The Regional Rider: Commuter Rhymes Edition

It’s time for bikes and buses ’cause the weather’s gettin’ warmer.
The 19th Annual Smart Commute Week is just around the corner! 

Have you signed up for the Commuter Challenge? If not, take a minute and sign up today. Registration deadline is at the end of May.

There are lots of events that week that you don’t want to miss: commuter breakfasts; Monday’s documentary called Aftermass; Try Transit Day; and, of course, the Getting Transportation To Work Commuter Summit on Tuesday, June 4.

Northwest Michigan transit in action

Who’s up for some really ‘wonky’ transit policy stuff? Smart Growth America and Current Transportation drafted the first white paper on mobility management for the Grand Traverse area. It’s filled with ideas that could help our transit agencies coordinate their services across the six-county region. The paper describes ways to share fares, share dispatch services, and collaborate to raise money. It pulls from other models around the country. Talk about great weekend reading!

Upcoming events

â–º  May 23 at 4 p.m. – Grand Vision Transit Subcommittee at the BATA Hall St. Transfer Center (115 Hall St., Traverse City, MI)

â–º  May 29 at 9 a.m. – Bay Area Transportation Authority Board Meeting at the BATA Hall Street Transfer Station (115 Hall St., Traverse City, MI)

â–º  June 3-7 – The 19th Annual TART Trails Smart Commute Week

â–º  June 4 from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. – Getting Transportation to Work Commuter Summit at the Traverse City Opera House (106 E. Front St., Traverse City, MI)

â–º  June 12 at 12 p.m. – Benzie Bus Board Meeting at the Benzie Bus Headquarters (14150 U.S. 31, Beulah, MI)

Parting thoughts…

Although, we drive a lot, we’re driving less and less.
Who’s leading that trend? My generation, I confess.

Local workers, too, would drive less if they could.
I’m glad to hear a transit buff might replace Ray Lahood.

Our chamber’s, Luciani, calls for ‘transportation options’.
Buses, trails, and sidewalks make quite a strong concoction.

Let’s talk about mobility with one of transit’s leading voices.
It’s that time we meet to celebrate our transportation choices!

See you on the bus!

~James

Regional Rider


The Regional Rider is a monthly update that highlights the efforts to coordinate transit service in the six-county Grand Vision region. It’s published by the Michigan Land Use Institute’s transportation policy specialist, James Bruckbauer. For feedback, or to receive an emailed version every month, contact James at james@mlui.org or follow him on Twitter at @jimbruckb.
 

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