County residents get another chance to provide input to transit master plan

Ann Arbor, MI – Washtenaw County residents will have another opportunity to have their say on what types of public transit they would like to see in the future. TheRide (Ann Arbor Transportation Authority) will hold 20 community forums to review three possible transportation scenarios (combinations of public transportation solutions) that may be included in the new countywide transit master plan.

The community forums will be held from January 31 to February 23. A complete list of meeting locations and times can be found at the transit master plan website MovingYouForward.org.

“The transit master plan will impact everything from economic development and the environment to the quality of life for seniors for the next 30 years,” said TheRide CEO Michael Ford. “The only way to ensure the plan will have the greatest impact is to gather as much feedback as possible.”

The scenarios proposed for the master plan have been developed based on two key reports created to aid in the creation of the transit master plan: The Transit Master Plan Visioning Report, which outlines the shared goals that are common to all Washtenaw County communities and the Transit Audit and Needs Assessment, which identifies the needs that the Transit Master Plan must address for Washtenaw County’s shared goals to be met.

Each of the three transportation scenarios presented at the community forums will include a combination of transit solutions – such as extended service hours or increased express routes –designed to meet Washtenaw County’s current and projected transportation needs.

Possible Transportation Scenarios

Lifeline Plus Scenario

• Improves lifeline services where they exist today

• Provides essential door-to-door connections for seniors and people with disabilities across the County

• Ensures that our most vulnerable populations can remain independent with access to fresh food, employment and educations opportunities, health care and recreational facilities

Accessible County Scenario

• Builds on the Lifeline Plus Scenario to provide a basic level of transit service for all County residents

• Establishes transit as an integral part of the County transportation system, making the County a more attractive place for employers to locate and employees to live

Smarter Growth Scenario

• Adds to the Accessible County Scenario, with investment in high capacity systems and regional rail to guide land use development on high capacity transit corridors

• Stimulates job creation and economic growth

• Focuses development in areas that best accommodate growth

• Preserves green space

• Stems growing traffic congestion

Input received through the community forums will be used to guide development of a preferred scenario that will be used as the basis for the final Washtenaw County Transit Master Plan. The final outcome may be based on one of the scenarios, or a combination of transit options.

“This will be one of the last chances for the public to review what’s being proposed for the transit master plan, ask questions and provide feedback before a final plan is presented early this summer,” said Saline Mayor Gretchen Driskell, who serves on the transit master plan leadership committee. “We encourage Washtenaw County residents to take their future into their hands, get involved and offer their ideas and suggestions at one of the upcoming community forums."

Community forums to be held next week are:

• Manchester Village Offices, Monday, January 31, 6-8 p.m.

• Ann Arbor District Library, Downtown, Tuesday, February 1, 6-8 p.m.

• Domino’s Farms, Wednesday, February 2, 5-7 p.m.

• Ypsilanti Library, Whittaker Road, Thursday, February 3

• Washington Street Education Center, Chelsea, Friday, February 4, 8-10 a.m.



A complete list of community forums is available at http://www.movingyouforward.org/.

WiFi Added to A2Express Buses

AATA recently announced an exciting addition to their A2Express service between Ann Arbor and Chelsea.  The full press release is included below.  Don't forget to follow TheRide on twitter @CatchTheRide for frequent updates.



ANN ARBOR, MI – Free WiFi and 10-ride tickets to try the A2Express bus service from to Ann Arbor from Chelsea and Canton are being offered to area commuters by the Ann Arbor Transportation Authority (TheRide).


TheRide recently added WiFi to its A2Express buses and reduced the fare on each of the routes after taking over operation of the service from a contracted vendor. The fare on either route is now $99 a month, down from $125. Also available for riders are a 10-ride ticket priced at $40 and a one-way cash fare of $5. Eligible University of Michigan faculty and staff members and individuals with a go!pass are eligible for a reduced fare.

Each express route provides two weekday trips each morning and two return trips each afternoon for commuters between Chelsea or Canton and downtown Ann Arbor and the University of Michigan campus.

The A2Express began in May, 2008 as a new kind of bus service for TheRide, characterized by the commuter-oriented nature of the schedule and the premium fare. The Chelsea Express was the first implementation of longer-distance commuter service into Ann Arbor, followed 15 months later when the Canton Express was initiated.

Both routes were operated initially by a subcontractor, but have since been taken in-house by TheRide resulting in a significant reduction in costs. In fiscal year 2010, the budget for A2Express service was $509,428 and for fiscal year 2011, the budget has been set at $241,687, a 53 percent reduction.

The service was originally funded by a federal demonstration grant. The Chelsea route is no longer covered by the grant, but a portion of the funding remains for the Canton Express.

Current riders are enthusiastic about the service and have actively encouraged other to try it out. Several participated with TheRide in promoting the service at the Chelsea Parade in August. Combined ridership on the routes is currently about 82 trips per day, or 41 riders daily.

In describing his positive experience on the A2Express, rider Alan Vollmer said recently, “I park at the Arctic Coliseum in Chelsea and take the Chelsea Express. Riding a commuter bus saves me 700 miles of wear and tear on my car and 25 hours of driving time per month! I was sold after my first trip on the bus!”

The free 10-ride tickets may be requested through the A2Express web site www.a2express.org, or by calling TheRide at 734.973.6500. The tickets are available only to first-time riders.

Information about TheRide’s services, individual bus routes, schedules, detours and other news is available at www.TheRide.org. Available at TheRide’s web site are e-mail and text message updates by free subscription to MyRide.

AATA Welcomes Two New Board Members

ANN ARBOR, MI – Two new board members – Anya Dale and Roger Kerson – have been welcomed to the Ann Arbor Transportation Authority (TheRide) following their recent appointments by Ann Arbor Mayor John Hieftje with the approval of city council. Dale was appointed on May 17 and Kerson on June 7.

Dale brings to TheRide a passion for the environment, having focused much of her recent effort on encouraging sustainable land use and transportation. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Michigan State University in environmental biology/zoology and a Masters from Eastern Michigan University in urban and regional planning.

Dale has gained experience ranging from writing agricultural conservation and wetland restoration plans to caring for African fruit bats and coordinating annual crane count events.

Professionally, she is a project manager with the Washtenaw County Department of Economic Development and Energy. Her work includes oversight for Re-imagine Washtenaw and several energy-related projects. Dale also provides support to projects awarded the Washtenaw County Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant.

Of her appointment to the board, Dale said, “As someone who walks and buses to work, I am thrilled to join the Ann Arbor Transportation Authority board. I hope my technical background, volunteer experience and passion will enable me to bring a new perspective to the board and work with the community to develop a vision for how public transit can better serve the region.



Kerson is a media consultant at RK Communications, providing public relations, advertising, social media strategy and other services to labor unions, businesses and non-profit organizations. His current projects include media relations and advertising for “Save Our Ride”, a labor-community coalition advocating enhanced support of public transit agencies across the nation.

Kerson previously served as director of public relations at the United Auto Workers, where he helped lead the union’s successful advocacy campaign for aid for the auto industry in 2008 and 2009. His writings have appeared in various publications, including the Chicago Sun Times, The Michigan Voice and Washington Monthly.

Kerson’s community service activities include serving on the board of the Washtenaw County chapter of ACLU Michigan and the Ann Arbor Housing and Human Services Advisory Board. His leadership positions have included two terms as vice president of UAW Local 1981, the National Writers Union and three years as president of the Ecology Center board of directors.

Kerson lives in Ann Arbor with his wife, Robin Kaplan, and two daughters.

“I'm committed to maintaining the highest possible quality of service for AATA riders -- and to working with fellow board members and staff to create cleaner, greener transportation alternatives in our community," said Kerson about his appointment to the board.