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DOT presents Medora trolley planning study; committee hears parking and funding hurdles
Summary
The Department of Transportation described a planning study for a trolley or fixed‑route transit system in Medora but reported limited local support and unanswered questions about parking, operation and federal matching eligibility.
The Appropriations - Education and Environment Division heard a briefing from Northco Department of Transportation Director Ron Henke about an exploratory trolley concept for Medora.
Henke summarized the scope of recent street and bridge work in the Medora area and said DOT developed a concept study that included a possible fixed‑route trolley or small transit vehicles to shuttle visitors between downtown, parking nodes, the amphitheater and the library. “When you get out there, you park and you walk. You don't drive around because you're lucky if you find a parking spot,” Henke told the committee while explaining the rationale for considering transit options.
Nut graf: The planning work produced concepts and a public input process but did not secure broad local support; committee members were chiefly concerned about where riders would park, who would operate the service and how it would be funded.
Key points: Henke said the public input he described was roughly split, with roughly half of respondents in favor and half opposed. The city council did not embrace the trolley concept, which led DOT to remove a dedicated trolley lane from further consideration. Henke said some regional transit providers (from Dickinson, Golden Valley and Beach) remain interested in preliminary conversations about operating services that would shuttle visitors from nearby towns as a day trip model.
On funding, Henke and members discussed potential federal transit formula grants and capital match. DOT staff noted that federal capital grants commonly require a local match (often around 50 percent), and that a new or existing transit provider would need to qualify to receive federal funds. Committee members raised the possibility of using the Medora Foundation or local nonprofit to operate service but questioned whether a non‑transit entity could qualify for federal capital grants without becoming a recognized transit provider.
Accessibility and vehicle type: The planning study examined smaller vehicles (roughly 15‑ to 28‑seat trolleys or hybrids) to ensure maneuverability on crowded streets; DOT said some model vehicles have ramps that level to curb height rather than lifts. The study concluded only preliminary route, fleet and parking concepts; no operator or financing decision has been made.
Ending: Committee members called the concept “interesting” and “unique” but signaled it would require further local buy‑in, clarification on parking solutions and an identified operator before the Legislature should allocate matching funds.
