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Total Ann Arbor Transportation Authority (AATA) bus ridership reached 6,229,131 for calendar year 2008. Ridership has risen more than 38% since 2004. Ninety-one percent of Ann Arbor households are within 1/4 mile of an AATA bustop, and 99% are within 1/2 mile.
Source: Ann Arbor Transportation Authority |
The recent jump in ridership is partly to do with MRide, a partnership with the University of Michigan that allows students and faculty to ride for free. The commutes of Ann Arbor workers represent fairly high percentages of non-Single Occupancy modes of transportation when compared to the country as a whole.
What is the Ann Arbor Transportation Authority?
The AATA, a not-for-profit unit of government, operates the local public transit system for the greater Ann Arbor-Ypsilanti area. AATA enables the area's residents to reach their destinations at reasonable cost, and offers the region efficient, environmentally sound transportation alternatives.
How does riding the bus affect the Ann Arbor environment?
AATA has been a pioneer among transit operators nationwide in pursuing cleaner air. From the late 1980s through 1995, AATA voluntarily converted its entire fleet to a "clean diesel" system using low-sulfur diesel fuel - years ahead of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency directives for federal emissions standards that require buses to meet low-sulfur levels by 2004.
In 2002, AATA became the first transit system in the Midwest to begin using ultra-low-sulfur diesel fuel in all its buses. When coupled with new engine technology, AATA cut its emissions by as much as 90 percent.
In 2007, AATA began to convert its entire bus fleet to hybrid electric technology. The AATA fleet currently includes 27 hybrid electric buses. Hybrid electric buses reduce fuel consumption and AATA's dependence on foreign oil by more than 30% while reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The new technology reduces particulate matter, carbon monoxide, and hydrocarbons by 90% and carbon dioxide and nitrogen oxide by up to 50%.
As of August 2007, all AATA vehicles, including the hybrid electric buses, run on B-10 biodiesel. Biodiesel fuel reduces hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide and particulate matter. The overall ozone (smog) forming potential of hydrocarbon exhaust emissions from biodiesel is nearly 50% less than regular diesel fuel.
Source: Ann Arbor Transportation Authority
How do I locate the route nearest to me?
AATA buses can take you practically anywhere you want to go in the Ann Arbor-Ypsilanti area. Use theAATA website for up-to-date routes, timetables and fare information.
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Find out how YOU can help improve the State of Our Environment.
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Last Updated: July 2009