rate them from one to 10, with one being the lowest score, and 10 the highest. Please provide any comments or additional information in the space provided.

	1 - Worst	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10 - Best
Availability of Information	Availability of Information 1 - Worst	Availability of Information 2	Availability of Information 3	Availability of Information 4	Availability of Information 5	Availability of Information 6	Availability of Information 7	Availability of Information 8	Availability of Information 9	Availability of Information 10 - Best
Ease of getting a ticket/arranging the trip	Ease of getting a ticket/arranging the trip 1 - Worst	Ease of getting a ticket/arranging the trip 2	Ease of getting a ticket/arranging the trip 3	Ease of getting a ticket/arranging the trip 4	Ease of getting a ticket/arranging the trip 5	Ease of getting a ticket/arranging the trip 6	Ease of getting a ticket/arranging the trip 7	Ease of getting a ticket/arranging the trip 8	Ease of getting a ticket/arranging the trip 9	Ease of getting a ticket/arranging the trip 10 - Best
Frequency of service	Frequency of service 1 - Worst	Frequency of service 2	Frequency of service 3	Frequency of service 4	Frequency of service 5	Frequency of service 6	Frequency of service 7	Frequency of service 8	Frequency of service 9	Frequency of service 10 - Best
Reliability of the service (always shows up)	Reliability of the service (always shows up) 1 - Worst	Reliability of the service (always shows up) 2	Reliability of the service (always shows up) 3	Reliability of the service (always shows up) 4	Reliability of the service (always shows up) 5	Reliability of the service (always shows up) 6	Reliability of the service (always shows up) 7	Reliability of the service (always shows up) 8	Reliability of the service (always shows up) 9	Reliability of the service (always shows up) 10 - Best
Schedule adherence (shows up on time)	Schedule adherence (shows up on time) 1 - Worst	Schedule adherence (shows up on time) 2	Schedule adherence (shows up on time) 3	Schedule adherence (shows up on time) 4	Schedule adherence (shows up on time) 5	Schedule adherence (shows up on time) 6	Schedule adherence (shows up on time) 7	Schedule adherence (shows up on time) 8	Schedule adherence (shows up on time) 9	Schedule adherence (shows up on time) 10 - Best
Cleanliness of vehicles	Cleanliness of vehicles 1 - Worst	Cleanliness of vehicles 2	Cleanliness of vehicles 3	Cleanliness of vehicles 4	Cleanliness of vehicles 5	Cleanliness of vehicles 6	Cleanliness of vehicles 7	Cleanliness of vehicles 8	Cleanliness of vehicles 9	Cleanliness of vehicles 10 - Best
Condition of vehicles	Condition of vehicles 1 - Worst	Condition of vehicles 2	Condition of vehicles 3	Condition of vehicles 4	Condition of vehicles 5	Condition of vehicles 6	Condition of vehicles 7	Condition of vehicles 8	Condition of vehicles 9	Condition of vehicles 10 - Best
Cleanliness and condition of stations or stops	Cleanliness and condition of stations or stops 1 - Worst	Cleanliness and condition of stations or stops 2	Cleanliness and condition of stations or stops 3	Cleanliness and condition of stations or stops 4	Cleanliness and condition of stations or stops 5	Cleanliness and condition of stations or stops 6	Cleanliness and condition of stations or stops 7	Cleanliness and condition of stations or stops 8	Cleanliness and condition of stations or stops 9	Cleanliness and condition of stations or stops 10 - Best
Amenities at the stops or station (For example, shelter, seating, restrooms, staff)	Amenities at the stops or station (For example, shelter, seating, restrooms, staff) 1 - Worst	Amenities at the stops or station (For example, shelter, seating, restrooms, staff) 2	Amenities at the stops or station (For example, shelter, seating, restrooms, staff) 3	Amenities at the stops or station (For example, shelter, seating, restrooms, staff) 4	Amenities at the stops or station (For example, shelter, seating, restrooms, staff) 5	Amenities at the stops or station (For example, shelter, seating, restrooms, staff) 6	Amenities at the stops or station (For example, shelter, seating, restrooms, staff) 7	Amenities at the stops or station (For example, shelter, seating, restrooms, staff) 8	Amenities at the stops or station (For example, shelter, seating, restrooms, staff) 9	Amenities at the stops or station (For example, shelter, seating, restrooms, staff) 10 - Best
Personal safety at the station or stops (Is the stop in a safe location and do you feel comfortable waiting there.)	Personal safety at the station or stops (Is the stop in a safe location and do you feel comfortable waiting there.) 1 - Worst	Personal safety at the station or stops (Is the stop in a safe location and do you feel comfortable waiting there.) 2	Personal safety at the station or stops (Is the stop in a safe location and do you feel comfortable waiting there.) 3	Personal safety at the station or stops (Is the stop in a safe location and do you feel comfortable waiting there.) 4	Personal safety at the station or stops (Is the stop in a safe location and do you feel comfortable waiting there.) 5	Personal safety at the station or stops (Is the stop in a safe location and do you feel comfortable waiting there.) 6	Personal safety at the station or stops (Is the stop in a safe location and do you feel comfortable waiting there.) 7	Personal safety at the station or stops (Is the stop in a safe location and do you feel comfortable waiting there.) 8	Personal safety at the station or stops (Is the stop in a safe location and do you feel comfortable waiting there.) 9	Personal safety at the station or stops (Is the stop in a safe location and do you feel comfortable waiting there.) 10 - Best
Personal safety on the bus (Do you feel safe and comfortable riding the vehicle.)	Personal safety on the bus (Do you feel safe and comfortable riding the vehicle.) 1 - Worst	Personal safety on the bus (Do you feel safe and comfortable riding the vehicle.) 2	Personal safety on the bus (Do you feel safe and comfortable riding the vehicle.) 3	Personal safety on the bus (Do you feel safe and comfortable riding the vehicle.) 4	Personal safety on the bus (Do you feel safe and comfortable riding the vehicle.) 5	Personal safety on the bus (Do you feel safe and comfortable riding the vehicle.) 6	Personal safety on the bus (Do you feel safe and comfortable riding the vehicle.) 7	Personal safety on the bus (Do you feel safe and comfortable riding the vehicle.) 8	Personal safety on the bus (Do you feel safe and comfortable riding the vehicle.) 9	Personal safety on the bus (Do you feel safe and comfortable riding the vehicle.) 10 - Best
Professionalism of the service providers	Professionalism of the service providers 1 - Worst	Professionalism of the service providers 2	Professionalism of the service providers 3	Professionalism of the service providers 4	Professionalism of the service providers 5	Professionalism of the service providers 6	Professionalism of the service providers 7	Professionalism of the service providers 8	Professionalism of the service providers 9	Professionalism of the service providers 10 - Best
Driver friendliness	Driver friendliness 1 - Worst	Driver friendliness 2	Driver friendliness 3	Driver friendliness 4	Driver friendliness 5	Driver friendliness 6	Driver friendliness 7	Driver friendliness 8	Driver friendliness 9	Driver friendliness 10 - Best
Assistance with mobility devices/boarding	Assistance with mobility devices/boarding 1 - Worst	Assistance with mobility devices/boarding 2	Assistance with mobility devices/boarding 3	Assistance with mobility devices/boarding 4	Assistance with mobility devices/boarding 5	Assistance with mobility devices/boarding 6	Assistance with mobility devices/boarding 7	Assistance with mobility devices/boarding 8	Assistance with mobility devices/boarding 9	Assistance with mobility devices/boarding 10 - Best
Availability of Wi-Fi on vehicles	Availability of Wi-Fi on vehicles 1 - Worst	Availability of Wi-Fi on vehicles 2	Availability of Wi-Fi on vehicles 3	Availability of Wi-Fi on vehicles 4	Availability of Wi-Fi on vehicles 5	Availability of Wi-Fi on vehicles 6	Availability of Wi-Fi on vehicles 7	Availability of Wi-Fi on vehicles 8	Availability of Wi-Fi on vehicles 9	Availability of Wi-Fi on vehicles 10 - Best
Availability of power outlets on vehicles	Availability of power outlets on vehicles 1 - Worst	Availability of power outlets on vehicles 2	Availability of power outlets on vehicles 3	Availability of power outlets on vehicles 4	Availability of power outlets on vehicles 5	Availability of power outlets on vehicles 6	Availability of power outlets on vehicles 7	Availability of power outlets on vehicles 8	Availability of power outlets on vehicles 9	Availability of power outlets on vehicles 10 - Best
Space and comfort of the seating	Space and comfort of the seating 1 - Worst	Space and comfort of the seating 2	Space and comfort of the seating 3	Space and comfort of the seating 4	Space and comfort of the seating 5	Space and comfort of the seating 6	Space and comfort of the seating 7	Space and comfort of the seating 8	Space and comfort of the seating 9	Space and comfort of the seating 10 - Best
Scheduling flexibility	Scheduling flexibility 1 - Worst	Scheduling flexibility 2	Scheduling flexibility 3	Scheduling flexibility 4	Scheduling flexibility 5	Scheduling flexibility 6	Scheduling flexibility 7	Scheduling flexibility 8	Scheduling flexibility 9	Scheduling flexibility 10 - Best
Availability of luggage space	Availability of luggage space 1 - Worst	Availability of luggage space 2	Availability of luggage space 3	Availability of luggage space 4	Availability of luggage space 5	Availability of luggage space 6	Availability of luggage space 7	Availability of luggage space 8	Availability of luggage space 9	Availability of luggage space 10 - Best
Assistance with luggage (if needed)	Assistance with luggage (if needed) 1 - Worst	Assistance with luggage (if needed) 2	Assistance with luggage (if needed) 3	Assistance with luggage (if needed) 4	Assistance with luggage (if needed) 5	Assistance with luggage (if needed) 6	Assistance with luggage (if needed) 7	Assistance with luggage (if needed) 8	Assistance with luggage (if needed) 9	Assistance with luggage (if needed) 10 - Best
Heating and air conditioning on vehicles	Heating and air conditioning on vehicles 1 - Worst	Heating and air conditioning on vehicles 2	Heating and air conditioning on vehicles 3	Heating and air conditioning on vehicles 4	Heating and air conditioning on vehicles 5	Heating and air conditioning on vehicles 6	Heating and air conditioning on vehicles 7	Heating and air conditioning on vehicles 8	Heating and air conditioning on vehicles 9	Heating and air conditioning on vehicles 10 - Best
Not having to drive	Not having to drive 1 - Worst	Not having to drive 2	Not having to drive 3	Not having to drive 4	Not having to drive 5	Not having to drive 6	Not having to drive 7	Not having to drive 8	Not having to drive 9	Not having to drive 10 - Best

Other (please specify)

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* 7. What would you change to solve any of the issues you identified regarding service quality?

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* 8. If there are local or regional transit services, do you see any potential need or opportunity to expand or modify them to connect with existing intercity bus services or meet needs for intercity bus connections?

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* 9. Are there areas or corridors in your service area that you consider as having a need for more intercity bus service (particularly in rural areas)? This could be areas with no service, or places with existing service that could benefit from additional service (more schedules, local service, etc.). Remember that this is not commuter bus or local service, but service that allows residents to make long-distance trips, potentially connecting to national intercity bus carriers (such as Jefferson Lines, Express Arrow, Greyhound Lines, Flixbus, etc.), Amtrak rail passenger service, or airports?

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* 10. Are there particular market segments or groups that you see needing more service? Where do you think people wish to go - are there destinations needing additional service? Are there particular connection locations that need to be served?

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* 11. Do you want to receive future notifications about this study, including any additional surveys, grant applications, conference calls, meeting notices, or study reports?

Yes

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* 12. If “Yes”, please provide contact information at the bottom of this survey, and make sure it is complete.

Your Name:

Organization

Mailing Address:

Phone:

Email:

Please respond by November 15, 2023!

If you have any questions about the survey itself or this program, please contact Fred Fravel at the KFH Group at ffravel@kfhgroup.com.

Fred Fravel

KFH Group, Inc.,

4920 Elm St., Ste 350

Bethesda, MD 20814

(301) 951-8660

Thank you for your input!

Title VI: Statement of Nondiscrimination: The South Dakota Department of Transportation provides services without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, age or disability, according to the provisions contained in SDCL 20-13, Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and Executive Order 12898, Federal Actions to Address Environmental Justice in Minority Populations and Low-Income Populations, 1994.

Any person who has questions concerning this policy or wishes to file a discrimination complaint should contact the Department’s Civil Rights Office at 605-773-3540.

Section 5311(f) funding from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) is intended to support intercity bus services that connect rural areas (population under 50,000, outside of designated Urbanized Areas) to the national intercity bus network.

Intercity Bus Service means regularly scheduled bus service for the general public that operates with limited stops over fixed routes connecting two or more urban areas not in close proximity, that has the capacity for transporting baggage carried by passengers, and that makes meaningful connections with scheduled intercity bus service to more distant points, if such service is available.