What do we all need more of in our lives, yet is incredibly hard to find more of? Time and money. We’ve talked to a few people that have found that by taking the bus they’ve each saved time and money.

Saving Money

Sherry Miller from Miller, Canfield, Paddock and Stone PLC says that the bus saves her money and the ride is relaxing…

“I believe that utilizing the AATA transit system is a great way to save a ridiculous amount of money that it would cost me to park my car in a structure to work downtown.  Also, I find that riding the bus in to the station from the Park & Ride in the morning is relaxing and non-stressful.  I’d recommend it to anybody.  I love my go!pass!”

Renee Twining, an Administrative Assistant at the University of Michigan Hospital, says that by parking at the Miller Park & Ride and taking the bus each day she saves money.  To buy a pass at the Hospital’s parking lot would be “minimum $600/year to just get close to hospital and then you have to take a commuter bus” to make the final leg of the journey.

Saving Time

Chris DeVries of the University of Michigan CBDSM says that the combination of taking the bus and walking into his office is a great energizing activity each day…

“Since my commute is long (45 miles one way), I have been using the Park & Ride lots, AATA, and walking to get to work. Riding the bus allows me to read the newspaper or a book before and after work – taking my mind off work for a few minutes. The walking also gets my blood flowing in the morning, so I am ready to go when I get in the office.”

Renee Twining said that she gets to read and enjoy her coffee on the ride in.“I LOVE taking the bus!  Relaxing, and I always make it to work on time.”

According to Eileen Chaivre, an Administrative Support Specialist at the City of Ann Arbor, “By the time I walk to the Ann Ashley parking structure, get to my car and get out of the structure, I am passing Pioneer High at the same time or only a few minutes before the bus would be dropping me off”.

Think about your commute and how changing a few habits could result in time and money saved each day.  If you take Miller Road or Main Street into downtown each morning, why not park at a Park & Ride Lot and have the bus take you in? If you’re looking for more information on how to use the Park & Ride lots, or want to know what Lot would be best for you, give us a call at 734-214-0100 or visit http://getdowntown.org/bus/park_ride.html

The AATA is looking for public comment regarding some changes to routes over on the NE side of town.  These routes are happening as part of the creation of a new Park & Ride Lot at Plymouth Rd and US-23, which would make it easier to park and take the bus into downtown.  Read on for details.

If approved by the AATA Board of Directors, the following  route changes would go into effect on Sunday, January 24, 2010:

The proposal for Route 2 – Plymouth includes two alternate routings:

2A from downtown Ann Arbor would serve Nixon and Green roads before serving the new Park & Ride lot, and then take Plymouth Road to downtown.

2B from downtown Ann Arbor would serve the new Park & Ride lot, and then serve Green and Nixon Roads going to downtown.

Service between Plymouth/Nixon and the Blake Transit Center downtown would be unchanged.

NEW ROUTE!

Weekday service on Route 2 on Green Road south of Plymouth Road to Glacier Hills would be replaced with a new Route 23 – Green-Glazier. Route 2 would continue to operate to the Green Road Park & Ride Lot evenings and weekends.

Route 23 would serve neighborhoods south of Plymouth Road, including Glacier Hills, Greenhills School, the Green Road Park & Ride Lot and Greenbrier Apartments. The new route would operate every 30 minutes with weekday service only. Trips would be timed to connect with Route 2 on Plymouth Road.

Route 2X would be renamed as Route 602 – Plymouth Limited, and would be extended along Plymouth Road to serve the new Park & Ride lot and would no longer serve Traverwood Boulevard or Nixon Road.

Bus stops would be added at Georgetown Boulevard and Green Road.

Service would continue to operate during morning and afternoon peak hours only, and

the frequency would be increased to every 20 minutes.

Route 602 would continue to provide direct service to downtown Ann Arbor and the University of Michigan Central Campus with limited stops

Persons or organizations having questions or wishing to comment on the proposed changes may do so between October 8 and November 6, 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.

5) At public information meetings:

Meetings will be held at the Traverwood Branch of the Ann Arbor District Library, 3333 Traverwood Drive, at Huron Parkway, Ann Arbor, as follows:

Thursday, October 15 – Noon-2:00 p.m.

Tuesday, October 20 – 4:00-6:00 p.m.

Thursday, October 22 – 5:00-7:00 p.m.

Tuesday, October 27 – 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.

Routes 1 and 2X currently serve the Traverwood Branch Library.

At each public meeting, there will be an opportunity to discuss the proposed route changes individually with AATA staff members.

The facilities are accessible, and reasonable accommodation to permit persons with disabilities to participate will be made if requested at least two days in advance at 734.973.6500. Two-week notice is required for interpreter service for persons with hearing impairments.

Copies of maps and timetables for the proposed changes are available at the AATA web site, www.TheRide.org, or by contacting AATA by one of the methods listed above. Copies are available in alternative formats upon request.

A copy of all written comments and a summary of verbal comments will be provided to the AATA Board of Directors before a decision is made on adopting the proposed changes. The board will consider the changes at its November 18 meeting.