Page 12 - LRCC November 2022 Focus

ADVOCACY FOCUS MAGAZINE | NOVEMBER 2022

Tri-County Public Transit Agencies Launch Unprecedented

Partnership to Enhance Regional Mobility

he Greater Lansing region’s three jurisdictions an increasingly important
public transit agencies recently component of economic development. The
Tunveiled an unprecedented effort regional partnership aims to close significant
to enhance regional mobility across the gaps in the current system where clusters
Mid-Michigan region. The Capital Area of employers lack transit service. Many of
Transportation Authority, Eaton County these businesses attract employees from
Transportation Authority, and Clinton Area all three counties, including urban and rural
Transit System are collaborating with Tri- areas. The regional mobility partnership
County Regional Planning Commission to will evaluate the potential for new transit
align the region’s transit systems in Ingham, services to employment centers, including
Eaton, and Clinton counties. the Delta Township Industrial Park, Capital
Region International Airport, and Delta
The historic partnership includes a shared Township Marketplace Boulevard. As part of
management agreement between CATA and the expanded interlocal agreement, Clinton
EATRAN, an expanded interlocal agreement Transit will now offer service to and from
between CATA and Clinton Transit that will Ingham County for all trip purposes.
facilitate the coordination of key bus services, and funding
support from the Michigan Department of Transportation. Funding to support the regional mobility partnership
will come in part from a state grant awarded to CATA by
The concept of regional mobility alignment between the MDOT’s Public Transit Management System. The three-
three authorities brings the potential of a seamless “one- year, $737,000 Service Development and New Technology
seat ride” closer to fruition for Mid-Michigan communities. grant is designed to help public transit agencies coordinate
This increased collaboration removes the limitations of regional transit service to promote cross-boundary
economic or geographic boundaries and provides more movement.
opportunities for people to live, work, play, and seek services
where they want. Jean Ruestman, administrator of MDOT’s Office of
Passenger Transportation, noted that the state grant
In addition, major employment opportunities across the funding will assist the regional partners as they implement
region – projected to grow even more with the construction sustainable strategies for continued transit system
of General Motors’ Ultium battery plant, a new Amazon development, and promote regional business and
distribution center, and the Meijer Distribution Centers in economic development opportunities. l
Delta Township – make public transit coordination across

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