The Mandan City Commission got its first look at a transit development plan being produced by URS for the Bismarck-Mandan Transit Center by URS Corp.

URS's Bill Troe showed the plan at Tuesday's commission meeting. The 199-page document is a five-year master plan for the CAT (Capital Area Transit) and paratransit operations. URS spent several months collecting data on Bismarck-Mandan's fixed route and demand response services.

The report provides an overview of Bis-Man Transit services including hours of service, ridership, cost effectiveness-efficiency, revenues, expenditures and subsidies required.

"Also, the purpose of a five-year master plan is to look at what we'll be doing and what we'll be thinking about the next five years," Troe said.

If there were a theme for the report, it would be "No Big Changes," Troe said. The key is looking at the CAT services which is still a very new system, only 3 years old. The fixed route continues to see increased ridership, though it does have ups and downs, Troe said.

Several recommendations are made in the report, many focusing on increasing ridership on the CAT. Among them are providing incentives to para-transit riders to shift over to the CAT, expanding partnerships particularly with the schools, making service modifications, adjustments to fees and adding amenities.

Troe said that local middle schools, high schools, colleges and universities have high density populations conducive to transit services. The recommendation is to develop partnerships to increase use by the schools.

"We're also suggesting service modifications. We're looking at arrival and departure hours," Troe said. "When the bus services gets to or leaves the shopping centers or passes the schools isn't always conducive to shoppers and students."

The CAT doesn't provide service after 9 p.m., a time when many workers at the mall are leaving for home. Those are potential riders the bus should look to providing service, Troe said.

Reduction in fees include the unlimited ride pass from $35 a month to $30; and qualified reduced fair and student summer passes from $23 to $20. Expectations are to make up the reductions from increased volume.

"We're also suggesting more benches, shelters and informational signs," Troe said. "More information on where people can get on the bus and more bus stop signs."

Troe will make a similar presentation to the Bismarck City Commission next week. URS is asking for comments on the report from the cities before finalizing the report.

(Reach reporter Gordon Weixel at 250-8255 or gordon.weixel@;bismarcktribune.com.)