[fb_social] [field_tweet]
Posted on September 27, 2013
Take an inside look at the Mass Transportation Authority. See the latest in transportation technology and how the MTA is becoming one of Michigan's most sustainable companies.
MTA: Innovation in Flint from MTA Flint on Vimeo.
[fb_social] [field_tweet]
Posted on September 6, 2013
as featured on Yahoo! Finance: http://finance.yahoo.com/news/northwest-michigans-bata-solves-transit-173800950.html
TRAVERSE CITY, Mich., Aug. 28, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Northwest lower Michigan's Bay Area Transportation Authority (BATA)'s new Bike-n-Ride program is one of few such programs in the U.S. and the first in Michigan. The service encourages groups of recreational riders to pedal 17 miles on the paved Leelanau Trail between Traverse City and Suttons Bay and return on one of two retrofitted school buses with capacity for 11 bicycles and child trailers.
New, innovative and successful is how state transit officials, local governments and bikers describe northern Michigan's new recreational transit option. In collaboration with Traverse Area Recreational and Transportation Trails (TART), the Michigan Land Use Institute (MLUI) and the Village of Suttons Bay, BATA saw the need for increased seasonal service and worked together to find "creative ways to add value to the community... and a higher return on taxpayer investment," according to Tom Menzel, Executive Director of BATA.
This innovative transit idea got the attention of MDOT Director Kirk Steudle. "What makes this program successful is the leadership from Tom Menzel and BATA focusing on what customers need." Director Steudle recently took advantage of the service with his family to experience it first hand. "My family used it the first two weeks it was operating and we had a ball. We thought it was great. I think it could be replicated in other parts of Michigan."
Local organizers expected the service to be successful. A 68% increase in ridership on the Leelanau Trail parallel to the bus route, however, has facilitated unexpected local economic impact as well.
"We have really been feeling the boost to business here in Suttons Bay. I've been hearing from a lot of people that this is their best season ever. Half of all our guests have been grabbing bikes and completing the trip," shares Nick Wierzba, owner of Suttons Bay Bikes. "The Bike-n-Ride program makes it more accessible for all ages." The service provides a "safety net" that encourages riders to experience the scenic trail and know they can ride the bus back if desired. 45th Parallel, a cafe in Suttons Bay, has also experienced increased restaurant traffic. Owner Tim Lambdin, exclaims "with doubled or more bike traffic, we've experienced a phenomenal summer."
Doug Dowdy, Manager of Transportation Services for BATA, says that the "important spoke" of the success of the Bike-n-Ride initiative is its ability to move families and riders of varying abilities. MDOT Director Steudle agrees, "You don't need bike shorts and spandex. Anyone can get on their bike and do this."
BATA provides more than half a million annual rides to residents and visitors in Leelanau and Grand Traverse counties in northwest lower Michigan. BATA delivers safe, high-quality, efficient and reliable transportation services in its region that link people, jobs, and communities.
Visit bata.net or call 231.941.2324 for more information.
[fb_social] [field_tweet]
Posted on August 26, 2013
The Federal Transit Administration will hold a series of 3 identical webinars to provide information about FTA’s recently published Final Policy Guidance on the New Starts and Small Starts Evaluation Rating Process under MAP-21, which complements the final rule FTA published in January, 2013. Details below.
Please note that attendance is limited and will be filled on a first come, first served basis. A recording of the webinar will be posted on the FTA website for viewing at a later date.
Webinar #1
When: 08/28/2013 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM ET
Audio Conference Details:
Dial-in number: 877-336-1828
Participant account: 8775797
To join Webinar #1:
https://connectdot.connectsolutions.com/ftacapitalinvestmentsguidance
Webinar #2
When: 09/05/2013 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM ET
Audio Conference Details:
Dial-in number: 877-848-7030
Participant account: 9130093
To join Webinar #2:
https://connectdot.connectsolutions.com/ftacapitalinvestmentsguidance2/
Webinar #3
When: 09/10/2013 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM ET
Audio Conference Details:
Dial-in number: 877-336-1831
Participant account: 7726793
To join Webinar #3:
https://connectdot.connectsolutions.com/ftacapitalinvestmentguidance3/
[fb_social] [field_tweet]
Posted on August 14, 2013
File Attachments:
2013 Annual Agenda.doc
Monday evening pre-conference Hospitality Suite Reception hosted by Midwest Bus Corporation, Honeysuckle Cottage #309, yellow cottage across from Resort Registration.
Annual Clare Loudenslager Golf Outing
Breakfast Buffet: 7:00 a.m.–7:45 a.m., 8:00 a.m.
Shotgun Start, Lunch & Prize Drawings will immediately follow conclusion of play, or approximately 1:30 p.m.
Conference Registration Open 3 p.m.-6 p.m.
President’s Reception, 6:30 p.m. Dinner, 7:30 p.m.
Location: Hotel Front Lawn
Dinner is sponsored by Hoekstra/El Dorado and by Clark Hill.
Tuesday evening Hospitality Suite Reception following dinner hosted by Midwest Bus Corporation, Honeysuckle Cottage #309; yellow cottage across from Resort Registration.
| Abraham & Gaffney, P.C., CPA ACC Climate Control Altro Transflor Arboc S.V. Brasco International, Inc. The Braun Corporation Champion Bus, Inc. Clark Hill Ecolane USA Inc. Excels Mobile Video |
Freedman Seating Company Freedom Motors USA, Inc. Gillig LLC Koroseal Floor Systems Lift-U Miller Johnson Mobil Climate Control-HVAC Mobility Transportation Services Mobility Works Commercial Mp2planning |
PCtrans Progressive AE Q'Straint/Sure-Lok The R.C.A. Rubber Company RNL Design Secura Seon Systems Sales, Inc. Specialty Manufacturing Inc. Stertil-Koni Thermo King Michigan Transign Trapeze Group Zonar Systems |
Full Breakfast, 7:30 a.m.-9:00 a.m. Hudson Bay A&B, Second Floor, Crystal Center
Conference Registration Open 8 a.m.– 4 p.m. Atrium, Main Floor, Crystal Center
Welcome, 9:00 a.m. Northwest Territories A,B&C, Main Floor, Crystal Center
Keynote Speaker: Michael Melaniphy, APTA President, 9:10 a.m.-9:40 a.m.
Morning Coffee Service provided by Routematch Software.
Special Guest Speaker: Michigan Lt. Governor Brian Calley, 9:40-10:00 a.m.
Opening Session: Don’t Sell Yourself Short, 10:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m. Guest Speaker: Morgan Lyons, Dallas Area Rapid Transit
Plenary Session: Advocacy and Action: Changing the Public Transportation Dialogue Speakers: Kathryn Gray, Trans4M and Clark Harder, Michigan Public Transportation Action PAC, 11:00-11:30 a.m.
Break 11:30 a.m.-Noon
Luncheon: Noon-1:15 p.m. with MPTA Legislator of Year Recognitions
Northwest Territories A,B&C, Main Floor, Crystal Center
Luncheon sponsored by Gillig Corporation.
Vendor Exhibition: 1:15 p.m.-3:15 p.m. Vendor Prize Drawings: 3:15 p.m.
James Bay, Lower Level, Crystal Center
Transit Ticket Game sponsored by Mobility Transportation Services.
Afternoon Refreshments provided by Q’Straint/Sure-Lok.
MPTA August Board of Directors Meeting: 4:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m.
Hudson Bay A, Second Floor, Crystal Center
All conference registrants are welcome to attend.
Dinner Reception, 5:00 p.m., Dinner, 6:00 p.m.
Location: Crystal Center Lawn (at base of Crystal Coaster) Wednesday evening Reception sponsored by PCTrans.
Crystal Coaster: 7:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m. Open free of charge to conference registrants.
Full Breakfast, 7:30 a.m.-9:00 a.m.
Non-MPTA Members: Please use seating in Hudson Bay A, Second Floor, Crystal Center
MPTA Annual Meeting/Election: 7:30 a.m.—9:00 a.m.
MPTA Members: Please bring breakfast in and meet in Hudson Bay B, Second Floor, Crystal Center
Conference Registration Open 9 a.m.–4 p.m. Atrium, Main Floor, Crystal Center
Morning Coffee Service provided by Avail Technologies.
FTA Presentation, 9:00 a.m.-9:45 a.m.
Northwest Territories A,B&C
Break (Resort Checkout): 9:45 a.m.-10:15 a.m.
Breakout Sessions: 10:15 a.m.-11:00 a.m. (Pick One)
Purchasing /Procurement Paperwork Perils, Northwest Territories A
Route to Excellence: Customer Service Training, Northwest Territories B
Non-Emergency Medical Transportation, Northwest Territories C
Building Your Media Campaign, James Bay (lower level of Crystal Center)
Break: 11:00 a.m.-11:15 a.m.
Breakout Sessions Repeat: 11:15 a.m.-Noon (Same Locations - Pick One)
Luncheon: Noon-1:15 p.m. with MDOT Recognitions
Hudson Bay A&B, Upper Level, Crystal Center
Break: 1:15 p.m.-1:30 p.m.
Afternoon Refreshments provided by Miller Johnson.
Afternoon Plenary Session: MDOT Presentation, 1:30 p.m.-3:30 p.m.
Northwest Territories A,B&C
Conference Wrap-up/Evaluations, 3:30 p.m.-4:00 p.m.
Northwest Territories A,B&C
Agenda and times are subject to change.
