2. Intrastate Travel in the Upper Great Plains: A role for SATS? University of Nebraska at Omaha Aviation Institute July 2003

3. Intrastate Travel Many travelers want to travel quickly and reliably to intrastate destinations Current conditions in most Upper Great Plains states are not conducive to efficient intrastate travel While many travelers are interested in travel beyond their states borders…

4. North Dakota: A Case Study Widely dispersed small communities Typical of Great Plains states Underutilized landing facilities throughout state Need for linking communities within the state as well as beyond its borders…

5. Intrastate Travel: North Dakota Small community travelers have few viable options for intrastate travel Travel within the state is hampered by limited route networks for all existing modes except automobile Travel by car is more convenient in terms of schedule and more cost effective in terms of operating costs, but expensive in terms of travel times

6. Essential Air Service Limited value for intrastate travel Scheduled air service in from Devils Lake and Jamestown requires a flight to Minneapolis… Air travelers from Dickinson must first fly to Denver… Travelers pay high prices in terms of fares and time

7. Bus Service: Inexpensive… but limited routes and schedules Bus service is limited to service along Interstate Highways… Although relatively inexpensive, the limited routes and schedules make this mode unattractive to many travelers… Bus service is irrelevant to much of the state.

8. Amtrak: The Empire Builder A midnight run through North Dakota Route network and schedule is limited… Empire Builder serves the needs of travelers going from Chicago to Seattle… This means scheduled stops throughout the night in North Dakota

9. Comparing the Modes: Travel from Devils Lake…

10. Comparing the Modes: Traveling from Dickinson…

11. Comparing the Modes: Traveling from Jamestown…

12. A role for SATS? Bus and trains are inconvenient and time consuming While automobile travel may suit the needs of some travelers, others need more speed and lower trip times Current scheduled air service is expensive and time consuming Traditional air charter services are beyond the budgets of most travelers