Mass Transportation Authority (Flint)
 | |
| Headquarters | 1401 S. Dort Hwy. Flint, Michigan |
|---|---|
| Locale | Flint, Michigan |
| Service area | Genessee County, Michigan Saginaw County, Michigan Livingston County, Michigan Oakland County, Michigan Lapeer County, Michigan Ingham County, Michigan |
| Service type | city bus service commuter bus service School bus service special needs van service |
| Routes | 28 |
| Hubs | Downtown Transportation Center 615 Harrison St. Flint, MI |
| Stations | Flint station |
| Daily ridership | 21,300 (4th Quarter 2014)[1] |
| Fuel type | Diesel Hydrogen fuel cell Propane Compressed natural gas (future) |
| Chief executive | Ed Benning |
| Website | mtaflint.org |
The Flint Mass Transportation Authority (abbreviated Flint MTA or MTA) is the operator of public mass transportation based in Flint, Michigan that primarily serves Genesee County. Service began in 1972, with the fleet consisting of 26 buses serving the city of Flint with 12 routes and hourly service. Current MTA fleet vehicles span from 1985 to 2016. The total MTA fleet includes 283 in service vehicles with two hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, 143 propane vehicles, and 16 hybrid diesel or gasoline/electric. Fourteen standard, all-day routes are provided within the city of Flint and its inner suburbs, as well as nine peak hour services (which feature different numbers for each variation of the route). Several regional routes are also operated using coach-style buses, providing all day commuter bus service to Oakland, Livingston, Lapeer, Ingham and Saginaw counties. The MTA also operates Your Ride, a mini-bus service for special needs customers, school buses, and peak route services. It also owns and operates the inter-modal Flint station, which also serves Amtrak, Greyhound Lines, and Indian Trails.
Route list
Fixed routes
Source:[2] |
Regional routes
Source:[3] |
Peak hour services
Source:[4] |
Your Ride Service Districts
Source:[5] |
Special routes
In 2015, the MTA partnered with Genesys Health System's Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) to provide transportation services for eligible citizens.[6]
Your Ride also has special routes called Ride to Groceries, Ride to Wellness, and Ride to Worship.[7][8][9]
On September 16, 2016, the Federal Transit Administration awarded the MTA a $310,040 grant to support the Ride to Wellness Initiative.[10]
On March 16, 2017, the Flint Jewish Federation donated $40,000 to the MTA to support the Ride to Wellness Initiative.[11]
Proposed routes
The MTA is currently attempting to secure government funding to provide intercity service between Bay City and Detroit.[12]
Fleet upgrades
On July 25, 2009, the Flint MTA received a $7.985 million grant from the Federal Transit Administration that was funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 for new Project 25 digital radio dispatch equipment and mobile data terminals, new intelligent transportation system software and equipment, preventive maintenance, and the purchase and installation of new signage and security equipment.[13]
On May 21, 2012 the MTA unveiled its new hydrogen fuel cell bus and opened their alternative fuel facility in Grand Blanc Township. The MTA is the first transportation agency in the Midwest with a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle. The vehicles will be stored at the Grand Blanc Service Center and Alternative Fuel Facility location at Dort Highway and Maple Avenue. MTA's new fuel cell bus is hybrid-electric, zero emission and powered by a 120 kW UTC Power PureMotion fuel cell system.[14]
On October 11, 2012, the MTA announced it will refurbish 36 of its buses, extending their lives by 6–8 years.[15] On the same day, they announced their board of directors approved a $4.2 million deal to purchase 60 propane powered mini-buses that will replace the diesel-engine vans used by Your Ride.[16] On June 3, 2013 it was announced the MTA will purchase an additional 35 propane-powered mini-buses for their Your Ride service, nearly doubling their previous fleet. The report also said the MTA Your Ride service will purchase another 62 mini-buses by fall 2014, for a grand total of 160 vehicles.[17]
On September 8, 2016, the MTA received a $15 million grant ($12.8 million from the Federal Transit Administration and $2.2 million from the Michigan Department of Transportation) that will be used to buy 32 compressed natural gas buses. They will replace some buses that are 20 years old and have over 600,000 miles on them. Some of the money will also be used to train mechanics and drivers in conjunction with a workforce training development program at Baker College of Flint.[18][19]
On January 12, 2017 the MTA announced it is making upgrades to its Davison service center on M-15, which are scheduled to be completed in the summer of 2017.[20]
Funding
On August 7, 2012 Genesee County voters approved the Flint MTA's .04% millage increase to continue funding Your Ride services, and city of Flint voters approved a separate millage for funding of general operations of the entire service.[21]
On August 5, 2014, Genesee County voters approved a .04% millage renewal that will generate $3.4 million over five years for the Your Ride service.[22]
On November 4, 2014, Genesee County voters approved a new, additional millage of 0.425 for 5 years, expiring in 2019.[23]
Since MTA has a perfect record for millage proposals dating back to 1987, they have adopted the motto "Serving Those Who Support Us".[24]
References
- ^ "Fourth Quarter & End-of-Year 2014" (PDF). Public Transportation Ridership Report. American Public Transportation Association. Retrieved 9 March 2015.
- ^ MTA Primary Routes with map
- ^ Flint MTA Regional Service
- ^ Flint MTA Peak Service
- ^ Flint MTA: Your Ride Service Guide
- ^ Genesys PACE Center opens in Flint Grand Blanc View, August 6, 2015
- ^ Ride to Groceries Flint MTA
- ^ MTA starts new medical office route in Flint WJRT-TV, April 11, 2016
- ^ MTA Flint- Rides to Groceries and Sunday Worship with Harmony Lloyd Flint MTA Official YouTube channel
- ^ $310,040 in federal funding to benefit Flint's Ride to Wellness Initiative The Flint Journal via MLive.com, September 17, 2016
- ^ Flint Jewish Federation donates to support new MTA program WJRT-TV (ABC12), March 16, 2017
- ^ MTA ready to roll with I-75 bus rapid transit study for route from Bay City to Detroit The Flint Journal via MLive.com, January 20, 2014
- ^ MASS TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY INC Stimulus Watch
- ^ MTA Promises a Greener Future for Michigan Flint MTA Press Release, May 21, 2012
- ^ Genesee County MTA extends fleet longevity by refurbishing buses The Flint Journal via MLive.com, October 11, 2012
- ^ MTA board approves $4.2 million purchase of 60 propane fuel vehicles The Flint Journal via MLive.com, October 11, 2012
- ^ MTA signs deal on propane fuel for buses, plans to up fleet from 57 to 92 by September The Flint Journal via MLive.com, June 3, 2013
- ^ $15M in fed, state funds allows Flint MTA to buy buses, launch workforce program The Flint Journal via MLive.com, September 8, 2016
- ^ Flint MTA gets $12.8M in federal funding for 32 new buses The Flint Journal via MLive.com, January 11, 2017
- ^ Flint MTA adding new buses in city, upgrades to Davison Center WJRT-TV (ABC 12), January 12, 2017
- ^ Genesee County voters show strong support again as MTA millage renewal passes The Flint Journal via MLive.com, August 8, 2012
- ^ MTA millage passes, still hurdles Grand Blanc View, August 7, 2014
- ^ Voters approve three Genesee County tax increases The Flint Journal via MLive.com, November 5, 2014
- ^ MTA: Innovation in Flint YouTube, September 5, 2013