Public Transit Leaders Call for Urgent Action to Address Michigan's Local Bus Funding Crisis

January 27, 2025

Public Transit Leaders Call for Urgent Action to Address Michigan’s Local Bus Funding Crisis

Recent discussions about Michigan's transportation funding crisis have highlighted a pressing need for immediate action to stabilize public transit services across the state. In collaboration with the Michigan Public Transit Association (MPTA), MASSTrans is calling on the Governor and Legislature to include local bus systems in their upcoming budget and transportation funding decisions.

At the heart of the issue is a sharp decline in the state’s share of Local Bus Operating (LBO) funding. As John Dulmes, Executive Director of MPTA, stated:
“The current funding crisis has destabilized transit agencies and threatens essential rides. It is crucial that the upcoming budget process reverse the stark decline in the state’s support for Local Bus Operating.”

MASSTrans President Ken Jimkoski echoed these concerns:
“We’re reaching a dire point for transit services. Legislators must make sure that any road funding package includes a share for local public transportation, following the longstanding formula. The current funding situation is simply unsustainable.”

To fully fund Michigan's local bus systems, MASSTrans and MPTA estimate that an additional $200 million annually is required. Whether this funding comes from auto-related sales tax revenues or new transportation revenues, the need for immediate investment is clear. Without intervention, the long-term viability of many transit services is at risk, threatening access to essential rides for Michigan residents.

This funding challenge and potential solutions will be key topics at the upcoming Public Transportation Funding Forum on February 13 and Transit Legislative Day on March 12. These events will provide MASSTrans members and the public with opportunities to engage with policymakers and advocate for a sustainable future for Michigan’s transit systems.

For further information or inquiries, please contact:
Ken Jimkoski, MASSTrans President
Email: ken.jimkoski@tatbus.com

Together, we can work toward a future where Michigan’s public transit systems remain safe, effective, and accessible to all.

New Distracted Driving Law Takes Effect June 30th→

Governor Gretchen Whitmer has signed into law a bill making it illegal to hold and use a mobile electronic device while operating a motor vehicle in Michigan. With the bill signing, Michigan becomes the 26th state in the U.S. to establish hands-free driving laws.

For more information and details, please visit https://www.michigan.gov/msp/divisions/ohsp/distracted-driving

MDOT's Jean Ruestman talks about the evolving role of DOT's in zero-emission transit

Michigan’s Jean Ruestman and Iowa’s Travis Estep sit down Jared Schnader of CALSTART to talk about how they are supporting their agencies, and what they have learned.

You can listen to the podcast in it’s entirety by clicking the link below.

https://transitpodcast.org/

Blue Water Area Transportation Commission Releases a Letter Opposing Senate Bills 597 & 598

On Friday, April 15, 2022, the Blue Water Area Transportation Commission (BAWATC) released a letter detailing its opposition to Senate Bills 597 & 598. You may find a copy of the published letter here.

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About Blue Water Area Transit Commission

The Blue Water Area Transit system provides regularly-scheduled bus service six days a week to the City of Port Huron and Fort Gratiot Township as well as a dial-a-ride service in Marysville, Fort Gratiot, Burtchville and Port Huron Townships.

The public transit system is operated by the Blue Water Area Transportation Commission, an independent public agency, with support from state, federal and local governments.  The Commissioners are representatives and their alternates from the Transit’s service area.

In 2016, Blue Water Area Transit averaged over 100,000 trips monthly with 1,246,295 for the year — and over 29,000,000 since 1976.  The 85 busses cover nine regular routes and multiple handicap, dial-a-ride and agency partnerships.

Whitmer Vetoes Bill Pausing Fuel Tax

See the following article found in the Detroit News.

https://detroitnews-mi.newsmemory.com/?publink=30658c999_1348416

July Legislative Update

Yesterday, the legislature adopted the K-12 School Aid Budget bill and sent it on to the Governor. The rest of the state departments and agencies will have to wait until the legislature returns in mid-July to complete the state budgets. We would not doubt if it takes until early September for the House and Senate to complete negotiations with the Administration. They have blown past their own statutory deadline of July 1 to complete the state budgets, so in many respects, the pressure is off for a short time.

Annual Frontline Conference to be held in August

August 9th kicks off the MASSTrans annual Frontline Conference at the Boyne Mountain Resort in Boyne Falls, Michigan. This conference focuses on the transit staff who are on the front lines daily supporting Michigan passengers.

Multiple training sessions will be held this year including customer service, human trafficking, software training from Routematch and PCTrans software, accident investigation, practical technology solutions, defensive driving, and much more!

More information can be found by visiting our conference site at www.masstrans.org/conference.

MASSTrans Legislative Update

Legislative notes from our representative:

The Governor’s 45 cent gas tax proposal is gaining no traction at this time and she is now calling out the Legislature to come up with their own plan. We believe there will be a very slow response. The budget recommendations she has proposed is all wrapped around the road fix so we see it challenging to decouple the issues at the moment. Expect a long budget process, likely well into the summer unless something breaks.

With the retirement of Brooks Patterson as Oakland county Exec, you will get a Dem in office and we believe that person will be far more supportive of RTA so we need to be mindful.

Hopthru Mobile Presents at Board Meeting

At our February 11th board meeting held in Cadillac, MI we hosted Hopthru Mobile out of San Fransico to present to our members their mobile ticketing platform. Hopthru is a fare collection and validation platform designed to connect transit agencies on one system that can be accessed by riders across the country.

Michigan customers for Hopthru include BATA in Traverse City, and the Cadillac/Wexford Transit Authority who is currently in talks with Hopthru.

If you are interested in learning more about Hopthru you may visit them online at www.hopthru.com or you may download a copy of the presentation they gave to the board.