About 150 people packed the downtown Ann Arbor Library’s multi-purpose room to find out more about the proposed point-seven mill transit tax last night. Supporters of the Ann Arbor Area Transportation Authority millage appeared to outnumber critics at the League of Women Voters forum.
State Representative Jeff Irwin spoke in favor of the tax hike and questions how the opponents propose to fund expanded service. Irwin and members of More Buses believe the community has requested more service particularly on evenings and weekends. He says the employees that millage critics would cut provide essential services needed by riders.
Representatives for Better Transit Now point to the University of Michigan bus system as being much more efficient than The Ride. They also think the millage question should have been delayed until the Regional Transit Authority has a funding plan which isn’t expected until 2016. Kathy Griswold of Better Transit Now is critical of the proposal. She says the AAATA is almost hijacking the service saying it's only possible if the millage passes.
Voters in Ann Arbor, Ypsilanti, and Ypsilanti Township will consider the ballot question May 6th.
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— Andrew Cluley is the Ann Arbor beat reporter, and anchor for 89.1 WEMU News. Contact him at 734.487.3363 or email him acluley@emich.edu.
