Rural Transportation Equity Study

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In 2023, the Oregon Department of Land Conservation and Development’s Rural Transportation Equity program aimed to address the needs of transportation-challenged populations in rural areas and improve access to services for these groups. 

In Morrow County, the Project Management team found that there is a general lack of awareness of the transportation options available as well as a low utilization of existing services. Under a new model with the Rural Engagement & Vitality Center and Euvalcree, a culturally specific organization, the project sought to make public engagement and planning efforts more inclusive, particularly for traditionally underserved groups, and foster improved access to public services.

The REV, along with Euvalcree, was contracted by Morrow County to make public engagement and planning efforts more inclusive. Community engagement efforts recorded responses from 293 community members and 18 stakeholder groups and an Eastern Oregon University research team led by Dr. Daniel Paul Costie analyzed survey responses. This county level data analysis was previously not available through other sources and provides Morrow County leadership with a strong foundation for decision-making and improving accessibility of transit services.