Passenger Bus, Rail and Motorcoach Industry News

The international system integrator deployed the first phase of EASY Card in a record 15 months, with contract award in June 2008 and launch in September 2009. Less than a year later, Cubic added SFRTA’s Tri-Rail to the EASY Card system.

While a $3 million federal grant had covered the subsidized cost of the service for nearly five years, the cash-strapped agency took over payment — about $700,000 a year — two years ago.

TheRide, Michigan Flyer, the University of Michigan, the Ann Arbor Downtown Development Authority, and the Ann Arbor Convention and Visitors Bureau work together to launch AirRide.

The route, which includes stops at Florida Mall and near International Drive, is often used by lower-income employees of Disney, the airport and other tourism businesses to commute to and from work.

The new service, named AirRide, is expected to begin in April and will provide 12 daily round trips from Ann Arbor to Detroit Metro Airport and will be operated by Michigan Flyer on behalf of TheRide.

The university has provided the service on and off for about five years, but past providers have not worked out. Feedback on the switch has been favorable thus far.

Also referred to as route 500, the service launched in August 2008, offering patrons express service to George Bush Intercontinental Airport every 30 minutes for $15 one-way.

The entire elevated dual-lane system at George Bush Intercontinental serves four stations (Terminals A, B, C and D/E) and operates with a fleet of 16 Innovia APM 100 vehicles (formerly known as CX-100) and Bombardier Cityflo automatic train control technology.

All nine coaches received include three-point seat belts.

New vehicles have the same leg room as the extended wheelbase Crown Victoria sedans they are replacing, more seating options and better fuel economy.