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Topic: Mta -workers to Lapeer, Imlay City not Flint

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untanglingwebs
El Supremo

Study ranks Flint's MTA eighth nationwide for growth in ...


www.mlive.com/news/flint/index.ssf/2013/12/flints_mta_ranks_eighth...

Dec 07, 2013 · Study ranks Flint's MTA eighth nationwide for ... especially for work-related ... two buses daily -- (and) to Lapeer and Imlay City


Last edited by untanglingwebs on Sat May 31, 2014 6:53 am; edited 1 time in total
Post Thu May 29, 2014 4:40 pm 
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo

Study ranks Flint's MTA eighth nationwide for growth in public transit

Ron Fonger | rfonger1@mlive.com By Ron Fonger | rfonger1@mlive.com
on December 07, 2013 at 6:00 AM, updated December 07, 2013 at 6:05 AM

FLINT, MI -- Passengers on Flint's Mass Transportation Authority have posted one of the nation's largest increases in passenger traffic from 2005 to 2010, according to a new report by the PIRGIM Education Fund.



The study ranked Flint eighth nationwide in passenger miles traveled per capita on public transit and tenth of 100 areas studied -- with a 31.1 percent increase in passenger trips per capita -- during the same five-year period.

MTA General Manager Ed Benning said the study isn't surprising as ridership has been building for several years, including regularly scheduled service, Your Ride and regional transportation.

"We've seen it increasing, especially for work-related transportation," Benning said. "We've added new service to Saginaw -- two buses daily -- (and) to Lapeer and Imlay City.

"There is a growing need ... and what we're seeing is (that) public transportation is becoming the option of choice," he said. "The only thing that's limiting us now is that we have to live within the funds we have."

MTA ridership actually peaked at just over 7 million rides per year when the agency was providing transportation for the Flint School District.

The district used MTA to transport students for 10 years before switching back to its own buses in 2002.

Benning said ridership has been building back up again, rising to 6.2 million in the fiscal year that ended in September.

That performance was good enough to rank the transit agency high nationally for increased usage.

The PIRGIM study also said the proportion of households with two or more vehicles in Flint fell 3.8 percent from 2005 to 2010 and called on leaders in state government to support transportation initiative that reflect changing transportation trends.

Nationwide, the study says the McAllen, Texas, area ranked first for largest increase in passenger miles traveled per capita on public transit.

The PIRGIM Education Fund says it works to protect consumers and promote good government by investigating problems, crafting solutions, educating the public, and offering citizens meaningful opportunities for civic participation.
Post Thu May 29, 2014 4:45 pm 
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo

MTA board approves less frequent bus stops, reduced summer hours
Print Ron Fonger | rfonger1@mlive.com By Ron Fonger | rfonger1@mlive.com
on May 29, 2014 at 5:00 PM, updated May 29, 2014 at 5:03 PM

FLINT, MI -- The Mass Transportation Authority Board of Directors has approved big changes to summer bus service in the city, including a plan for stopping less often at established stops and shutting down service three hours earlier every day.

MTA General Manager Ed Benning said the agency's board agreed today, May 29, to end fixed route service at 6:30 p.m. daily instead of 9:30 p.m. and to double the time in between buses making stops throughout Genesee County.

"The last thing we want to do is reduce service," Benning said. "We need to increase service because people in this community need more services."

What's preventing maintaining fixed route service is an estimated $1 million budget deficit in the fiscal year that ends Sept. 31, a budget problem officials have said is tied to declining revenues from millages -- the result of lower property values.

Benning said MTA will post information on its Web site and have representatives at the downtown transportation center to help arrange for Your Ride service for riders who rely on service after 6:30 p.m. for jobs, medical appointments or college classes.

The changes did not sit well Thursday with some riders at the downtown Flint bus station.

"It's not right. What about the people who work? It's not fair to us just because they want to cut time and save a little money over the summer," said Dewon Payne, 28, of Flint.

Brian Gangraw, 41, of Flint said he's worried the changes will make him late for work.

"I've got a job that will cut me if I don't make it in time. This could hurt people's jobs," said Gangraw.

James Crawford, 35, of Flint agreed.

"I've got to get to work," said Crawford. "I can understand what they are doing, but people have to get to work and come back. I feel sorry for the people who might have to walk home after 6:30 p.m. It can be dangerous."

Flint Councilman Sheldon Neeley cast the lone vote against the cuts, saying other options were available.

"My preference would have been to look at trying to solicit a philanthropic (gift) to help to cover the shortfall for this particular year, (and) many people said they were willing to pay a little more to keep the service activated," Neeley said after today's meeting.

Benning said the changes are expected to last from June 23 until Sept. 2, and "will be restored on Sept. 2, 2014," according to a statement on the MTA Web site.

Information about how to to schedule replacement Your Ride service "will be provided in upcoming weeks," the online statement says.

Staff writer Nathan Clark contributed to this report.
Post Thu May 29, 2014 4:55 pm 
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo

Bus storage facility in Grand Blanc Township proposed for 2014, hearing set for Wednesday
Print Ron Fonger | rfonger1@mlive.com By Ron Fonger | rfonger1@mlive.com
on January 15, 2014 at 6:00 AM, updated January 15, 2014 at 6:05 AM


genesee.jpg

GENESEE COUNTY, MI -- Five 2014 construction projects could be added to the county's short-term Transportation Improvement Program after public hearings Wednesday, Jan. 15, including $2.7-million for a 20-bus storage facility in Grand Blanc Township.

The hearings are scheduled for 7 p.m. in the third-floor auditorium of the county administration building, 1101 Beach St., Flint, and are a part of the county Metropolitan Alliance.

Mass Transportation Authority General Manager Ed Benning said the $2.7-million bus storage project involves the construction of a facility specifically for compressed natural gas buses that the agency plans to purchase.

"When you store these vehicles there has to be proper safety contingencies," Benning said.

The compressed natural gas buses are expected to replace vehicles that are currently being used to transport workers to jobs outside the county,according to Benning, and construction on the storage facility at Maple Road and South Dort Highway won't start until late summer or early fall.

Other proposed additions to the 2014-2017 transportation improvement plan are the rehabilitation of a bridge over Mistequay Creek on Duffield Road ($673,000); rehabilitation of a Bristol Road bridge near Baker College; reconstruction of McCaslin Lake Road, south of MaCaslin Lake to north of Silver Lake Road ($1.06 million); and an asphalt overlay on M-13, north of I-69 to M-21 ($702,000)

In addition to the hearing on the additions to the 2014-2017 TIP, the county is also conducting a hearing at the same meeting on its 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan.

An announcement from the county says the LRTP identifies the county's transportation deficiencies, summarizes the transportation network, and offers a vision of projected transportation needs over the next 25 years.
Post Thu May 29, 2014 5:39 pm 
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo

"The compressed natural gas buses are expected to replace vehicles that are currently being used to transport workers to jobs outside the county,according to Benning, and construction on the storage facility at Maple Road and South Dort Highway won't start until late summer or early fall."
Post Thu May 29, 2014 5:40 pm 
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