North Dakota State University Student Transit Survey, 2010–2011

Mattson, Jeremy; Ripplinger, David; Peterson, Del · 2012 · ROSA P / Upper Great Plains Transportation Institute

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Summary

This report presents the findings of the North Dakota State University (NDSU) Student Transit Survey conducted during the 2010–2011 academic year. Sponsored by the Federal Transit Administration as part of the Public Transportation Participation Pilot Program, the study aimed to update previous transit surveys and test mobile technology for on-vehicle data collection. The primary objectives were to evaluate student travel behavior, assess experiences with Metro Area Transit (MATBUS), and gather input to inform future transit planning and service improvements for the NDSU community. The research employed a dual-method design consisting of an on-vehicle intercept survey and a broader online survey. The on-vehicle survey was conducted in winter 2010 on two campus routes (Route 32 and Route 33), utilizing both paper forms and smartphones to collect responses from 120 riders. The online survey, administered in spring 2011 via email listservs, received 858 responses from the general student population, including both transit users and non-users. This approach allowed for the collection of detailed demographic data, residential location, vehicle access, mode choice factors, and opinions on service quality, marketing, and parking. The results indicate that while 86% of respondents have regular access to a motor vehicle, transportation modes vary significantly by distance from campus. Automobiles are the dominant mode for students living more than one mile away, whereas walking and MATBUS use are prevalent among those living within a mile. Specifically, 57% of off-campus students primarily drive, 24% walk, and 13% primarily use MATBUS. However, 36% of all respondents use MATBUS at least occasionally. Convenience, travel time, and weather were the most influential factors in mode choice, with weather significantly impacting willingness to walk; only 7% of students were willing to walk one mile or more in freezing temperatures. Satisfaction with MATBUS was generally high, though concerns regarding bus lateness and crowding were noted. Additionally, students expressed interest in onboard wireless internet and indicated a willingness to support fare-free service through student fees. The study concludes that MATBUS plays a critical role in campus mobility, particularly for students living within walking distance or those without vehicle access. The data highlights the strong influence of weather and distance on mode selection, suggesting that service reliability and coverage in residential areas close to campus are vital for maintaining ridership. The successful integration of mobile devices for on-vehicle surveys also demonstrated the viability of technology-enhanced data collection methods for transit agencies. These findings provide NDSU and MATBUS with empirical evidence to optimize route planning, marketing strategies, and service features to better meet student needs.

Key finding

MATBUS mode share ranged from 16% for students living within a quarter mile of campus to 30-32% for those living between one-fourth and one mile away, while automobile use became the dominant mode for distances exceeding one mile.

Methodology

mixed_methods

Sample size: 978

Provenance

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Summary generated by qwen3.6-27b-prismaquant on 2026-06-10; verification: verified.

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