Public Transit 

The City of Ann Arbor works closely with the Ann Arbor Transportation Authority and the University of Michigan Parking and Transportation Services to coordinate a successful public transportation system.  The City is also working with the Michigan Department of Transportation, Southeast Michigan Council of Governments, and the Washtenaw Area Transportation Study to develop regional transit.

TheRide

The Ann Arbor Transportation Authority (TheRide) is a not-for-profit unit of government that provides public transportation services for the greater Ann Arbor-Ypsilanti area. Route information and schedules are available online or at the Blake Transit Center in downtown Ann Arbor, the Ypsilanti Transit Center, or at City Hall. The AATA also provides online tools to help you plan your trip.

Ann Arbor Transportation Authority (TheRide) is leading the creation of a shared vision for countywide public transit in Washtenaw. The Transit Master Plan will outline a 30-year strategy to address various public transportation needs in the county. When completed, the Plan will contain:

• Strategic direction and transportation policies for the region
• Multimodal transportation plan (car, bus and rail transit, bicycling and walking)
• Background on travel behavior and expectations
• A funding and implementation plan as a realistic framework to complete proposed projects
• A vision for the transportation system our community needs

Ann Arbor - Detroit Commuter Rail

The Southeast Michigan Council of Governments is managing a project to provide commuter rail service in the Detroit-Ann Arbor corridor with stops in Ann Arbor, Ypsilanti, Detroit Metropolitan Airport, Dearborn, and Detroit. The freight railroads are analyzing both capacity on the proposed passenger rail line and the capital costs to enable passenger and freight trains to safely co-exist in the corridor. Officials are also working to identify equipment costs, develop ridership estimates, build potential service schedules, and explore funding options. SEMCOG publishes frequent project updates as plans progress.

Model for Mobility

In June 2006, Mayor John Hieftje introduced his "Model for Mobility," a transportation vision for the City of Ann Arbor.  Key elements of this transportation vision include alternative forms of transportation such as walking and bicycling, but also expand on the City's bus, rail and train system to support a more regional mode of mobility and reduce Ann Arbor's over reliance on auto travel.  

The Mayor has outlined three key components of the Model for Mobility vision: 

• An east-west regional transit route that would link the central core of Ann Arbor, including the downtown, University of Michigan Central Campus and the University of Michigan Medical Center, with communities in southeast Michigan.  See Ann Arbor - Detroit Commuter Rail Project. In addition, City Council has approved the master concept plan and pursued planning for the Fuller Road Station multi-modal transit center.
• A possible north-south rail connection that would use existing railways between Ann Arbor, Milan and Howell, including portions of the Ann Arbor Railroad and the TSB Railway's operating territory.  See Washtenaw and Livingston Line Rail Project
• A local connector system that would link the two regional railroads, with a local streetcar system running from west to east through the downtown, across the Central, Medical and North campuses of the University of Michigan.  See Ann Arbor Connector Feasibility StudyThe Model for Mobility media kit (pdf) contains more information.

 

Updated August 1, 2011

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