2010 promises to be a watershed year for the Ann Arbor Transportation Authority, with the mass transit agency investing in infrastructure, planning to build more service, gearing up for the Detroit-Ann Arbor commuter rail service to begin, and exploring the idea of becoming a county-wide agency.
The Detroit-Ann Arbor commuter rail train is still expected to pull into stations in Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti this fall. The Southeast Michigan Council of Governments, which is quarterbacking the project, has nailed down $3.5 million in funding from the federal government and is applying for even more federal funding. It has also reached an agreement with railroad companies that own the track and is ironing out other behind-the-scenes details.
AATA is also exploring the possibility of becoming a transportation agency that could cover all of Washtenaw County. A recent telephone survey shows that 72 percent of 1,100 registered county voters called transit services extremely or very important. Another 51 percent of voters said they would probably or definitely support a county-wide transit millage.
AATA recently opened the new Plymouth Road "Park & Ride" Lot at the US-23/Plymouth Road interchange on the city's northeast side. The parking lot contains 260 parking spaces and a covered parking area for 20 bicycles. It will be serviced by AATA’s Route 2 Plymouth.
AATA has also decided to demolish and rebuild the Blake Transit Center in downtown Ann Arbor. About 5,000 bus riders pass through the station each day on a transit system that has doubled its ridership in the last 22 years. AATA estimates the project will cost between $2.7 and $3.7 million.
The new transit center will be designed to include an interactive public lobby/waiting room with a capacity of 60-75 people, information kiosks, a concession space, expanded public restrooms, a public board room accommodating 60-75 guests, a computer room, an improved employee lounge area and additional facility storage space. For information on the project, send an email to aatainfo@theride.org.
Source: Southeast Michigan Council of Governments and Ann Arbor Transportation Authority
Writer: Jon Zemke
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