Get Work Done, Check Your Email, Relax Your Commute–>Take the Bus

Get rewarded for taking the bus to work during Bus Benefits Month (Sept 7-30)!

Click here to learn more.

Here is some information about bus detours on TheRide because of student move-in (Aug 31-Sept 3, 2010):

TheRide to detour routes on UM Central/Medical Campuses during student move-in; Route 36 to resume regular routing

The University of Michigan’s (UM) student move-in will close or redirect parts of several streets in the UM Central and Medical Campus areas. The Ann Arbor Transportation Authority (TheRide) will detour routes around the area in an attempt to avoid traffic congestion and maintain timely service.

Detours around the Central Campus Transit Center project will remain in effect for most routes. As a result, TheRide is advising passengers to plan their trips in advance and allow extra time for traveling on the affected routes.

Route 36 will end its detour on Monday, August 30. The route will access the new Central Campus Transit Center and return to its regular routing on that date.

Click here to view all of the information on Route Detours for Student Move-In

Route and schedule information is available at www.TheRide.org and at 734.996.0400.

TheRide also offers e-mail and text message updates on bus routes, schedules, detours and other news from TheRide by free subscription to MyRide at www.TheRide.org.

Visit TheRide at www.facebook.com/CatchTheRide or www.twitter.com/CatchTheRide.

FYI from the Main Street Area Association:

Early Bird Parking Program Beginning September 1st
$5.00 Parking in the Fourth and William Parking Structure

Republic Parking and the Downtown Development Authority are pleased to introduce a new pilot program for Early Bird parking. The parking structure at the corner of Fourth and William will have a special parking rate available beginning September 1st. The program requirements are as follows:

1. Monday through Friday – not valid on Saturday (Sunday parking is FREE!!)
2. Enter the parking garage before 9am.
3. Exit the parking garage the same day between 3 and 6pm.
4. Park on the roof top of the garage.
5. Obtain the special rate coupon from the roof top attendant as you exit between 3 and 6pm.
6. Surrender coupon and parking ticket to cashier and pay only $5.00.

Want to provide some feedback to TheRide (Ann Arbor Transportation Authority) about what the future of transit should look like in Washtenaw County?

TheRide is setting up meetings all across the county this fall to get your thoughts.

Click here to check out the Public Outreach meeting schedule.

You read me right.  The newest transit technology proposed in China is something called a “straddling bus” which actually travels over the tops of cars.

This bus doesn’t have to stop traffic to pick up passengers and can hold as many as 1,200 passengers at a time.

Check out more on this crazy bus here.

FYI:

The Ann Arbor Transportation Authority will not operate regular fixed-route bus service, A-Ride paratransit, or senior taxi services on Monday, September 6, 2010 in observance of the Labor Day holiday.  Regular bus, paratransit and senior taxi services will resume on Tuesday, September 7.

AATA administrative offices at 2700 South Industrial Highway will be closed in observance of the holiday.  The offices will reopen on Tuesday, September 7 on their regular 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. schedule.  The Blake and Ypsilanti Transit Centers also will be closed on September 6 and reopen during their regular hours on September 7.

Passengers may take advantage of AATA’s Holiday Ride shared-ride taxi service on Monday for just $5 a person.  Seniors and persons with disabilities with an AATA identification card may ride for $2.50. Individuals with a go!pass may ride for $1.00 through a subsidy by the Ann Arbor Downtown Development Authority.

The Holiday Ride taxi service operates only within the city limits of Ann Arbor.  To schedule a Holiday Ride trip, call 528.5432.

Bus route and schedule information is available on AATA’s Web Site at www.TheRide.org. or at 734.996.0400.

Why has there been “sidewalk closed” signs on Fourth Ave between Huron and Washington?

Because it needs to be repaired.

Why is it taking so long?

Money and complications.

Click here to read more.

Read about it here.

In our mobile and changing world, there are probably a lot more of you thinking about telecommuting.  So what might it take from an employer’s prospective to get telecommuting up and running?

bnet provides a good overview of what you can do to get a policy in place for telecommuting.

AnnArbor.Com reports that the City of Ann Arbor recently acquired some federal stimulus dollars that will allow for some new bike lanes near downtown Ann Arbor.

The locations of these new bike lanes will be along Catherine Street, North University Avenue, Ashley Street and First Street.

Since many people feel better about biking when bike lanes are present, these new additions should be a good move.

Click here to read the entire article.