I just received some information from the AATA about the elimination of the LINK, which I am posting below.  But first, a little background.

I was at meetings with the DDA Board (who provides funding for the LINK, as does the UM and the AATA) when they decided to not fund the LINK for this coming year.

The reasons they decided to stop funding the LINK are complex, but it mostly boil down to the fact that like most organizations, the DDA needs to be intentional about what it funds.  There was a feeling on the DDA Board that the LINK service is not quite doing what the DDA had intended it to do when the service began and the DDA started funding it.  While the DDA Board sees value in having a downtown circulator (especially for people who walk a lot and need a way to get across downtown quickly), there are challenges to the current LINK service (the fact that it only runs every 15 minutes, the route it takes, the issues with wayfinding and marketing of the service and more) that really need to be worked out.  So the DDA wants to take some time to think about these issues and didn’t want to simply fund something it didn’t fully support.

The UM also decided to stop funding the LINK, but I don’t know all of the reasons behind that.

This is my take on the issue.  Others might have other opinions.

Please read the statement below if you want to submit your thoughts about the Link.

There will also be a public meeting on August 10th (more info below) if you would like to talk to the AATA about this.

The Ann Arbor Transportation Authority is proposing the discontinuation of the Link route. The route has operated from September through April, with no service during the spring or summer. If this proposal is adopted, service will not resume on August 30, 2009.

Since 2005, local funding for the Link has been provided by the University of Michigan, the Ann Arbor Downtown Development Authority (DDA) and the AATA. After discussing the role of the Link in the downtown area, the DDA decided to discontinue funding for the downtown portion of the route. The DDA is determining whether to redesign a new circulator service at a later date.

With the loss of the connection to the downtown business districts, the University of Michigan has decided to operate service between Oxford Housing and Central Campus using their own buses.

Due to the combined actions of the DDA and UM, the AATA is proposing to discontinue Link service.

Persons or organizations having questions or wishing to comment on the proposed change may do so by August 7, 2009 by one of the following methods:

1) By computer: Comment or ask questions by email to aatainfo@theride.org (put “Service Changes” in subject line).
2) By phone: Call the service change hotline at (734) 794-1880.
3) By fax: To 734.973.6338 (put “Service Changes” in subject line).
4) By mail: AATA Service Changes, 2700 S. Industrial Hwy., Ann Arbor, MI 48104.

A copy of all written comments and a summary of verbal comments will be provided to the AATA Board of Directors before a final decision is made on the proposed change.

A public drop-in meeting will be held on Monday, August 10th from 5:00pm – 7:00pm at the Ann Arbor Downtown Development Authority offices (150 S. Fifth Av. – 3rd floor, Ann Arbor).

Please stop by to give us your feedback and share your thoughts about the Link service!

FYI:

The City of Ypsilanti is developing a non-motorized plan and there is a great opportunity tomorrow for public input. All are invited.

Public Meeting about Ypsi non-motorized transportation plan
Thursday, July 30
6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
City Council Chambers
City Hall, 1 South Huron Street, Ypsilanti

Read more in an article here.

P.S. If you go and are so inclined, email us a report at info@getdowntown.org and we might post it on our blog.

AnnArbor.com reports that a cyclist traveling on Maple Rd. in Pittsfield township died after being struck by a car.

Read the story here.

A kind reader sent me the follow graphic that shows you just how much CO2 is emitted depending on how you commute and/or the type of transportation you use:

Makes sense that walking and biking would be the least emitting, but it is interesting to see how much capacity matters with the other modes.  The more you can pack people into a bus or railcar, the more environmentally sound it is.  It’s also interesting to see that the Prius is a pretty good option and would be even better if you decided to carpool in a Prius.

It would be interesting do to the same sort of graphic for cost or time, which people also think about when commuting or using a mode of transportation.

If I were to do the quick and dirty cost calculation, here’s what I would have for downtown Ann Arbor:

Most Expensive to Least Expensive Ways  Get to Work in Downtown A2 (note, car cost calculations based on this calc and a 20 mile commute)

• Car/SUV solo driver driving downtown (Around $950/ month or more with gas, parking, wear and tear, etc.)
• Car/SUV carpool driving downtown (There is preferential parking downtown at half price so around $870/month)
• Car/SUV driving to an AATA Park and Ride Lot without a go!pass (around $840/month)
• Car/SUV driving to an AATA Park and Ride Lot with a go!pass (around $800/month for gas, wear and tear, etc)
• Moped/Motorcycle driving downtown (not sure the other costs, but the parking would be free, I think it would fit here)
• Taking the bus to work without a go!pass ($40/month)
• Biking to work (about $5/month or more if you get a yearly tune-up, need to get tires, etc.
• Taking the bus to work with a go!pass ($0/month) or Walking to work ($0/month or more if you want nice shoes)