ENSP 400: Capstone in Environmental Science and Policy

"APTA members are public organizations that are engaged in the areas of bus, paratransit, light rail, commuter rail, subways, waterborne passenger services, and high-speed rail. Members also include large and small companies who plan, design, construct, finance, supply, and operate bus and rail services worldwide. Government agencies, metropolitan planning organizations, state departments of transportation, academic institutions, and trade publications are also part of our membership.

To strengthen and improve public transportation, APTA serves and leads its diverse membership through advocacy, innovation and information sharing. APTA and its members and staff work to ensure that public transportation is available and accessible for all Americans in communities across the country."

"It identifies questions that small-city transit providers
must address when planning and siting transit facilities in order to support the goals that communities set
for themselves. Finally, it draws upon successful Oregon examples to provide relevant advice and illustrate
best practices. "

"In this report, the researchers have explored how smaller cities, towns, and rural places are integrating transit into their communities. This report seeks to elevate the emerging best practices in smaller cities and rural places where transit investments are helping to set the stage for a robust future. This report is intended to help local planners, elected lead­ers, and policymakers understand the strategies, partnerships, resources, and plans being enacted in comparable communities across the country."

"By examining current trends, this report reveals the increasingly critical connection between
public transit and rural communities and small towns. This paper also looks at rural public transit
cost efficiency, and describes successful examples of smaller community public transit
programs. "