BATA offers free in-town Cherriot bus rides
With the rising price at the pump, many people are thinking twice before driving these days. Traverse Area Recreation and Transportation (TART) Trails is working with the Bay Area Transportation Authority (BATA) to promote Try Transit Day. The in-town Cherriot buses are free all day on June 4 as part of Try Transit Day. Try Transit Day is part of Smart Commute Week, an event that educates, promotes and showcases alternative transportation options in the Traverse City area. BATA offers fixed routes, rural route service, dial-a-ride and more in Grand Traverse and Leelanau Counties. Many of BATA's buses are equipped with bike racks, allowing riders to bring their bike with them. If you've never taken the bus, they offer a buddy system to acclimate new riders. So, give BATA a try next week!
"At a recent BATA board meeting, the ridership report showed that urban ridership is up 21% for the month of April 2008," reported BATA board member Rob Bacigalupi. "Since October 1, 2007, urban ridership is up 16% overall while rural ridership is up 23%." BATA expects ridership numbers to continue to increase as long as gas prices remain high.
To get schedule information or make a reservation - call the BATA dispatchers at 941-2324.
Bus doesn't fit your schedule? Sign up for a carpool at www.NMRide.net, a program of Northwest Michigan Transportation Alliance (NMTA). NMTA is a collaboration of more than 20 human service agencies, non-profits, and local businesses who seek to expand transportation options in Grand Traverse, Leelanau and Benzie counties.
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About BATA
The Bay Area Transportation Authority (BATA) was established in 1985 through the merger of Leelanau County Transit and Traverse City Dial-a-Ride. BATA is a two-county authority, serving Grand Traverse and Leelanau Counties 365 days a year. BATA is funded through state and federal transportation programs, an authority wide millage, and farebox revenues. BATA operates a fleet of 63 buses and vans and employs over 100 people.