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.

Our updated guide to commuting into downtown Ann Arbor during the Art Fairs is now up on our website!

This year there is a new shuttle from the West Side leaving from Maple Village Shopping Center, a trolley that circulates around the downtown, as well as the other Art Fair shuttles that run from Pioneer High School Park & Ride Lot and Briarwood Mall.  This information plus great maps, biking information and more are all found here.

If you have questions or need more information, please contact us at 734-214-0100!

Ann Arbor has once again made it on one of those lists.  This time we were ranked #14 out of the 50 top Bike Friendly Cities by Bicycling Magazine.

Here’s the slide with a picture of Ann Arbor and some other info

So who are the cities that came in ahead of us?  Here are the top 5 bike friendly cities, according the Bicycling Magazine:

1. Minneapolis, MN
2. Portland, OR
3. Boulder, CO
4. Seattle, OR
5. Eugene, OR

The getDowntown.org website is down as a result of an issue with the servers where the website is hosted.  They are working on the problem and hopefully we should be back up soon.  I’ll post when the site is back up.

For 10 years, the getDowntown Program has had the tagline: Commuting Opportunities in Ann Arbor

We’d like to change the tagline to something new.  And we’d like your help.

Help us pick a new tagline by voting for your favorite here: getDowntown tagline vote

There are some changes in AATA bus routes because of the new Park & Ride at Plymouth Road and other items.  If you work in downtown Ann Arbor and have any questions about these changes, please contact getDowntown.

FYI from the AATA:

On Sunday, January 24, The Ann Arbor Transportation Authority will implement service changes to bus routes 2, 6 and 22.

The service changes will include improved service on Route 2 with connections to the new Plymouth Road Park & Ride Lot, new routing on the inbound Route 6 to serve Research Park Drive and schedule and routing adjustments on Route 22.

Route 2 – Plymouth
Route 2 overview
Route 2: from Downtown map & schedule
Route 2: to Downtown map & schedule

Weekday service will now connect to the new Plymouth Road Park & Ride Lot, and additional trips are being added at midday and peak commuting times. Route 2X has been renumbered as route 2C and integrated into the route 2 schedule. This route will provide service to the Glazier Way/Earhart Road neighborhood and will provide a faster connection to the Kerrytown/City Hall area and UM Central Campus without serving the UM Medical Center.

The service changes include renumbering of Routes 2 and 2X to Routes 2A, 2B and 2C as follows:

Route 2A: Plymouth via Nixon/Green

• Route 2A will connect the Green Road/Nixon Road neighborhoods and the new Plymouth Road Park & Ride Lot to the UM Medical Center, UM Central Campus and the Blake Transit Center in downtown Ann Arbor.

Route 2B: Plymouth

• Route 2B will connect the Plymouth/Georgetown Road neighborhood and the Plymouth Road Park & Ride Lot to the UM Medical Center, UM Central Campus and the Blake Transit Center in downtown Ann Arbor.
• Weekday morning and afternoon trips will travel to and from the new Plymouth Road Park & Ride Lot.
• Evening and weekend trips will serve both the Plymouth Road and the Green Road Park & Ride lots.
• Service frequencies range from 15 minutes during the morning and afternoon to 30 – 60 minutes in the evening.

Route 2C: Plymouth via Glazier

• Route 2C replaces route 2X.
• This route will connect the Glazier Way/Earhart Road neighborhood and the Green Road Park & Ride Lot to the Kerrytown/City Hall area and UM Central Campus.
• The service will provide faster trips to the downtown area without serving the UM Medical Center. Trips to the UM Medical Center can be made by using Routes 2A, 2B or the UM Intercampus Route (which serves the Green Road Park & Ride Lot).
• Route 2C will provide service to and from downtown using Washington Street, but will not stop at the Blake Transit Center.
• Weekday service will operate every 30 minutes during peak hours and every 60 minutes midday.
• Weekend service to Glazier Way and Earhart Rd. will be provided on Route 22.
• Weekend service to downtown Ann Arbor can be made by using route 2A and 2B from the Green Rd. Park & Ride Lot.

Route 6: Ellsworth
Route 6: to Ann Arbor map & schedule

As a result of a collaborative effort between the Ann Arbor Transportation Authority and the Ann Arbor Center for Independent Living (AACIL), all trips on Route 6 going to downtown Ann Arbor will serve Research Park Drive with new bus stops at the Social Security Office and the AACIL.

There will be no change on the trips to Ypsilanti. The portion of the route on Ellsworth west of Research Park Drive and on State Street south of Research Park Drive will be served only on trips to Ypsilanti.

Route 22: Connector
Route 22: North map & schedule
Route 22: South map & schedule
Recommended transfer boarding locations

Northbound trips will continue the long-term detour on Washtenaw east of Carpenter Road before heading west to the Arborland area to provide for safe transfers with other buses. Timepoint adjustments will be made at several places along Route 22. In addition, Route 22 will now serve the Glazier Way and Earhart Road neighborhoods on Saturdays. Direct service to the VA Medical Center will no longer be available on Saturdays.

• Northbound service will continue the detour east on Washtenaw to Glencoe Crossing before heading west to serve the Arborland area.
• Saturday afternoon trips will be extended beyond the Green Road Park & Ride Lot to serve Glazier Way and Earhart Rd.
• Adjustments will be made to multiple timepoints.
• Buses will not pull directly into VA Hospital on Saturdays. Boarding is available at bus stops along Fuller Road.

The latest information on AATA routes, schedules and detours is available at 734.996.0400 and on the AATA Routes and Schedules page.

In August 2009 the AATA began offering a new service, the A2 Express. It is comprised of the Canton-to-Ann Arbor Canton Express, and the Chelsea-to-Ann Arbor Chelsea Express. Making commuting into Ann Arbor easy and green for downtown employees is what we’re all about at getDowntown, so I sat down with a Canton Express commuter, Rosanne Frank of Miller Canfield, to get a better understanding of how this bus route works!

gDt: Why did you decide to try commuting by bus?
Rosanne Frank: I saw the flier [for the A2 Express] at our office and the times fit my work schedule, so I tried it. There was a two-week free trial in September that worked great for me, so I started commuting daily by bus in October.

gDt:How has the cost of the A2 Express Commuter Pass balanced out against the price you were paying to commute by car?
RF: I drive a Ford Explorer which doesn’t have the best mileage. It gets 17 mpg. And when you drive in from Canton, which was approximately 25 miles, which could be 3 gallons a day. That could end up being $40 or more in gas a week. I pay $62.50 for the Commuter Pass [as a go!pass holder] once a month. Plus I don’t have to pay for parking for my car at the Ann & Ashley structure.

gDt: How does the A2 Express work?
RF: I start my day at 7:17 am at Independence Park and the bus driver is extremely punctual. I get dropped off between 7:55 and 8:00 a.m. one block from my office. Before when I drove it’d take 25-30 minutes to commute by myself, but then sometimes I would get caught in traffic. I’m able to catch the bus home at 5:08pm. I work an 8-5 day, so I end up putting in an extra half hour each day on this schedule. Because I put in extra time during the week, my bosses let me leave on the 3:35 pm bus one day per week
I’m happy that I take the bus. If I know in advance that I am going to have a busy schedule at work I can take an earlier bus. If I need to get home early for some emergency, there is an emergency cab that is offered, so I know that I have a way to get back to Canton.

gDt: What in particular do you like about the A2 Express?
RF: The buses are comfortable and the drivers are great. The drivers also know where each rider’s stop is so if we don’t need to stop, he doesn’t. The buses are on time too, very punctual.

gDt: What do you do to pass the time on your ride?
RF: Listen to my iPod, sometimes I sleep. A lot of people read and some other riders are coworkers so they ride in together.

gDt: Had you only been a car commuter before?
RF: Yes.

gDt: Have you tried to convince any of your other coworkers to commute by methods other than the car?
RF: I have. My other coworkers’ schedules are too irregular for the bus to work for them. I’m glad that Miller Canfield is a part of the go!pass program, and that they allow me to work within the bus schedule and are flexible so I can take advantage of the A2 Express.

Thank you to Rosanne for her time! If you have any questions about the A2 Express, visit www.a2express.org or call 734-996-0400. If you are a go!pass holder and would like to purchase the discounted tickets, please contact the getDowntown Program at 734-214-0100.

I recently spoke at the Workantile Exchange on how not to be a slave to your car.  After my presentation, I asked the audience to help me come up with some hints and tips for others wh0 might want to break (or at least loosen) the chains between them and their cars.

Here are the hints and tips we came up with.  Feel free to add your own in the comments section.

How Not to Be a Slave to Your Car

1. Get a decent commuter bike. Get fenders for your bike and chain guard so you can keep your pants clean.

2. Get all-weather gear. Prepare for the inevitable rain, snow and wind that are part of Michigan’s seasons.

3. Start biking when the weather is nice (like now).  Then gradually ease into cooler months.

4. Check out bicycle commuting websites like Commute by Bike.

5. Be willing to spend $200 on a nice gortex jacket and $200 on pants.  And $75 and booties, gloves etc.  These are all worth it to have a pleasant cool weather bike ride.  While the cost might seem like a lot, it doesn’t even compare with how much it costs for insurance for your car, gas, etc?

6. If things totally fall apart, you can put your bike on the bus.  Here’s a step by step picture guide to show you how.

7. If you think you’ll get sweaty on your bike ride, get a membership to the YMCA.  Then you can go to the YMCA and shower there.

8. Learn the bus system. Then, if your car breaks down, or you break a leg and can’t drive, you can still get where you need to go.  Need assistance?  email info@getdowntown.org.

9. Don’t be afraid to ask someone for a ride.  Sharing rides/carpooling can be fun and relaxing.

10. Look at other ways to get where you want to go (e.g. taking the Amtrak or Megabus to get to Chicago instead of driving.)

11. If you are walking, try and find pleasant alternatives. Don’t want on the nasty streets that are depressing and busy.

12. Get a Zipcar Membership. That way, you can see if you really do need a car as much as you think you do.  And they’re good for running errands or going to meetings without paying to park downtown.

13. Read How to Live Well Without A Car.

Any other thoughts or suggestions?  Put them in the comments section below.

Starting today there is now some on-street bike parking in three different locations in downtown Ann Arbor.  This is temporary parking that will be around during the warmer months.  Each on-street bike parking rack holds about a dozen bikes.  The racks are located in front of the People’s Food Co-Op on Fourth Ave, Arbor Brewing Company on Washington, and Bivouac on State Street.

Here are some pictures of the one at the People’s Food Co-op.  It already has some bikes in it!

I recently listened to a podcast that got me thinking about where children play.  In the podcast, James Howard Kunstler discusses the effects of suburban sprawl on childhood obesity.   If you think about the typical suburban community, like the one I grew up in in Maryland, the play areas for children are often created exclusively for playing.   I clearly remember the “playground” inside a local mall.  I’m sure many of you have play structures in your neighborhoods.

Oftentimes, parents take their children to these spaces because they are percieved as safe and comfortable.  They are specifically for children and allow kids to do something in a kid-safe environment.  This is also a reason why many families move out to the suburbs once they have kids.  Since downtowns don’t have play structures, they aren’t really supposed to be for kids, right?

But here’s the challenge and how I link it back to childhood obesity.  In addition to play structures in many neighborhoods in Ann Arbor, there have also been the creation of other place spaces that can pretty much only be gotten to by driving.   Think about Jungle Java for example, where kids can play while their parents sip coffee.  I know of two of these play spaces.  One is on Jackson after Wagner and the other is on Washtenaw.  Both locations are not very friendly to walking or biking.  So rather than kids being able to just walk to a place to play, they have to be driven to that place.  This is kind of how people who want to work out will drive 10 miles to go to the gym.

Here again is an interesting example of segregating uses for development.  Instead of everything being mixed into one community, so you can play, eat, shop, work, work-out, etc. in one place, all of those uses are spread apart so that you are encouraged to drive from one destination to the other.  And this could defintely make it harder to get the kinds of exercise that can keep all of us fit.  I’m talking about the little bits of exercise you get when you live in a walkable place where walking/biking is just a way to get around.

But here’s the challenge, suppose we want to encourage kids to be able to walk to places where they can place.  Since downtown Ann Arbor seems to be very walkable . . . how do we design places like downtown Ann Arbor in a way that is both friendly for kids and adults?  Do we actually need to do anything different?  Can kids “play” just fine without a specific place for them to do so?   Or do parents feel like downtown Ann Arbor would be a bad place to raise a child because of the lack of schools and other things kids need?

I guess the reason I am bringing all of this up is that I often hear that downtowns (including downtown Ann Arbor) are not good for families because they lack the type of spaces that families need.  But then many of these families move out to the suburbs and are forced to drive everywhere including to drop kids off at daycare, to go on play dates, etc.  Not only does this cut down on exercise, but it also takes time . . . time that could be spent in a community.

The more I look at these different issues, the more I see how important it is to create walkable spaces with a variety of uses that allow everyone–from a small child, to a teenager, to an adult, to a senior–to get around without having to drive.  It just seems to make sense.  But development still hasn’t caught up.  I wonder if other people feel the same way.