AATA Board Approves Continuation of A2 Express Pilot Program

“We believe the A2Express services could be a valuable transit solution for Ann Arbor commuters if given the chance to fully develop,” said TheRide CEO Michael Ford. “For a demonstration project that has never been tried in the area before, ridership numbers and rider enthusiasm for the express services have been very promising.”

To control costs, the resolution authorizes AATA staff to continue the service using in-house resources instead of a contractor, and also authorizes a fare reduction to encourage ridership growth on the Chelsea Express.

The A2Express service began in May 2008 as a federally-funded demonstration project. The first route, the Chelsea A2Express, provides service from Chelsea to Ann Arbor. The Canton A2Express was added as a second route in August 2009 and was the first of TheRide’s operations to serve riders outside of Washtenaw County. Both services are currently operated by an outside contractor, Indian Trails, Inc..

Each express service route consists of two peak-period trips each morning and evening with limited stops between destinations. Passengers pay for the service either by using a 30-Day pass or by paying cash. Customers can purchase a 30-day pass for $125. The new 30-day pass for Chelsea of $99 will be implemented June 1. Ten-ride passes are available for $40, or passengers can pay for a one-way cash fare of $5. University of Michigan Employees and downtown employees who participate in the go!Pass program can purchase discounted 30-day passes.

A program analysis conducted by TheRide concluded the Chelsea service should remain for an additional year due to strong ridership potential, high customer satisfaction (Chelsea customers have even created their own Facebook group -- www.facebook.com/transiteers), and the identification of additional cost-saving measures that it hopes will make the service sustainable, without local funding.

“While we have been pleased with Indian Trails service, my staff has concluded that we can achieve significant savings per year by operating the Chelsea service with a transit coach and an AATA driver compared to contracting operations,” said Ford. “We’ll continue to examine this and other efficiency measures so that this expanded transit service can continue to serve Washtenaw County residents.”

Staff also recommended a renewed focus on marketing to achieve stronger ridership and revenue growth. Ford states that continuing the A2 Express service will also provide additional data for TheRide’s Transit Master Plan, which will begin development this summer.

“By continuing the A2 Express services we will be able to continue to collect data that will provide us with a benchmark on which we can model additional transit options that come out of the Transit Master Plan discussions.”

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