AATA proposes changes to fare structure

ANN ARBOR, MI – The Ann Arbor Transportation Authority (AATA) is seeking public input on proposed changes to its fare structure for fixed-route and paratransit services at a series of public meetings to be held in February.

According to AATA Board Chair David Nacht, the adult full fare for AATA fixed-route service has not changed since August, 2002. Since that time, AATA has experienced significant increases in the cost of operations, as well as the tightening of available funding.

“AATA has cut costs for aspects of our operations under our control, as well as generating revenue through the sale of advertising space on our buses,” Nacht said.

AATA reduced its 2009 fixed-route operating costs by $5 per service hour through a variety of cost-saving measures. A review of comparable transit systems revealed that AATA had the lowest fares among its peers.

In addition, AATA has implemented continuous improvement teams to further control and reduce energy use, facility and vehicle maintenance, employee benefits and expenses related to its paratransit services. Approximately $300,000 in savings has been identified by the teams through projects which are expected to be implemented in the current fiscal year.

“The board is reluctant to raise fares, and actually rejected a fare increase proposal in 2006. Now we find that we must balance the impact on our riders with our need to run the authority in a financially prudent manner.

AATA has reached the point where we must consider revisions to our fare structure in order to assure that we are successful in meeting the growing demand for our services during this time of economic challenge, and also to ensure the future financial health of the authority,” Nacht said.

AATA’s proposal includes a two-phase increase to change the current fixed-route adult full fare of $1.00 to $1.25 in May, 2009 and to $1.50 in May, 2010. Current half-fare charges would go from 50 cents to 60 and 75 cents, respectively.

The proposal would eliminate the 25-cent fare on fixed-route service for Seniors and A-Ride customers; however, the fares on paratransit service would increase from $2.00 for an advance reservation trip to $2.50 in 2009 and $3.00 in 2010. Same-day trip fares would increase from $3.00 to $3.50 and $4.00, respectively.

Night Ride and Holiday Ride fares would remain at $5.00, with the fare for Senior and A-Ride cardholders remaining at $2.50.

In addition to 30-day passes, shorter-term passes are being considered at both regular and reduced-fare levels. These may include passes for a smaller number of days, or a specific number of trips.

Click here to view the full draft proposal or call 734.973.6500 to request the proposal. The proposal will also be available beginning January 24, 2009 in the February, 2009 issue of “RideLines” on all AATA buses and at the AATA main office and transit centers.

The proposed fare structure is expected to generate an estimated $314,000 in additional revenue in the first year and $540,000 in the second year. It will also create opportunities for frequent riders who qualify to take advantage of discounted passes.

Comments and questions about the proposed fare changes are being received by AATA through February 27, 2009 by the following methods:

• Call the AATA Service Change Hotline at 734.677.3934.
• E-mail AATA at aatainfo@theride.org; put “Fare Changes” in the subject line.
• Fax AATA at 734.973.6338; address the fax to “Fare Changes”.
• Write to “Fare Changes”, AATA, 2700 S. Industrial Hwy., Ann Arbor, MI 48104.
• Attend one of the following public meetings:

Ann Arbor District Library, Multipurpose Room, 343 S. Fifth, Ann Arbor
Tuesday, February 10, 2009; 1-3 p.m.
Tuesday February 17, 2009; 6-8 p.m.

City of Ypsilanti Council Chambers, One S. Huron St., Ypsilanti
Thursday, February 19, 2009; 4-7 p.m.
Thursday, February 26, 2009; 1-3 p.m.

Upon request, additional meetings at the requesters’ locations will be added.

At each public meeting, people will have an opportunity to discuss the change individually with AATA staff members. Each meeting will also include a presentation on the proposed fare changes and the opportunity to ask questions or make comments in a group setting

The facilities are accessible. Reasonable accommodation to permit persons with disabilities to participate will be made if requested at least two days in advance at 734.973.6500. Two weeks notice is required for interpreter service for persons with hearing impairments.

A copy of all written comments and a summary of verbal comments will be provided to the AATA Board of Directors before a decision is made on adopting any of the proposed changes.

The Ann Arbor Transportation Authority was chartered in 1969 by the City of Ann Arbor, Michigan, as a special-purpose unit of government. AATA is supported through local, state and federal funds, and farebox revenues. AATA operates 27 public transit routes, paratransit services, and carpool-vanpool matching and other transportation services to facilitate mobility throughout the urbanized areas of Washtenaw County.

The latest information on AATA routes, schedules and detours is available at 734.996.0400 and on the AATA Routes and Schedules page.