Title
Resolution in Support of the Regional Transit Authority (RTA) Ballot Proposal
Memo
The Regional Transit Authority of Southeast Michigan (RTA) was created by the Michigan Legislature in 2012. Its role is to create, implement and maintain a regional transit plan for the four counties of Washtenaw, Wayne, Oakland and Macomb. The City of Ann Arbor has a long track record of supporting local and Washtenaw County public transportation through the Ann Arbor Area Transportation Authority (AAATA). Ann Arbor is well positioned to meet local public transportation needs as a result of the services provided by the AAATA.
Although local trips in the city are well served, there is a challenge confronting the City of Ann Arbor and its residents, visitors and employers. Increasing employment opportunities within the city and the four-county metropolitan region creates a travel need that is currently unmet. It is difficult, almost impossible, for an Ann Arbor resident to travel to a job in the RTA's region beyond the AAATA service area in a manner other than by personal automobile. Similarly, companies and employers in the city are seeking a qualified workforce from beyond our immediate resident population. Those regional travelers are relying on automobiles for their travel into Ann Arbor resulting in overcrowded roads, demand for significant parking facilities, and generation of enormous quantities of air emissions and greenhouse gases while consuming large amounts of energy.
The RTA has proposed a regional transit master plan and series of services as required to implement the plan. The services most immediate to the City of Ann Arbor include: The Ann Arbor-to-Detroit commuter rail service; innovative Bus Rapid transit linking downtown Ann Arbor with Ypsilanti; feeder services to the regional rail corridor; as well as, regional commuter express service connecting Ann Arbor with Plymouth and Livonia, among other similar services.
Beyond the immediate services ...
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