The Ride - Ann Arbor Transportation Authority

Summary of Comments Received

The public comment period on the proposed fare changes ended on February 27, 2009. Based on an analysis of the information gathered through the public process, AATA staff will provide a recommendation to the Board of Director�s Planning and Development Committee and Performance Monitoring and External Relations Committee. The Board of Directors will take action on a final recommendation at their March 18th meeting.

During the public comment period AATA received a total of 69 comments:

34 were received by email (49.3%)
19 were received at public meetings (27.5%)
14 were received by telephone (20.3%)
2 were received as hand-written comments (2.9%)

A total of 25 individuals attended the four public meetings.

20.4% of the comments appear to support or were clearly supportive of the fare increases.

18.8% of the comments expressed concern about the challenges low-income riders (other than themselves) would have in paying an increased fare.

Note: AATA is the only transit agency in Michigan to provide reduced fares for low income individuals. AATA also donates up to $10,000 in fare media to agencies that serve low income individuals.

13% of the comments expressed concern that Senior and A-Ride bus fares would be raised to full fare, rather than the proposed free fare. (Misperceptions stemmed from wording in a newspaper article).

Note: The correct fare information was provided to individuals with this concern.

13% of the comments suggested that seniors should pay a fare for bus service rather than riding for free. (Many of these people identified themselves as seniors).

7.3% of the comments appear to question or openly oppose the fare increases.

5.8% of the comments wanted to know if Mcard riders would be affected by the fare change. (Fares paid by a third party were not included in the fare change communications).

Note: Fares paid by a third party are calculated to include periodic increases over the terms of the agreements. The fare per passenger boarding paid by third parties are higher than the fare per boarding for people who purchase their own thirty-day pass.

21.7% Other comments received included misperceptions as to how AATA is funded; suggested AATA should seek alternate funding sources; requested fare media that is more convenient for infrequent or low income riders; opposed the change to the transfer time; misconceptions about how fares are structured.