AATA Route 4: Continued Ridership Gains

As part of its performance monitoring and external relations information packet for the March 15, 2012 meeting, the Ann Arbor Transportation Authority board was provided with an update on the performance of Route #4 between Ypsilanti and Ann Arbor. The frequency of service was increased on the route starting in February.

Compared to a corresponding four-week period in February 2011, ridership on Route #4 was 26% greater. That compared with a system‐wide ridership increase of 12% for the same period – an increase attributed primarily to very good weather. Chris White, AATA manager of service development, is still cautious about drawing conclusions from the initial data, writing in an email to The Chronicle, “It is very positive, but please note that the service has not been in place long enough to judge the results.”

The on‐time performance of Route #4 increased from 74% in 2011 to 95% in 2012. System‐wide on-time performance increased from 85% to 91%.

The initial report on Route #4 ridership, one week after more frequent service was offered, showed an increase of 8% compared to the previous week and compared to a systemwide ridership decrease of 0.6%.  The AATA board authorized the increased service on Route #4 at its Nov. 17, 2011 meeting.