Title
Resolution to Protest Enactment of the Regional Transit Authority Act (Enrolled Bill SB 909) and to Request Washtenaw County’s Removal from the RTA
Staff
Sponsored by: Mayor Hieftje, Councilmembers Higgins, Kunselman and Briere
Body
Whereas, The Michigan State Legislature passed with immediate effect SB 909 to create a four (4) county Regional Transit Authority (RTA) with specific rights and responsibilities including mandatory compliance requirements for local transit operators in the RTA region which includes the Ann Arbor Transportation Authority (AATA);
Whereas, The City of Ann Arbor’s transportation authority, AATA, is a well managed and fiscally sound transportation authority with an excellent track record of securing Federal Transit Administration (FTA) assistance, exemplary performance and strong working relationship with federal officials;
Whereas, The AATA will be subject to the RTA Board, a new governmental entity with no track record, no relationship with FTA officials, a geographic area with a larger population and less evolved transit infrastructure resulting in diminution of the consideration of AATA’s priorities for meeting our transit needs,
Whereas, Ann Arbor and Washtenaw County officials are in a planning process to determine Washtenaw County’s regional transit system needs; which process is focused on the urbanized area of the County, following consideration and rejection of a the creation of a countywide authority by the overwhelming majority of jurisdictions in Washtenaw County;
Whereas, Washtenaw County funding will support transportation service outside of our county disproportionate to what it receives;
Whereas, SB 909 limits the transit options available to SE Michigan and does not acknowledge the readiness to further commuter rail service from Ann Arbor to Ypsilanti, Metro airport, Dearborn and Detroit based on a decade of effort invested in planning and preparations for this regional transportation system;
Whereas,...
Click here for full text