Arbor Update

Finally.

Finally. I just think it’s lame it doesn’t go into town.

Yeah Brandon, my thoughts exactly. BUT, it is better than nothing and at least there is an AATA bus that will connect there from downtown.

On another note, while Metro is definitely the big draw, the connection to Jackson and East Lansing shows at least a glimmer of regional transport.

The way this plan is currently set up allows Indian Trails to maintain reasonable trip times without altering the existing service in a major way. Going into downtown would add significant time to the trip, meaning less trips per day or a much higher cost per trip. Traveling to the Briarwood area seems like a small price to pay for more service. If the service turns out to be amazingly successful, i’m sure they’ll start making runs to downtown or campus.

Correct me if I’m wrong, but I suspect Brandon’s saying it’s lame it doesn’t go into town in Detroit, not in A2.

Excellent news — a good option.

This is a good thing and I am sure I will use it. However the rates seem a bit funny. From AA it is $10 one way with no break for families or couples. But from Lansing the second of a couple rides for 60% of the base fare, and from Jackson the second of a couple rides for 50% of the base fare. Also from either Lansing or Jackson you get to bring the whole family for just $10 more, but no such luck from AA. It seems that they only deal in sawbucks except for a daringly priced $25 ride from Lansing.

“Yeah Brandon, my thoughts exactly. BUT, it is better than nothing and at least there is an AATA bus that will connect there from downtown.”

The only problem with this is that my flights tend to get in long after AATA service has ended for the evening, but I’ll feel less guilty about finding someone to get me from, uh, the mall as opposed to Romulus. Better than the old way, for sure.

Also, the Press Release didn’t mention this, but the buses will have WiFi, which is awesome because you have to pay to use WiFi at Metro.

And another benefit not listed in the release is that the buses are a great environmentally sound alternative to driving to Detroit. I talked to the Michigan Flyer people and they were totally excited about this. From the Michigan Flyer website (www.michiganflyer.com)

“A single bus takes about 16 cars off the road, and achieves 162 passenger miles per gallon of fuel.

“A single car emits about 115 times more carbon monoxide than a new motorcoach per passenger mile. A car also emits about 180 times more hydrocarbons (which create smog and air toxins), four times the carbon dioxide (the leading greenhouse gas) and twice the nitrogen oxides (which create smog and acid rain).”

Cool, huh?

The authority which operates the airport is now threatening to pull the entire Michigan Flyer contract from Indian Trails if they stop in Ann Arbor. The claim is that Ann Arbor is in the ‘local service area’ of the airport and that Indian Trails shouldn’t receive a contract to provide that type of service. We’re almost back in the same situation where we were several years ago when AATA investigated airport service.

‘Local service area’? Whom are they kidding?

@kena: the “airport authority” has a virtual legal monopoly on all ground transportation service originating at Metro Airport (read: cabs and limos) and would like a monopoly on all transportation coming in as well. Last year they raised the fee for reserved commercial transportation back to Ann Arbor from $3 per ride to $10 per ride — more than triple the fee of any other airport in the country.

AATA to modify Route 36 to connect with Michigan Flyer Metro Airport service

The Ann Arbor to Metro schedule is now available. The prepaid rate is $10 each way until December 31 and then $25 round trip after that.

OK, and seeing how I just saw some email from someone who claimed to have sent it using the bus’s internet service while riding to Ann Arbor, I suppose it must be real.

Is there a bus between Ann Arbor and Lansing? Is this true? how much and can you please send me more information about the schedule and cost. Thank you. Rosa.

Michigan Flyer has announced that it will add an Ann Arbor stop to its Direct to Detroit Metro bus service beginning October 1, 2007. The bus will board passengers at the Four Points Sheraton, located at 3200 Boardwalk, with 11 daily round trips to and from Metro Airport and seven round trips to Jackson and East Lansing.

Rosa, click here for the schedule. Rates are here.

Intrepid bus-riders will note that the suburban Detroit SMART bus system now has their routes and schedules on Google Transit. This means that you can, if you are very brave, take public transportation from Ann Arbor to all over metro Detroit – take the Michigan Flyer to DTW, then catch one of the two SMART buses that serve the airport and continue on your way.

To Whom It May Concern,

Do you know how I could get from Detroit Metro Airport to the VA Hospital in Ann Arbor on a regular basis.

Thanks for any help that you may give.

Robert Raak
734 934 1919

Robert,

Here’s a web site that lists a large number of ways to get to Ann Arbor from Metro Airport:

www.annarbor.org/visitors_guide/transport.asp#airt

The Michigan Flyer looks like the least expensive option. It will drop you off at the Sheraton Hotel in Ann Arbor. You can catch the #36 AATA Bus there. Get a transfer from the bus driver and get off at State and Packard and catch the #5 inbound bus and take it to the bus terminal downtown. You can catch the #3 bus there that will take you to the VA hospital.

Here’s the AATA web site if you want to check specific times:

www.theride.org/routes.asp

Hope the info is helpful.

I’ve heard tell that there are buses from various Detroit suburbs that go to the Wayne State campus, marketed at commuters (and their wallets) as a cheaper alternative than driving alone. No details yet.

hello, I have some quick questions, first would i be able to take a bus, or busses from Spring Arbor to Ypsilanti?. If so how and how much would it cost, how long do you think it could take? thank you for your time.
Kelly

bus from spring arbor to ypsilanti, that could be hard.

I’d break this down into – Spring Arbor to Jackson – Jackson to Ann Arbor – Ann Arbor to Ypsilanti

Spring Arbor to Jackson you might be able to figure out on your own; it looks like there’s some kind of county wide transit system at http://jacksontransit.com .

Two choices for Jackson to Ann Arbor: either take the 3x/day Amtrak train, or take the 7x/day Michigan Flyer.

Ann Arbor to Ypsilanti has 4x/hour bus service from downtown; it’s a pretty easy connection from the Amtrak station, or if you’re at the Michigan Flyer stop, you pick up the #6 bus 2x/hour.

Sounds easy, right?

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