Ann Arbor Area Transportation Authority
| Company type | Public transit authority |
|---|---|
| Industry | Public transportation |
| Founded | 1969 |
| Headquarters | Ann Arbor , United States |
Area served | Ann Arbor, Ypsilanti, Michigan |
| Products | Bus services, paratransit, microtransit, shuttle services |
| Owner | Publicly owned |
| Website | theride |
The Ann Arbor Area Transportation Authority (AAATA), known publicly as TheRide, manages public transportation services in the Michigan communities of Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti. During the fiscal year 2021 (spanning October 2020 to October 2021), the system recorded a total ridership of 1,725,797.
Early Transit Services
Public bus operations in Ann Arbor commenced in 1925, taking over from the streetcar network formerly run by the Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti Street Railway. From the late 1940s onward, several private bus operators encountered financial difficulties. Service by Great Lakes Greyhound concluded in 1957, and subsequent operators also faced economic challenges. In 1968, St. John Transportation Company, based in Dayton, Ohio, began running routes supported by municipal subsidies but discontinued service by January 1969 due to unsustainable expenses.
In response, the city founded the Ann Arbor Transportation Authority in 1969 to purchase and manage its own transit system, allocating an initial budget of $200,000 for its first year of operation.
Inaugural Operations under AATA
Comprehensive bus service across the city officially started on April 1, 1969. By January 1970, the AATA had secured a federal grant amounting to $429,275 for bus procurement. Projections in July of that year estimated annual patronage at approximately 600,000 riders—a milestone described as "exceptional" by then-chair George Bacalis. By October, the authority actively sought community feedback regarding significant road construction projects affecting transit routes.
Growth and Development
Toward the end of 1973, Washtenaw Community College financed a bus route linking Arborland Center with its campus situated in Ann Arbor Charter Township, despite the township opting not to provide financial support. That same year marked the introduction of AATA’s first paratransit service featuring a wheelchair-accessible van operating within city boundaries.
On February 18, 1974, AATA launched its inaugural bus connection between downtown Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti along Washtenaw Avenue. Later that year saw the debut of Teltran—a demand-responsive transit service within Ann Arbor. By mid-1974, annual ridership surpassed one million passengers.
During the late 1980s and early 1990s, under director Michael Bolton’s leadership, AATA partnered with both the city government and the University of Michigan to create a comprehensive two-decade transportation plan. The American Public Transit Association recognized AATA’s commitment to safety by awarding it their annual bus safety honor in June 1991. Bolton left AATA in 1994 to lead Capital Metro.
AATA distinguished itself as the first transit agency in the United States to deploy low-floor buses when it received ten New Flyer D40LF models in early 1993; prior to this, only two Canadian transit agencies and New York/New Jersey’s Port Authority had introduced similar buses.
In November 2012, construction began on the Blake Transit Center—an $8.1 million project replacing the original one-story facility from the 1980s located at 328 South Fifth Avenue with a new two-story structure spanning 12,019 square feet in downtown Ann Arbor. The center officially opened on July 7, 2014. Additionally, the D2A2 route provides a direct link between Blake Transit Center and downtown Detroit.
Rebranding and Growth
In August 2013, the governing board decided to change the name from Ann Arbor Transportation Authority (AATA) to Ann Arbor Area Transportation Authority (AAATA) to acknowledge Ypsilanti's representation on the board and emphasize a broader regional service approach across Washtenaw County. By December 2013, Ypsilanti Township had officially joined AAATA as a charter member. Despite a general decline in bus usage across Michigan during the 2010s, AAATA successfully grew its rider base by expanding its bus services.
Fixed Routes
Routes that run east–west connecting Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti are identified by single-digit numbers. Routes beginning at Blake Transit Center that serve various neighborhoods in Ann Arbor are numbered between 22 and 34. Local routes operating out of Ypsilanti Transit Center carry numbers from 42 to 47, while crosstown routes that do not connect to either transit center are numbered in the 62–68 range.
Active Routes
As of August 25, 2024.
-"62" -"U-M State" -"Central Campus TC" -"Wolverine Tower" -"12-15" -" - " -" - " -"Service reduced outside UM Fall and Winter terms" -"63" -"U-M Pontiac" -"Central Campus TC" -"Food Gatherers" -"30" -" - " -" - " -"8 weekday peak trips only; continues with route 64 service" -"64" -"Geddes-E. Stadium" -"Central Campus TC" -"Pioneer High School" -"30" -" - " -" - " -"11 weekday peak trips; through service with route 63" -"65" -"U-M Downtown-Green" -"Central Campus TC" -"Glacier Hills" -"30" -" - " -" - " -"Continues through with route 61 service" -"66" -"Carpenter-Huron" -"Meijer, Ypsilanti" -"Green Road Park & Ride" -"30" -"60" -" - " -Select runs detour to Golfside Rd or Glacier Hills for Huron High School students -67 -Eisenhower-Golfside -Briarwood Mall -Trinity Health Ann Arbor Hospital / Washtenaw Community College -30 (daytime) - - - - -Daytime trips connect through to route 6B -|- -Washtenaw Community College -60 (evenings) -30 -30 -|- -68 -Harris-Ford -Gault Village -Holmes + Ridge -30 - - - - -Runs through with route 43 service -|- -104 -Washtenaw Express -Blake TC -Ypsilanti TC -30 - - - - -Service with limited stops -|}Key Transfer Locations
The central transfer hubs within the AAATA network include the Blake Transit Center located in downtown Ann Arbor and the Ypsilanti Transit Center situated in downtown Ypsilanti. Both centers provide indoor waiting areas and staffed ticket counters.
Within the University of Michigan campus, AAATA buses stop at several points. The primary transfer hub for Central Campus is the Central Campus Transit Center on Geddes Avenue. North Campus routes all converge at Pierpont Commons, while buses serving the University of Michigan Health campus make stops along Observatory Street. These locations facilitate connections with University of Michigan Transit services throughout the campus.
Other significant transfer spots in Ann Arbor consist of Arborland Center, Briarwood Mall, the Ann Arbor VA Hospital, and Traver Village Shopping Center. In northeast Pittsfield Township, the Carpenter Road Meijer store acts as a crucial interchange for several bus lines serving the Ypsilanti area.
Specialized Services
TheRide provides paratransit options under the ARide brand for individuals with disabilities, a service operated by MV Transportation since 2021. Additionally, microtransit services branded as FlexRide operate within Ypsilanti and Pittsfield Townships and are managed by Via Transportation. TheRide also runs shuttle services for special events such as the Ann Arbor Art Fairs and home games of the Michigan Wolverines football team, while also organizing carpools and vanpools in partnership with major employers in the region.
Connections
AAATA links with University of Michigan Transit at various campus locations, with these services available free to all passengers.
Access to western Washtenaw County is provided via the Western Washtenaw Area Value Express starting from route 30’s western endpoint. Service extending to northeast Washtenaw County and Livingston County is offered by People's Express, which connects at the University of Michigan Hospital.
The Wolverine Amtrak train serves Ann Arbor station, which is accessible via bus routes 22, 33, and 65. This station also accommodates intercity bus operators such as Greyhound and FlixBus.
The Michigan Flyer, offering twelve daily trips between East Lansing, Brighton, and Detroit Metropolitan Airport, stops at Blake Transit Center.
D2A2 provides hourly express transit between Ann Arbor and Downtown Detroit. In 2023, it introduced late-night summer service from June through September, allowing passengers to return from Detroit close to midnight.
Park and Ride
AAATA maintains ten free Park and Ride facilities mainly positioned on the outskirts of Ann Arbor. These lots offer frequent bus service during weekday peak hours, with some availability throughout weekends and all day. The "TheRide 2045" initiative plans to add a second tier of park-and-ride locations aimed at commuters traveling from greater distances outside the city core.
Fleet
TheRide's vehicle fleet comprises Gillig Low Floor and Nova Bus LFS models powered by B12 biodiesel fuel, including 55 diesel-electric hybrid buses. In 2007, AAATA became the first transit agency in the Midwest to pledge an entirely hybrid fleet, though this objective was not fully achieved. In 2022, AAATA launched efforts to shift its entire fleet to either battery-electric or hydrogen fuel cell buses by 2035.
Fares
AAATA utilizes a fixed fare structure: the standard fare on fixed routes is $1.50, payable by cash or tokens. Day passes are priced at $3.00, while 31-day passes cost $45.00. Riders can also purchase tickets through the EZfare mobile app available for IPhone and Android devices. Transfers are complimentary and permit unlimited connections on fixed routes within a 90-minute window.
Certain groups travel without charge, including University of Michigan affiliates, children younger than six years, seniors aged 65 and older, qualified disabled riders, and employees of TheRide. Half-price fares are offered to Medicaid beneficiaries, K–12 students, and seniors between 60 and 64 years old.
The AirRide service charges a standard adult fare of $15, with reduced rates available for children and round-trip purchases. Tickets for the D2A2 route are set at $8, with discounts provided for early purchases, seniors, and disabled passengers.
Projects
AAATA has partnered with Washtenaw County agencies to improve transit offerings.
TheRide 2045
TheRide 2045 represents AAATA’s comprehensive long-range strategy aiming to enhance service by cutting travel times, addressing equity issues, and reducing environmental impacts. Crafted over an 18-month period with input from public advisory groups, the plan proposes a new property tax starting in 2024 to resolve a structural funding shortfall. This revenue will support expanded service hours, ensure weekend buses run at least every 30 minutes, and introduce an express route connecting the Blake Transit Center and Ypsilanti Transit Center. Beginning in August 2023, information specialists were stationed at the Ypsilanti Transit Center.
Transit Signal Priority
Since 1973, AAATA in collaboration with Ann Arbor has investigated automated traffic signal systems designed to prioritize bus movement. As of 2018, options for implementing Transit Signal Priority continued to be assessed with the goal of enhancing bus operational efficiency.
Zero-emission buses
In October 2023, TheRide proposed initiating a pilot program for hydrogen fuel cell buses. This initiative would involve an AAATA investment estimated between $1.1 million and $1.5 million, supplemented by federal grants ranging from $4.4 million to $6 million.
Administration
The Ann Arbor Area Transportation Authority functions as a Michigan special district providing transit services under agreements with six municipalities in Washtenaw County. The board of directors consists of ten members appointed by full member jurisdictions: Ann Arbor, Ypsilanti, and Ypsilanti Charter Township. Pittsfield, Scio, and Superior Charter Townships receive services through purchase contracts but do not have representation on the board.
In 2023, fare revenues contributed approximately 7% of AAATA’s operating budget; additional funding comes from local property taxes, federal and state grants, and contractual service agreements.
TheRide’s employees—including operators, maintenance personnel, and customer service staff—are represented by Transport Workers Union Local 171.
Additionally, AAATA serves as the designated authority for the proposed Ann Arbor-Howell commuter rail project known as WALLY.
See also
- List of bus transit systems in the United States
- Ann Arbor station
- Western Washtenaw Area Value Express
External links
| # | Name | Endpoints | Frequency (minutes) | Remarks | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mon-Fri | Sat | Sun | ||||||
| 3 | Huron River | Blake TC | Ypsilanti TC | 30 | 30 | 30 | ||
| 4 | Washtenaw Local | Blake TC | Ypsilanti TC | 15-30 | 30 | 30 | ||
| 5A | Packard | Blake TC | Ypsilanti TC | 30 | 30 | - | ||
| 5B | Meijer, Ypsilanti | 30 | - | 30 | ||||
| 6A | Ellsworth | Blake TC | Ypsilanti TC | 30 | 30 | 30 | ||
| 6B | Briarwood Mall | 30 | - | - | Continues as route 67 service | |||
| 22 | Pontiac-Dhu Varren | Blake TC | UM North Campus (Pierpont Commons) | 30 | 60 | 60 | ||
| 23 | Plymouth | Blake TC | Plymouth Road Park & Ride | 15 (daytime) | - | - | ||
| Green Road Park & Ride | 30 (evenings) | 30 | 30 | |||||
| 25 | 'Ann Arbor-Saline' | 'Blake TC' | 'Meijer, Ann Arbor-Saline Rd' | '30' | '30' | '30' | ||
| '26' | 'Scio Church' | 'Clockwise loop via Blake TC, Scio Ridge' | '30' | '60' | '60' | 'Route 29 covers counter-clockwise loop' | ||
| '27' | 'W. Stadium-Oak Valley' | 'Blake TC' | 'Meijer, Ann Arbor-Saline Rd' | '30' | '30' | '30' | ||
| '28' | 'Pauline' | 'Blake TC' | 'Maple + Pennsylvania' | '15-30' | '30' | '30' | ||
| '29' | 'Liberty' | 'Counter-clockwise loop via Blake TC, Scio Ridge' | '30' | '60' | ' - ' | 'Route 26 runs clockwise loop' | ||
| '30' | 'Jackson' | 'Blake TC' | 'Meijer, Jackson Rd' | '30' | '30' | '30' | ||
| '31' | 'Dexter' | 'Blake TC' | 'Jackson + Wagner' | '30' | '30' | '30' | ||
| '32' | "Miller-Maple" | "Blake TC" | "Maple + Pennsylvania" | "30" | "30" | "30" | "Certain trips serve Skyline High School" | |
| "33" | "Newport" | "Blake TC" | "Warrington + Newport" | "30" | " - " | " - " | "" | |
| "34" | "Maple-Dexter" | "Blake TC" | "Miller Road Park & Ride" | "30" | " - " | " - " | "11 weekday peak trips only" | |
| "42" | "Forest-MacArthur" | "Ypsilanti TC" | "MacArthur + Harris" | "30" | "30" | "30" | "" | |
| "43" | "E. Michigan" | "Ypsilanti TC" | "Holmes + Ridge" | "30" | "30" | "30" | "Operates through service with route 68" | |
| "44" | "Ecorse-Tyler" | "Ypsilanti TC" | "West Willow Community Center" | "30" | "30" | "30" | "" | |
| "45" | "Grove" | "Ypsilanti TC" | "Grove + Harry" | "30" | "30" | "30" | "" | |
| "46" | "Huron-Paint Creek" | "Ypsilanti TC" | "Huron River Dr + Textile" | "30" | "30" | "30" | "Select runs serve Arbor Preparatory High School students" | |
| "47" | "Harriet-W. Michigan" | "Ypsilanti TC" | "Hewitt + Ellsworth" | "30" | "30" | "30" | "" | |
| "61" | "U-M Miller" | "Central Campus TC" | "Miller Road Park & Ride" | "30"
-" - " -" - " -"Runs through with route 65 services" |
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