I just got the following info from the AATA.  Overall, I think they did a good job listening to citizens and didn’t make some changes that would have been hard for many people.

They are not going to eliminate any service on the 13.

Another great change is that the AATA is going to add service on the #8 Pauline bus, which will mean it will run every 15 minutes during morning and afternoon peak hours.

In terms of some negatives, they are going to stop running the 12UL, but since the #8 Pauline bus will be running down Liberty when it goes downtown, this should be ok for some.

Also, they are going to be having service to the Miller Rd. Park and Ride Lot every 20 minutes.

For the most part, I think the changes are ok.  I work with the AATA on a regular basis and hope they continue to find ways to increase service.  With gas at $4.00 a gallon, it is clear we need more service.

So here’s the stuff about the service changes:

AATA Board approves revised service changes

Following extensive public input on proposed service changes, the Ann Arbor Transportation Authority (AATA) Board of Directors carefully considered the public’s concerns and approved a revised list of changes at its May 21 meeting.

The service changes will take effect on Sunday, August 24, 2008.

Overall, the changes are designed to add service during morning and afternoon peak hours, and improve on-time performance on routes where this has been a problem, including the 4, 1U and 12UM routes. The changes will improve service to the Miller Road Park & Ride lot and add service to the new Skyline High School.

Service reductions are planned in lower productivity service during midday, evening, and weekend hours on Routes 7, 12UL, 14 and 16.

Of the original 28 proposed changes, 17 were adopted as proposed, four were adopted with modifications and seven were not adopted, as a result of the public input.

Here is a list of the Changes (going to effect on Sunday, August 24, 2008)

Route 1U - Pontiac-University

• Timing will be adjusted on this route to improve on-time performance.

Route 4 – Washtenaw

• Multiple changes are designed to improve the reliability and frequency of the route in Ann Arbor without adding to rider’s travel time or adding a large number of additional service hours. Details of the changes will be included on the AATA web site when the maps and schedules are produced and posted.

Route 7 - South Main-East

• The 10:18 p.m. trip leaving the Blake Transit Center will end at Eisenhower and South Industrial.
• The loop now serving Kerrytown will be eliminated.
• A trip from the Blake Transit Center to the Pioneer High Park & Ride Lot will be added at 10:48 p.m.

Route 8 - Pauline

• Frequency of weekday service during morning and afternoon peak hours will be increased to every 15 minutes.
• The additional service will use Liberty Street to travel inbound to the Blake Transit Center (BTC). Service on Route 8 will be through-routed with the #2 Plymouth route. That is, a bus arriving at the BTC on Route 8 will depart as a #2 bus to enable riders to travel to and from the University of Michigan (U-M) campus and medical center without changing buses.

Route 9U - Jackson-University

• The route will be moved away from Maple Village to the Miller Road Park & Ride Lot. Service will be provided on North Maple Road between Dexter Road and Miller Road. No service will be provided on Jackson Road.

Route 12UL - Liberty-University

• The route will be eliminated.

Route 12UM - Miller-University

• Peak Hour Service: Service to and from the Miller Road Park & Ride Lot will be increased to every 20 minutes. Service to the new Skyline High School will be added.
• Midday Service: Service will operate every 30 minutes between the Miller Road Park & Ride Lot/Skyline High School and the Blake Transit Center, resulting in service every 15 minutes on Miller Road.

Route 14 - Geddes-East Stadium

• Peak Hour Service: During peak hour service, the route will be shortened to operate between Pioneer High School and U-M Medical Center (Mott) and time will be added to improve on-time performance.
• The #14 and #9U route service will be through-routed at Mott. That is, a #14 bus that arrives at Mott will depart as a #9U bus to enable #14 riders to travel to and from the U-M campus and downtown without changing buses.
• Midday Service: Midday service will be eliminated.

Route 16 - Ann Arbor-Saline Road

• Service will be eliminated on two loops along the route: 1) William, Thompson and Hill streets and 2) OakValley east of Lohr, Ellsworth and Lohr Road south of Oak Valley. A third loop on Oakbrook, Main and Eisenhower streets will be shortened to use Northbrook rather than Main.

Once revised, maps and schedules showing the changes will be posted on the AATA web site, www.TheRide.org.

Route and schedule questions may be directed to AATA at 734.996.0400.