Safety concerns prompt bus route detour

According to AATA CEO Michael Ford, the changes will go into effect on Tuesday, December 8 and should reduce the temptation for passengers to cut across Washtenaw through traffic to transfer to other routes.

“For the past five months, Route 22 has been detoured off Washtenaw through Pittsfield Village to allow passengers to transfer to Routes 4 and 7 along Washtenaw,” Ford said.

“On December 8, under a new agreement with the Glencoe Crossing shopping center, the Route 22 North Connector buses will be detoured slightly east to loop through the shopping center. This will allow Route 22 passengers travelling toward downtown Ann Arbor using either Route 4 or Route 7 to transfer at the bus shelter there, without crossing Washtenaw. It will also permit Route 22 passengers travelling toward Ypsilanti to catch Route 4 or Route 7 buses at the stop just east of Carpenter on Washtenaw.”

Southbound Route 22 buses will remain on their current routing. AATA recommends that passengers transferring to Route 4 or Route 7 make their transfers at Washtenaw Avenue and Huron Parkway or transfer to eastbound buses on the south side of Washtenaw east of Pittsfield Boulevard.

Although Route 22 will no longer serve the bus stop on Pittsfield Boulevard, it will continue to serve the bus stop located on the north side of Washtenaw in front of Belle Tire at the currently scheduled departure times. At the stop on the south side of Washtenaw in front of Mattress World and Frame Factory, Route 22 will be scheduled to depart at 10 and 40 minutes past the hour, but will not wait for transfers from other buses.

Ford said, “The safety of our passengers is the driving reason for this change. It will serve as an interim solution until we complete development and installation of a permanent bus transfer location on Washtenaw Avenue.”

Informational flyers will be available to passengers currently riding the route, at bus shelters in the affected area and at AATA facilities. Questions may be directed to 734.996.0400.

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