Webinar Opportunity: First and Last Mile Connectivity for Missourians – Study Results

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The Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) recently released the final report for a research study on the First and Last Mile Connectivity for Missourians.  This research project was developed as part of Missouri Governor Mike Parson’s Supply Chain Task Force convened in 2021.  One of the recommendations born of this task force included the development of dedicated microtransit programs for employment centers.

Interested in learning more about the First and Last Mile Connectivity Study?  Register here for the January 21, 2025 Missouri Public Transit Association (MPTA) Education Series webinar to hear from the following speakers and dive into the final results.

  • Christy Evers, Administrator of Transit at Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT)
  • Alvaro Villagran, Director of Federal Programs, Shared-Use Mobility Center
  • Luba Guzei, Director at Via Strategies

The project goals included:

  1. Understand how other state departments of transportation and metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs) support first and last mile mobility connections for their workforces; and
  2. How MoDOT could utilize those best practices and tie them into the Supply Chain Task Force recommendations.

The Shared-Use Mobility Center was selected to complete this research project and utilized the following research activities:

  • In-depth case studies of existing first-last mile service around the country
  • Interviews with leaders from first-last mile services around the country
  • Interviews with Missouri transportation providers
  • Virtual forum with Missouri transportation stakeholders
  • Analysis of existing conditions for transportation in Missouri
  • Presentation of research findings at the Missouri Public Transit Association conference

Key findings of the study include:

  • First-last mile transportation is a workforce development opportunity
  • Implementing first-last mile solutions requires a thorough understanding of demographic, economic, and geographic contexts
  • Effective partnership building is integral to first-last mile services and employment transportation
  • First-last mile transportation services need community support to thrive
  • There are significant gaps in knowledge about Missouri’s transportation needs and opportunities
  • State DOTs can play several key roles in supporting first-last mile transportation initiatives

The final report can be accessed via MoDOT here.

Register for the January 21 webinar here.

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