ANN ARBOR, Mich. – The Ann Arbor Transportation Authority (TheRide) Board of Directors voted to accept the “Smart Growth” Transit Master Plan at tonight’s board meeting for continued public input. A series of five public meetings will be held in mid-May to present the plan and to continue the dialogue with the citizens of Washtenaw County.

“A great deal of research, analysis and public input has led to the development of the Smart Growth vision. This approach will improve options for travelling throughout the county, making it easier for everyone, including young professionals, commuters, seniors and people with disabilities, to get where they need to go. The plan will also support economic growth, increase property values, create new jobs, and help protect our environment for the next 30 years,” said TheRide Board Chair Jesse Bernstein. “We understand some people still have questions about the plan, so we have scheduled further public discussion opportunities to make sure as many people as possible have a chance to learn about the plan and offer their ideas and input for Washtenaw County’s transit future.”

The public meetings will be held from 6-8 p.m. on:

• Monday, May 9 – Chelsea Library, McKune Room, 221 S. Main St., Chelsea
• Tuesday, May 10 – SPARK East, 215 W. Michigan Ave., Ypsilanti
• Wednesday, May 11 – Ann Arbor District Library, Multipurpose Room, 343 S. Fifth Ave., Ann Arbor
• Monday, May 16 – Dexter Library, Lower level (large side), 3255 Alpine, Dexter
• Tuesday, May 17 – Saline City Hall, 100 N. Harris St., Saline

TheRide began developing the Transit Master Plan last summer. The process involved extensive public outreach, including more than 60 community meetings, workshops with 45 county leaders, more than 200 in-person interviews, and online and paper questionnaires completed by more than 2,500 residents.

TheRide used the community meetings and demographic research to determine residents’ transportation needs and to identify Transit Master Plan goals. Among the challenges outlined were the growing population of aging Baby Boomers, increasing traffic congestion and the growing need among residents without cars for getting to critical destinations.

In February, TheRide presented three possible Transit Master Plan scenarios to the public and has further refined the public’s preferred scenario, Smart Growth, for additional input.

“The Smart Growth scenario was the option that 73 percent of participants preferred. We have been taking a long, hard look at this scenario, including possible ways to phase it in over 30 years and also researching possible funding sources,” TheRide CEO Michael Ford said.

“It’s important to remember that the Transit Master Plan will never be set in stone – it’s more of a vision of where we want to be in 30 years. Vital components of this effort will be our ongoing public outreach to understand people’s needs, as well as conducting periodic survey research to ensure we gauge the level of public support for transit enhancements. We will continue to make sure that the short- and long-term visions are met and that the plan continues to make sense,” said Ford.

“Now that TheRide board has voted to accept the plan, these public meetings in May are the next step in what we hope will be an ongoing dialogue to make the transit plan a reality,” said Ford.

Full reports on the Transit Master Plan are available at www.MovingYouForward.org, or by request at 734.794.1880.

The Ann Arbor Transportation Authority (TheRide) was chartered in 1969 by the City of Ann Arbor, Michigan, as a not-for-profit unit of government. AATA operates the local public transit system for the greater Ann Arbor-Ypsilanti area, enabling the area’s residents to reach their destinations at reasonable cost, and offers the region efficient, environmentally sound transportation alternatives. For more information, please visit www.TheRide.org.

Visit TheRide at www.facebook.com/CatchTheRide  or www.twitter.com/CatchTheRide.