Carbon County Transit Plan Making Steps

Through recent community assessments, the Red Lodge Area Community Foundation has identified transportation as a top concern among Carbon County residents, especially among older residents and those living in more remote locations. The 2013 Community Health Services Development report found that

respondents considered transportation services one of the top three ways to improve the community’s access to health care.

In 2016, participants in a health oriented Community Panel noted transportation to appointments in Billings, public services, and medical appointments as common health issues. Furthermore, in two of the three community dialogues hosted by RLACF in 2016, participants identified transportation to medical appointments and support services as a concern relative to health.

More recently, the Age Friendly Carbon County survey similarly identified transportation as a major concern and top opportunity for improving the lives of older residents in the county, addressing social isolation as well as health concerns. All these findings are in line with those of national organizations dedicated to helping older adults and adults with disabilities. According to Grantmakers in Aging, transportation and access to services continue to be top issues identified by aging services providers as a key to aging in place. Now, we need to determine specific transportation needs around the county for different population groups and develop a plan to address them.

The purpose of this RFP is to obtain the services of an Independent Contractor to conduct services necessary to provide a new 5 Year Transit Development Plan. This Independent Contractor should have direct knowledge, technical capability, and experience in working with transportation organizations, local governments, local services and programs, and community residents to develop a 5 Year Transit Development Plan to define development and operational vision; assess the opportunity and capacity for the planning and implementation of the Plan; and provide guide goals, priorities, and objectives for transportation in Carbon County, Montana.