Washtenaw Avenue in Michigan Planning Magazine!
Expand to a Regional Transit System
Action OutcomeDevelop a transit system that ensures all County residents and workers can get to jobs, lifeline, and leisure activities via transit service. Statustransit and transit testimonials from the community Action ChampionsJeff Irwin, Commissioner, Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners Action ManagerTerri Blackmore, Executive Director, Washtenaw Area Transportation Study For information contact Terri Blackmore at blackmoret@miwats.org. |
Action Description
A great transit system was identified by the A2Success workgroups as key to attracting and retaining talent. Expanding the region’s transit system includes identifying additional funding as well as the appropriate components of a high-functioning transit system (fixed route, community connections, commuter rail, demand response or lifeline service, etc.)
This service could include sustainable, reliable fixed-route service in the urbanized area with more frequent and longer service, community connectors, commuter services via express bus and rail, and lifeline transit service throughout Washtenaw County. This type of high-functioning transit service provides a high quality of life through transportation choice and availability to all users, reduced congestion, improved air quality, and increased economic investment.
Action Team
Terri Blackmore, Washtenaw Area Transportation Study
Michael Behnam, Citizen
Eli Cooper, City of Ann Arbor
Anya Dale, Washtenaw County
Gretchen Driskell, Mayor, City of Saline
Vanessa Hansle, RideConnect
John Hieftje, Mayor, Ann Arbor
Carsten Hohnke, Ann Arbor City Council
Diane Keller, Ypsilanti Area Chamber of Commerce
Brett Lenart, Washtenaw County
Susan Pollay, Ann Arbor DDA
Nick Sapkiewicz, Washtenaw Area Transportation Study
Frant Schwende, Washtenaw Biking and Walking Coalition
Nancy Shore, GetDowntown Program
Conan Smith, Michigan Suburbs Alliance, and WCBC
Mary Stasiak, Ann Arbor Transportation Authority
Chris White, Ann Arbor Transportation Authority
Action Timeline
|
Action Steps |
Timelines |
|
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Develop a transit expansion plan for Washtenaw County (include projects, costs, funding, organizational steps) | Adopted January 2009 |
| 2. | Educate County leaders about proposed transit plan (presentations to businesses, governments, non-profits, etc.) | January to December 2009 |
| 3. | Survey County residents on transit | June 2009 |
| 4. | Reorganize transit authority under Public Act 196 | June 2009 |
| 5. | Establish campaign to build support for increased transit funding to realize expansion plan | May to November 2009 |
| 6. | Educate residents, businesses, community on transit benefits, needs (including funding), proposed expansion, and implementation strategies (funding opportunities) | May to November 2009 |
| 7. | Voter action | November 2009 or later |
| 8. | If funding available, implement transit expansion plan | Begin implementing in phases as soon as funding identified |
Communications to Date
Presentations to communities and community groups:
City Councils – Ann Arbor, Ypsilanti, Saline
Township Boards – Ann Arbor, Superior, Ypsilanti, Lyndon, York
DDA’s – Ann Arbor, Ypsilanti Downtown, Ypsilanti Depot Town
Planning Groups - CAPT/DART, MORE, SSC, SWWCOG
Religous Groups - WS UMW, MOSES
Chambers – Ypsilanti, Ann Arbor, Dexter
Chief Elected Officials
Transit Agencies – AATA, WAVE, PEX
Community Groups – West Side Methodist Church, Rotary Club of Chelsea
Metrics and Reporting
-
Increase in transit mode use (e.g. number of bus, rail, non-motorized trips)
-
Increase in geographic areas of services
-
Expansion of time span when service is provided (e.g. transit service that runs later at night, earlier in the morning or on weekends)
