Ann Arbor Area Transportation Authority

Ann Arbor Area Transportation Authority
Slogan The Ride
Founded Chartered in 1969,[1] operating as early as 1976
Headquarters 2700 S. Industrial Hwy.,
Ann Arbor, MI
Service area Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti
Service type bus service, paratransit
Destinations Briarwood Mall, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, Eastern Michigan University, Washtenaw Comm College, Huron High School, U of M Hospital, Downtown Ypsilanti, Downtown Ann Arbor.
Stations Blake Transit Center, 331 S. Fourth Avenue, Ann Arbor
Ypsilanti Transit Center, 220 Pearl Street, Ypsilanti
Daily ridership 24,900 (2014)[2]
Fuel type B12
Operator Ann Arbor Area Transportation Authority
Chief executive Robert E. Guenzel[3]
Website http://www.theride.org/
An AAATA bus, with the blue-roofed Blake Transit Center in the background
AAATA 25th anniversary token

The Ann Arbor Area Transportation Authority (AAATA), which brands itself as "TheRide," is the public transit system serving the Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti, Michigan, area.

Overview

The authority operates fixed-route bus lines within its service area, as well as a paratransit system. It also operates transit centers in downtown Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti, as well as a number of park and ride lots in Ann Arbor. Other services provided by the authority include a campus shuttle at Eastern Michigan University and UM-sponsored commuter buses from Chelsea and Canton. The AAATA is also the designated authority for the planned Ann Arbor-Howell commuter rail line.[4]

The AAATA was the first transit authority in the United States to operate low-floor buses when, in early 1993, they took delivery of ten New Flyer D40LF buses. In terms of operation, only two Canadian authorities and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey operated such buses prior to the AAATA. The AAATA has introduced hybrid electric buses to its fleet of 69 and is the first public transit operator in the Midwest to state its intention to convert to all hybrid electric buses.[5]

In August 2013, the AAATA Board voted to change the agency's name from the Ann Arbor Transportation Authority to the Ann Arbor Area Transportation Authority.[6] The name change reflects the addition of neighboring Ypsilanti to the agency board and the growing focus on regional services within Washtenaw County's urban core. In December 2013, the Ann Arbor City Council approved adding Ypsilanti Township as a charter member of the AAATA.

In November 2012, the AATA broke ground on the new Blake Transit Center, at a cost of $8.1 million.[7] The new 2-story, 12,019-square-foot downtown transit hub replaced a one-story structure built at the site at 328 South Fifth Avenue in the 1980's. The project was officially opened for use on July 7, 2014.[8]

Fares

AAATA uses a fixed-fare system. Full fare is $1.50, payable by cash, tokens, or a (free) card provided by the University of Michigan to its community members. Half fare is $0.75, payable by cash, tokens, or a pass. The fare for the ExpressRide Canton and Chelsea is $6.25, payable by only cash. Riders can also get a commuter pass or a ten-ride ticket for discounts. Transfers are issued from the bus farebox, are free, and are valid for 90 minutes from the time of issue. Transfers cannot be used for a trip on the ExpressRide routes or for a return trip on the same route.

Routes

  • ExpressRide: Canton
  • ExpressRide: Chelsea
  • 1 Pontiac – Dhu Varren
  • 1U Pontiac–University
  • 2A/B/C Plymouth
  • 3 Huron River
  • 4A/B Washtenaw
  • 5A/B/C/D Packard
  • 6A/B/C Ellsworth
  • 7 South Main – East
  • 8A/B Pauline
  • 9 Jackson–Dexter
  • 10 Ypsilanti Northeast
  • 11 Ypsilanti South
  • 12A/B Miller–Liberty
  • 13 Newport
  • 14 Geddes – East Stadium
  • 15 Scio Church – West Stadium
  • 16 Ann Arbor-Saline Road
  • 17 Amtrak Station – Depot Street
  • 18A/B Miller–University
  • 20 Ypsilanti Grove – Ecorse
  • 22 Ann Arbor Connector
  • 33 College of Business Shuttle
  • 36 Wolverine Tower Shuttle
  • 609 Dexter–University (formerly route 9U)
  • 787 AirRide (Detroit Metro Apart Shuttle)

The AAATA ran a free Link Bus connecting central campus and downtown during the U-M school year until 20 August 2009.[9][10][11]

References

  1. ↑ http://www.aata.org/faq.asp AATA FAQ page
  2. ↑ "Fourth Quarter & End-of-Year 2014". Public Transportation Ridership Report. American Public Transportation Association. Retrieved 9 March 2015.
  3. ↑ "Executive Staff | Leadership | About Us | AATA - Ann Arbor Transportation Authority". Retrieved 1 August 2014.
  4. ↑ Shea, Bill (2008-10-29). "Ann Arbor-Howell commuter rail line chugs ahead; authority named". Crain's Detroit Business. Retrieved 2008-10-31.
  5. ↑ "AATA Goes Hybrid". Arbor Update—Ann Arbor Area Community News. 24 October 2007. Retrieved 23 August 2009.
  6. ↑ "Just Say The Ride". Ann Arbor Chronicle. August 15, 2013. Retrieved 17 January 2014.
  7. ↑ Stanton, Ryan J. (19 November 2012). "AATA breaks ground on $8.1M new and improved Blake Transit Center in downtown Ann Arbor". AnnArbor.com (MLive Media Group). Retrieved 19 February 2015.
  8. ↑ Kline, Don. "Grand opening ceremony celebrates AAATA’s new and improved downtown Blake Transit Center". http://www.theride.org/''. Ann Arbor Area Transportation Authority. Retrieved 19 February 2015.
  9. ↑ "Fares". Ann Arbor Transportation Authority. 2009. Retrieved 23 August 2009.
  10. ↑ "The Link" (PDF). Ann Arbor Transportation Authority. 2009. Retrieved 23 August 2009.
  11. ↑ Reed, Tina (8 August 2009). "Downtown Ann Arbor Link bus service not expected to resume". News (AnnArbor.com). Retrieved 19 October 2010.

External links