Enhancing Transit in Grand Traverse County
I am incredibly humbled to have been unanimously appointed by the Grand Traverse County Board of Commissioners to serve on the Board of Directors for the Bay Area Transportation Authority (BATA). As a resident of downtown Traverse City, I’ve experienced firsthand how essential public transit is for the health and vibrancy of our community.
My years of experience in public transit with IndyGo (Indianapolis Public Transit Authority), in sustainable transportation with BlueIndy, and in corporate leadership have given me a deep understanding of the opportunities and challenges we face as a semi-rural community.
By leveraging my expertise in finance, community engagement, and operational excellence, I’m eager to help guide BATA’s future. Check out my summary below on BATA and my thoughts on moving forward into the future.
Since 2021, the Bay Area Transportation Authority (BATA) has implemented several significant expansions and improvements to enhance public transit services in Grand Traverse County. These initiatives aim to increase accessibility, convenience, and efficiency for residents and visitors alike.
1. New Headquarters and Operations Center
In October 2024, BATA unveiled its new headquarters and operations center, marking a significant milestone in its commitment to better serve the community. The 87,000-square-foot facility includes a new LaFranier Park-n-Ride transfer area, offering 40 free daily parking spots and direct connections between Traverse City and surrounding areas.
2. Service Enhancements and Route Expansions
Starting September 3, 2024, BATA implemented several service improvements:
LaFranier Park-n-Ride Transfer Area: Opened to provide 40 free daily parking spots with direct connections between Traverse City via City Loop Routes 2 and 7, and Village Loop Route 13 to Kingsley.
Expanded Hours and Frequency: Increased service hours for buses to and from Kingsley, offering hourly service, and added service frequency to Acme with a new stop at the Cherryland Center.
Bayline Service Enhancements: Increased frequency to Acme and Williamsburg, with alternating stops at the NMC Aero Park Campus.
3. Adoption of Advanced Technology
BATA has embraced technology to enhance the rider experience by rolling out real-time bus tracking and a new smartphone app. These solutions allow passengers to monitor bus locations in real-time, plan trips more effectively, and access up-to-date information.
4. Community Engagement and Feedback Integration - my favorite part!
If you know me, you know that I prioritize community engagement and collaboration - BATA has actively sought community input to shape its services, conducting public and stakeholder outreach to gather feedback on transit needs and preferences. This engagement ensures that service expansions and improvements align with the community's expectations and requirements, fostering a more responsive and user-centered transit system.
Below, I’ll outline some key areas I’m excited to contribute to and why they’re so critical to the people and businesses of Grand Traverse County.
Connecting Residents to Essential Healthcare Services
When you think about accessing healthcare, transportation might not be the first thing that comes to mind - but for many residents in Grand Traverse County, it’s the biggest barrier. Facilities like Munson Medical Center serve as a critical healthcare hub, and BATA’s demand-response rides ensure that those who don’t have personal vehicles can still get the care they need.
In 2023 alone, BATA facilitated over 40,000 demand-response rides, many of which were directly to healthcare facilities.
This service is a lifeline for seniors, veterans, and individuals with disabilities who might otherwise delay or miss appointments entirely. National data from the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) underscores how crucial transit is for rural areas, showing that transit systems reduce healthcare gaps and dependency on emergency care. Locally, this means fewer missed appointments and healthier residents overall.
As someone who has worked in public transit and understands the power of partnerships, I’m eager to explore ways BATA can deepen its collaboration with Munson and other providers to make healthcare access even more seamless.
Addressing Food Insecurity and Supporting Independent Living
Food insecurity might seem like an urban issue, but it’s a major challenge in semi-rural areas too. Many of our residents live in food deserts, where the closest grocery store or fresh produce is miles away and unreachable without a car.
BATA’s Village Loop routes play a vital role here, connecting neighborhoods to grocery stores, farmers’ markets, and food pantries. For seniors and families on tight budgets, this service is often the only way to access affordable and nutritious food.
Research from Smart Growth America highlights how transit reduces food insecurity by enabling people to reach grocery stores reliably*. This is especially critical for seniors, who make up a significant portion of our community and often rely on public transit to age in place with dignity. BATA is doing incredible work here, and I believe there’s room to expand these services and better communicate their availability to residents who need them most.
Enabling Economic Mobility and Reducing Commuting Costs
For workers commuting into downtown Traverse City, transportation is a critical issue - especially with parking costs ranging from $15 to $20 per day. BATA’s fixed-route services provide an affordable alternative, helping employees save money while reducing traffic congestion downtown.
Nationally, households in rural areas spend up to 20% of their income on transportation costs*.
Locally, BATA’s services offer a clear path to reducing that burden. Reliable transit also ensures that employers in industries like hospitality, healthcare, and retail can attract and retain the workforce they need.
As someone who lives downtown and interacts with business owners regularly, I see how BATA supports not just individuals but the entire local economy.
Leveraging Technology for Enhanced Efficiency and Convenience
In today’s world, people expect convenience - and public transit is no exception. BATA’s recent launch of real-time bus tracking and its mobile app is a game changer for riders. These solutions let people see exactly when their bus will arrive and allow for easy on-demand ride scheduling, making transit more accessible and user-friendly than ever.
This shift is critical as we aim to grow ridership and meet the needs of a semi-rural population that might otherwise see transit as inconvenient.
Studies show that transit systems embracing technology see increased ridership and higher customer satisfaction*. I’m excited to work with the BATA team to explore even more ways technology can streamline operations and enhance the rider experience.
Continued Exploration of Microtransit Solutions for Greater Flexibility
Grand Traverse County is a unique blend of urban and rural landscapes, and one-size-fits-all transit doesn’t work here. That’s why microtransit: on-demand services that operate more like rideshares are a fantastic complement to BATA’s fixed routes.
Studies from TIP Strategies highlight how microtransit can fill the gaps in rural areas by offering flexible, personalized transportation options*. Microtransit systems are particularly effective in connecting low-density areas to key destinations like downtown Traverse City or healthcare facilities.
As BATA considers its long-term strategy, I see microtransit as one of the potential game changers for improving access and boosting efficiency.
Strengthening Equity and Inclusion in Transit Access
Public transit is about more than just getting from point A to point B - it’s about creating opportunities for everyone, regardless of income or ability. Inequality.org’s research on rural transit highlights that a lack of transportation options disproportionately impacts low-income families, people with disabilities, and communities of color*.
In Grand Traverse County, this means we need to ensure that BATA’s services are equitable, affordable, and accessible to all. Whether it’s keeping fares low or adding more ADA-compliant vehicles, there’s a lot we can do to make transit a tool for inclusion.
As someone with a background in community engagement, this is an area I’m particularly passionate about.
BATA is already doing incredible work, and there’s so much potential to build on.
From expanding services to leveraging new technologies, we have an opportunity to make transit an even bigger part of what makes Grand Traverse County such a wonderful place to live. As a board member, I’m committed to working with the community, BATA’s staff, and local leaders to ensure our transit system serves everyone - and serves them well.
If you believe in the power of public transit, consider supporting BATA. Whether it’s riding the bus, advocating for funding, or simply spreading the word about their services, every little bit helps. Together, we can keep Grand Traverse County moving forward!
Sources:
* (APTA-Rural-Transit-2017)
https://inequality.org/research/small-and-rural-communities-transit/
https://tipstrategies.com/insights/2024/03/microtransit-for-rural-america/
https://smartgrowthamerica.org/rural-roadmap/#:~:text=Transit%20is%20essential%20for%20many,groceries%2C%20and%20other%20crucial%20services.
https://www.traverseticker.com/news/bata-rolls-out-real-time-bus-tracking-new-routes-expanded-service/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
