Comments on: Ypsi Waits at Bus Stop, Other Riders Unclear

By: Dave Askins

Dave Askins — Mon, 06 May 2013 14:29:49 +0000

Re: [7] “So a bus carrying mostly out-of-city commuters is considered an Ann Arbor transit benefit once the bus crosses the city line.”

It’s worth noting that the key highlight of the “resident-benefit” approach is that express services originating in the townships are assigned completely to the townships.

By: Vivienne Armentrout

Vivienne Armentrout — Mon, 06 May 2013 14:03:31 +0000

Re (6) AATA staff labored mightily to explain the relative costs by measures of population, tax base, other metrics. One dubious point is that they charged all miles within Ann Arbor against Ann Arbor’s benefits. So a bus carrying mostly out-of-city commuters is considered an Ann Arbor transit benefit once the bus crosses the city line.

But yes, by any measure Ann Arbor taxpayers will bear the greatest burden, probably 2.5 mills in contrast to 0.5 or about 1 mill from outside the city.

Points were made by several that non-transit benefits accrue to Ann Arbor, most specifically savings on construction of parking facilities.

By: John Floyd

John Floyd — Mon, 06 May 2013 05:15:21 +0000

Reading the article, it seemed to me that there was a sub-text of assumption that Ann Arbor taxpayers would pay disproportionately for the transit of those living outside of Ann Arbor. Did others get the same sense?

By: Arika

Arika — Sat, 04 May 2013 19:03:21 +0000

THANK YOU for this very helpful overview!!

By: Donna Estabrook

Donna Estabrook — Fri, 03 May 2013 00:42:07 +0000

When (I hope not “if”) the time comes to pitch a millage proposal to the taxpayers I hope that personal money savings will be stressed. My husband and I have not had a car in over two years. We have figured out that we save about $8,000 a year by not having a car. That is a good chunk of change – more than any millage hike would be. We are retired so do not have jobs to get to or children to drive to music lesson, etc. However, if the buses ran more frequently and covered more area perhaps some 2-car families could become 1-car families, as someone mentioned in the meeting. We also feel freed from the constant concern of keeping the car in good repair.

By: ken

ken — Thu, 02 May 2013 23:18:09 +0000

Perhaps it is now time to consider merging the U-M bus system with the AATA. Merging the two systems would create the strength needed both monetarily as well as immediate personal and equipment demand to form a Regional Transit Authority for Washtenaw County.

Merging the two systems would also perhaps lower the operating cost of the new Authority, resulting in less cost burden on the Tax payers.

By: Dave Askins

Dave Askins — Thu, 02 May 2013 22:34:30 +0000

[.pdf of AATA articles of incorporation]

By: David Cahill

David Cahill — Thu, 02 May 2013 22:32:50 +0000

Could someone provide a link to AATA’s articles of incorporation? I couldn’t find them online.