AATA board gives final approval to countywide transit authority plan
The four-party agreement that would create a new countywide transit authority in Washtenaw County won final approval Thursday, but several steps, including winning approval from voters, remain before the new agency can become a reality.
Passengers come and go at the Ann Arbor Transportation Authority's Blake Transit Center. The four-party agreement approved Thursday would create a new county-wide transit authority.
Ryan J. Stanton | AnnArbor.com
The Ann Arbor Transportation Authority board approved the amended agreement Thursday. AATA must now finalize a five-year transit program and publicize it throughout the county.
Then, the AATA board and representatives from other communities serving on what is known as an “unincorporated 196 board” would ask the county clerk to file incorporation papers to create a new authority.
Next, the AATA will notify all local governments of the filing. Each local government will have 30 days to indicate whether they will participate in the new authority. Communities that opt out will not be part of the authority nor receive any services paid for with voter-approved funding.
The new authority will then need to request and receive voter approval of a funding mechanism to pay for new services provided by the new transit authority.
The agreement approved Thursday was amended earlier this month by the Washtenaw County Commissioners and then approved by Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti city councils. Both councils already had given approval to the agreement before the amendment.
The amendment requires a four-fifths majority of the new transit authority board to approve changes to articles, instead of a two-thirds majority as originally written.
The draft five-year plan proposes more frequent bus service, extended service on weekdays and weekends and more direct service to be provided on major corridors and several local routes. Ann Arbor riders also would be able to reach neighboring communities in Washtenaw County through a combined, comprehensive system of fixed routes, expanded on-demand service and regional connector routes. Those outside of Ann Arbor would be able to use on-demand services and regional connector services to get to Ann Arbor and other communities within the county.
Ann Arbor’s and Ypsilanti’s existing public transportation millages would be used to fund ongoing services in each community.
After all of the steps outlined in the public transit agreement are completed, AATA’s assets and responsibilities would be transferred to the new transit authority, which would be governed by a new 15-member board. Ann Arbor would receive seven appointments to the new board, with the other board members representing other transit districts throughout Washtenaw County.
“This is an exciting step — there is now a clear path for local governments to move forward to improve existing public transportation services in Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti and to expand access to underserved areas of our county,” AATA Board Chairman Jesse Bernstein said in a press release.
County residents can learn more about the five-year transit program at one of eight public meetings scheduled in September. All meeting dates are listed at MovingYouForward.org. The program will be posted to the website in early September, AATA said.
Comments
jns131
Sun, Aug 19, 2012 : 1:20 p.m.
Just getting back from the Heritage Festival. Anyone who is interested in the YES vote for this needs to call AATA or find their tent and write something to their local congress person. Dingell is ours so we will get the yes vote.
jns131
Sat, Aug 18, 2012 : 6:42 p.m.
As a parent of a new driver I am voting yes. This will mean I do not have to buy another car until my child can help to pay for it. Otherwise, we are voting yes on this one. A bus for ours is something I did at her age and will want her to until, like me, can pay for all the problems car ownership entails. I can't wait to see how this all pans out.
Len J Sunday
Sat, Aug 18, 2012 : 1:13 p.m.
The Chicago Transit Authority provides service to Chicago and 40 surrounding suburbs. The CTA provided a total of 521.2 million rides in 2009, a 1 percent decrease (5.1 million fewer rides) over 2008 numbers. CTA operates 24 hours each day and on an average weekday provides 1.7 million rides on buses and trains. It has approximately 1,800 buses that operate over 140 routes traveling along 2,230 route miles (3,658 km). Buses provide about one million passenger trips a day and serve more than 12,000 posted bus stops. The Chicago Transit Authority's 1,190 train cars operate over eight routes and 222 miles (357 km) of track. Its trains provide about 750,000 customer trips each weekday and serve 144 stations in Chicago. See http://www.transitchicago.com/assets/1/board_presentations/Financial_Report_-_June_2012_(for_April).pdf for statistics. In short, it is a huge system run by the government and it requires a county wide tax to support it. I have seen the buses that are used in Ann Arbor. They do not use equipment that provides the best bang for the buck. (AATA has recently introduced hybrid electric buses to its fleet of 69 and is the first public transit operator in the Midwest to state its intention to convert to all hybrid electric buses.) The AATA is also subsidized by Ann Arbor residents. I have read the blogs on AA.com. They do not appear to be very happy about having their taxes raised to support a few more riders. There are private companies providing transportation to and from the airport. With a population of 344,791 spread over 709.94 sq miles, we don't have a population density(456/sq mi ) to make a county wide system viable. The 2010 census places the population of Ann Arbor at 113,934. 1/3 of the county population lives in 26.55 sq. mi.,which makes the population density of the remainder of the county 338.6/sq. mi. Let us opt out and use our township money to fix our roads.
Len J Sunday
Sat, Aug 18, 2012 : 1:12 p.m.
I used public transportation since I was 5 years old. It took 3 buses to get to high school. I used public transportation to get to work. While living inside the Chicago city limits, I used the Chicago Transit Authority(CTA). I used the county subsidized Metra service after moving to Oaklawn. I have 56 years of experience using public transportation. The CTA system was corrupt. The buses were not properly maintained. Air conditioning did not work in the summer and heat did not work in the winter. The union mechanics did not want to work too hard. My wife's cousin worked in the shop. They played cards. The buses were packed from door to door. The Metra service was much better but had fewer riders. I actually was able to sit down. It cost me $108 dollars for a monthly Metra ticket. There is a county wide tax to subsidize the cost. Cook County has more than 5,200,000 residents and the bus/train system is not self supporting. See http://metrarail.com/content/dam/metra/documents/ridership_reports/Fact_sheet_2011.pdf for statistics. The Chicago Transit Authority provides service to Chicago and 40 surrounding suburbs. The CTA provided a total of 521.2 million rides in 2009, a 1 percent decrease (5.1 million fewer rides) over 2008 numbers. CTA operates 24 hours each day and on an average weekday provides 1.7 million rides on buses and trains. It has approximately 1,800 buses that operate over 140 routes traveling along 2,230 route miles (3,658 km). Buses provide about one million passenger trips a day and serve more than 12,000 posted bus stops. The Chicago Transit Authority's 1,190 train cars operate over eight routes and 222 miles (357 km) of track. Its trains provide about 750,000 customer trips each weekday and serve 144 stations in Chicago. See http://www.transitchicago.com/assets/1/board_presentations/Financial_Report_-_June_2012_(for_April).pdf for statistics.
Basic Bob
Sat, Aug 18, 2012 : 11:22 a.m.
This will be necessary when Ann Arbor schools eliminates bus service to outlying areas. We need to work quickly.
jns131
Sat, Aug 18, 2012 : 6:43 p.m.
It will happen eventually. Especially on the hi school level. Right now they eliminated 3 high school runs to out lining areas and will be a mess for those trying to get home.
jcj
Fri, Aug 17, 2012 : 8:39 p.m.
Vote No!
HB11
Fri, Aug 17, 2012 : 7:35 p.m.
I cannot wait to vote NO on this plan.
xmo
Fri, Aug 17, 2012 : 7:26 p.m.
Another Government Agency, I wish we could disband the AATA and have it morph into the new RTA.
Top Cat
Fri, Aug 17, 2012 : 7:02 p.m.
"The new authority will then need to request and receive voter approval of a funding mechanism to pay for new services provided by the new transit authority." I have a funding mechanism. Everyone that thinks this is a great idea can collect pop cans from allow the road and contribute the proceeds. The rest of us say NO.
Ron Granger
Fri, Aug 17, 2012 : 6:09 p.m.
Does the new authority to levy taxes also allow new taxes for train service, or just buses?
LXIX
Fri, Aug 17, 2012 : 5:57 p.m.
Why would politicians (especially a republican governor) push so hard for regional transit? A] Communitees might grow issolated and independent from global authority as job & shop commuting become too expensive. B] Poorly planned density magnets will collapse without a commuting slaveforce and eliteforce. C] Shrinking budget "management" becomes too transparent so new shells must be added to game with. D] There will be so many crosswalks only busses will be able to travel into and out of town.
dconkey
Fri, Aug 17, 2012 : 4:11 p.m.
So let me see I I have this correct. In paragraph four, if a local government decides to opt out, I understand that they would not get any extra service, which I understand, but the residents are still taxed to fund the rest of the county? Seems to me that they should not be taxed.
Ken
Fri, Aug 17, 2012 : 7:18 p.m.
dc.........If a subdivision opts out prior to the 30 day period, then that subdivision will not vote on the millage, nor will not pay the millage. The "bus will pass them by!"
RUKiddingMe
Fri, Aug 17, 2012 : 3:55 p.m.
Oh,l I forgot to include that in the financial plan they provided, they have $200,000 for the website. That's just one line item. A website. $200,000.
RUKiddingMe
Fri, Aug 17, 2012 : 3:54 p.m.
I sure do hope you all get out there and vote this down with extreme prejudice. Either that or tell us all where to find the information that justifies this (e.g. the real actual need). Otherwise it's just a new agency (much like commission, or task force; just more people getting paid with your tax dollars) providing no real added benefit. Please tell your friends, family, and coworkers, and be sure to include how they doubled service on a popular route (100% increase) to get 14% more riders, and that was on a popular, well-used route. That was data they used to actually support this, folks. Start looking at the buses and taking note of how empty they often are. Don't be discouraged about long searches for good, reliable info that proves that this is a good idea; it's not your fault, there just isn't any. They'll keep going and going if we don't start voting it down. It's our responsibility.
average joe
Fri, Aug 17, 2012 : 4:58 p.m.
RU- Yes, that 'business decision' to double the service and only gain a 14% increase in 'business' really says it all. What other business would make this decision and then apparently be proud of the results.
Ignatz
Fri, Aug 17, 2012 : 3:23 p.m.
I can't wait to see the details. Right now, it's extremely difficult to get to and from much of the eastern end of the county to Ann Arbor at night or on the weekends.
Eep
Fri, Aug 17, 2012 : 9:26 p.m.
You're so right, jcj. None of the gasoline taxes, property taxes, or income taxes that I've paid have subsidized the roads you drive on. Oh wait, they have.
jcj
Fri, Aug 17, 2012 : 8:38 p.m.
I have NO problem getting ti WHEREVER I need to go! And you don't have to pay a dime for my transportation.
Top Cat
Fri, Aug 17, 2012 : 7 p.m.
Save your money. Buy a car. Then getting to and from just about anywhere is easy. Self reliance is nice.
Tom Whitaker
Fri, Aug 17, 2012 : 5:31 p.m.
Unless you commute from a participating township into downtown Ann Arbor on weekdays, you are out of luck. This plan is being sold to the public as something that will help everyone get around the county more easily, but it won't. It's all about transit-oriented development in rural areas and subsidizing commuter transportation for businesses that choose to locate in downtown Ann Arbor.