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A two-day Odyssey on public transportation will start at Detroit Metropolitan Airport Saturday morning and conclude at a Monday meeting in Traverse City, Michigan: The Logistics Hub of the Midwest from 11:30 to 5:00 at the Grand Traverse Resort.
Along the way, members of the Transportation for Michigan (Trans4M) coalition and others will meet with lawmakers, local officials and citizens interested in improving the reliability and convenience of public transportation throughout Michigan.
“We want to draw attention to the strengths, weaknesses and opportunities in Michigan’s statewide passenger train and bus-transit systems,” said Tim Fischer, deputy policy director with the Michigan Environmental Council and a Trans4M member.
“It isn’t that someone can’t use public transportation to get from one end of the state to the other; it’s that it’s extremely difficult. A simple trip of a few hours becomes a two-day odyssey. There are too many unnecessary roadblocks placed in the way of streamlined public transit viability,” said Clark Harder, Executive Director of the statewide Michigan Public Transit Association, which represents bus, light rail and water ferry operators in Michigan.
Below is a tentative itinerary.
Saturday, Oct 1:
- Depart DTW airport at 8:25 am on SMART bus #125 for downtown Detroit
- Arrive at Larned & Woodward at 9:45 am
- Depart Larned & Woodward at 10:00 am or 10:11 am on DDOT bus #53 for the Detroit Amtrak Station
- Arrive at Detroit Amtrak Station by about 10:40 am
- Depart Detroit Amtrak Station at 11:23 am on Wolverine train #353 for Jackson Train Station
- Arrive at Jackson Train Station at 1:10 pm
- Meet with elected officials, others
- Depart Jackson Baymont Inn and Suites on Michigan Flyer motor coach #8017 at 4:30 pm for East Lansing
- Arrive in East Lansing at 5:10 pm at the University Place Marriot
- Meet with elected officials, others
Sunday, Oct. 2:
- Depart East Lansing at 11:00 am or 11:20 am on CATA bus #1 for Lansing Transit Center
- Arrive at Lansing Transit Center by 11:40 am
- Meet with elected officials, others
- Depart Lansing at 12:30 pm on Greyhound for Kalamazoo
- Arrive in Kalamazoo at 2:15 pm
- Meet with officials
- Depart Kalamazoo at 3:00 pm on Indian Trails motor coach #0082 for Grand Rapids
- Arrive in Grand Rapids at 4:00 pm
- Meet with officials
- Depart Grand Rapids at 4:50 pm on Indian Trails motor coach #0080 for Traverse City
- Arrive in Traverse City at 8:25 pm
Monday, Oct. 3:
Michigan: The Logistics Hub of the Midwest 10:30 am - 5:00 pm at the Grand Traverse Resort http://www.tcchamber.org/civicrm/event/info?reset=1&id=10254
More Transit Odyssey details at: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=224812890908475¬if_t=event_photo_change
Several Michigan cities have transit funding measures on the ballot next week:
- Voters in Grand Rapids, East Grand Rapids, Wyoming, Kentwood, Grandville and Walker will be asked to expand bus service for the region and add high speed bus transit. It will fund enhanced service on every route and allow the system to keep up with rising demand - ridership on The Rapid has more than doubled in the last ten years. Learn more at RapidYes.org. Also check out this great video about Grand Rapids transit, past and future!
- Voters in Benzie County will be asked May 3 to renew and restore operating funds for the Benzie Transportation Authority with a 0.5 mill. Learn more at Benzie Bus Yes!
- Voters in Grand Haven will be asked to support a five-year 0.95 mill property tax increase to support expansion of Harbor Transit, as well as funding for the repair and construction of roads, bridges and other infrastructure.
- A 0.4 mill renewal is also on the ballot in Holland Township for the Macatawa Area Express Bus.
Many other cities will also be voting on measures to fund vital local services. So check your ballot and remember to go VOTE May 3!
Michigan Complete Streets Coalition 