Press Release
For Immediate Release
April 16, 2026
Contact
Jeffrey Pfeifer
Manager of Public Affairs and Community Engagement
(734) 973-6500
JApfeifer@TheRide.org
ANN ARBOR, MI – Beginning Sunday, May 3, 2026, the Ann Arbor Area Transportation Authority (TheRide)’s Blake Transit Center will be temporarily closed due to a planned construction project on Fourth Avenue. The Fourth Avenue Street and Transit Improvements Project, which is sponsored by the Ann Arbor Downtown Development Authority (DDA), in partnership with TheRide and the City of Ann Arbor, will improve pedestrian and transit amenities on Fourth Avenue between William and Liberty Streets. The project also includes significant underground utility work.
During the closure, all bus stops currently located at the Blake Transit Center and on Fourth Avenue will be moved to temporary boarding locations on Fifth Avenue and Washington Street. The closure is expected to last through the end of 2026.
To accommodate the temporary new location, sales will end at the Blake Transit Center on Saturday, April 25. Customers can purchase fares at the AAATA Main Office, Ypsilanti Transit Center, or online through EZFare mobile ticketing. Starting May 3, a temporary sales location will be available at 314 E. Washington Street for customers to purchase passes, A-Ride script coupon books, and tokens. Please note: this location and these dates are subject to change.
“While this important construction project is underway, we know the temporary closure of the Blake Transit Center will require adjustments for many of our riders,” said Forest Yang, Deputy CEO of Planning and Innovation at TheRide. “Our team has worked to relocate boarding locations as close to the Blake Transit Center as possible, and we encourage riders to plan ahead and check TheRide.org for the most up-to-date stop information. TheRide is committed to keeping service safe, reliable, and accessible throughout construction.”
TheRide staff and Transit Ambassadors will be outside the Blake Transit Center and at Fifth Avenue and Washington Street starting May 3 to assist riders with any questions they may have on the temporary boarding locations for the first few weeks of the closure.
Schedules and route information are subject to change. Riders are encouraged to stay up to date by visiting TheRide.org/BTC or calling 734-996-0400 to speak with an Information Specialist. Riders can also sign up for MyAlerts, follow @CatchTheRide on social media, and subscribe to TheRide’s newsletter for ongoing updates.