Then look no further than the Ann Arbor Transportation Plan Newsletter #2.
And don’t forget, the Final Public House for the Transportation Plan is Sept 23rd and City Hall!
FYI:
LABOR DAY TRANSIT SCHEDULE ANNOUNCED
ANN ARBOR, MI - The Ann Arbor Transportation Authority will not operate regular fixed-route bus service, A-Ride paratransit, or senior taxi services on Monday, September 1, 2008 in observance of the Labor Day holiday. Regular bus, paratransit and senior taxi services will resume on Tuesday, September 2.
AATA administrative offices at 2700 South Industrial Highway will be closed in observance of the holiday. The offices will reopen on Tuesday, September 2 on their regular 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. schedule. The Blake and Ypsilanti Transit Centers also will be closed on September 1 and reopen during their regular hours on September 2.
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.
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 at 734.996.0400 or on AATA’s Web Site at www.TheRide.org.
Megan Gibb, a former Michigander who now works for the Portland, OR Transit Agency, offers this advice to Michigan:
Why? Well, according to Gibb, that’s where the money is. Billions, actually. She uses the example of Portland, who as early as the 70’s began taking bold moves to invest in public transit, couple land use planning with transit development, and create public-private partnerships to turn blighted areas into livable communities. The result? Billions of dollars in cost savings and investment. In addition, the Portland region has attracted young, college educated professionals at 5 times the national rate.
That’s pretty exciting. And inspiring.
It’s also something Michigan can do if it takes the bold moves other states have taken to invest in public transit. As I see it, we are moving in that direction, albeit slowly. In the Metro Detroit region, there are plans for two commuter rails, a light rail down Woodward, a comprehensive plan for transit in Washtenaw County, and a conscious effort in Ann Arbor to tie land use to future transit development.
So where are the sticking points? Well money, of course. There’s not even enough of it to repair the roads we already have. To this end, there are several movements in the state to look at new ways to raise funds for transit, including the Drive Michigan initiative. Gibb also suggests that the Michigan Legislature pass House Bill 6114 “to provide a funding tool necessary for public-private partnerships.”
I would also say that we need more politicians pushing for transit. The economic, social, and business benefits have been demonstrated time and time again in other states. So why not here?
I know much will be put on hold during this election season, but I look forward to continuing to work on this issue in the coming years.
Let’s use just a little of this Labor Day weekend to think about the work ahead of us, and get ready to move forward (pun intended) soon.
