The Ypsilanti Courier
A Heritage Newspaper
Weekly Publication
Authority to cancel subsidies to city
President: We can't afford to treat you differently anymore
By Christine Laughren, Staff Writer
PUBLISHED: April 3, 2008
The president of the Ann Arbor Transportation Authority told members of the Ypsilanti City Council Tuesday evening not to rely on subsidies from the transportation authority anymore.
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David Nacht, AATA Board President, said although he has always been in support of Ypsilanti's transportation subsidies, he is losing support from other AATA board members.
"I am getting real pressure from my board to stop subsidizing Ypsilanti," Nacht said. "We can't continue to treat you differently than we treat other communities."
The AATA operates the local public transit bus system named The Ride. The system serves the cities of Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti, and nearby Pittsfield, Ypsilanti, and Superior townships with 27 routes.
Nacht urged the Council to take a look their options and start considering the future of public transportation in Ypsilanti.
He said some options the city has is the proposal of a county-wide property millage, fair increases or cutbacks on routs throughout Ypsilanti.
Several in the Ypsilanti community use the bus system to get to Washtenaw Community College, St. Joseph and the University of Michigan Nacht said. He suggested the city approach the organizations for financial help.
The AATA has given subsidies to the city for the past two years. The authority is funded through federal and state grants as well as the City of Ann Arbor.
Council member Lois Richardson said she would like to see what type of transportation funding the AATA receives from the federal government for serving the City of Ypsilanti.
She said if the AATA does receive federal funds, that amount should be factored into the city's contribution to the bus system.
Richardson also noted the need for Ypsilanti to approach major entities in the community for financial support.
"We do need the political will to push something ahead and I think that's what's missing," said mayor Paul Schreiber.
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