Passenger Bus, Rail and Motorcoach Industry News

The Ann Arbor Transportation Authority held several meetings to determine the preferred type of transit for the area, after narrowing the choices down to a bus rapid transit system, light rail and an automated guideway transit.

Providing more than 6.3 million rides and generated the highest annual ridership total since the transportation agency introduced local fixed-route service in 1979.

Officially titled the “Five-Year Transit Program,” includes projected operating and capital expenses of the program that total nearly $223 million over the five-year period. The five-year expenditures would be offset by an estimated $184.2 million in revenue, resulting in a “gap” of $38.8 million.

A draft five-year transit program proposes several improvements in Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti: more frequent service, extended service on weekdays and weekends and more direct service (limiting the need for transfers) to be provided on major corridors and several local routes. Ann Arbor riders will also be able to access communities beyond the city's borders.

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.

Collaborating on a feasibility study for advanced transit options and Ann Arbor Transit Authority’s transit master plan, which aims to enhance the city’s bus system.