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Posted on Mon, May 13, 2013 : 3:42 p.m.

Michigan Flyer shuttle service wins $600,000 federal grant but roadblocks remain

By Ben Freed

Federal grant money has been approved for increased bus service between Ann Arbor and East Lansing, but concerns from the Capital Regional Airport Authority threaten to halt the project before it gets started, according to an MLive report.

Michigan_Flyer_stock_photo.jpg

File photo

According to the MLive story, the nearly $600,000 grant would allow Michigan Flyer, a subsidiary of Indian Trails, to purchase a new bus and increase the number of trips between East Lansing and Ann Arbor from eight to 12 daily. While Michigan Flyer president Gordon Mackay said in a release that the grant would allow near-hourly service between the two college towns, the Tri-County Regional Planning Commission may not approve the grant.

The dispute stems from the fact that the Michigan Flyer does not terminate its route in Ann Arbor, but continues to the Detroit Metropolitan Airport, the MLive story reports. Capital Region International Airport officials worry that more bus service will increase the likelihood that a Lansing traveler will use the Flyer to access cheaper flights in Detroit.

The regional planning commission is scheduled to vote on the grant at its May 29 meeting.

Ben Freed covers business for AnnArbor.com. You can sign up here to receive Business Review updates every week. Reach out to Ben at 734-623-2528 or email him at benfreed@annarbor.com. Follow him on twitter @BFreedinA2

Comments

Boo Radley

Tue, May 14, 2013 : 11:13 a.m.

For years I have read that not enough of Michigan's taxes to the federal government are returned to Michigan. Maybe this is part of the reason why. And, why are there complaints about tax dollars being used in this way? Rejecting the grants will not result in any more responsible or worthy use of our tax dollars. It will only result in the same grants going to another state. This bus service is a valuable transportation service. I hope the grant is accepted in order to improve it and keep fares low for users.

Heather Harmon

Tue, May 14, 2013 : 12:15 a.m.

As an MSU student who has used the Flyer over 10 times in the last 8 months to get back and forth from Saline, I am extremely hopeful that this grant is approved. I hope I can offer some insight as a frequent rider. The bus's latest departure time from EL on weekdays is 4:05. This is not at all convenient for students with late afternoon classes or evening jobs. A one way ticket from EL to A2 is $15, $30 for a round trip ticket or one way ticket from EL to DTW. The bus is almost always PACKED in the afternoons and on weekends, especially before holidays and during semester breaks. MANY MSU and UofM students are dependent on the bus to get home, visit friends, and get to the airport. Out of state and international students use the bus to get to DTW. No college student can afford (or is likely able to) rent a car or call a taxi. In the last week I have been looking to book a flight. DTW was only an option because of the Flyer. However, at the end of the day, a flight from LAN to DTW actually made my whole flight cheaper. Ultimately, comparison shopping saved me money, and I feel that many frugal Flyer riders will be in the same boat. Michigan Flyer is a valuable, popular transportation system that benefits students and EL and A2 residents. LAN's attempt to block this grant seems silly when I have firsthand experience proving that LAN's cheaper, convenient flights can win my business (and I have friends who have had similar small-airport experiences). Later and more frequent departure times on weekdays will be a great benefit to busy college students and evening travelers. I sincerely hope Flyer receives the grant :)

DonBee

Tue, May 14, 2013 : 6:46 p.m.

Ms Harmon - It would be interesting to know if all the buses are packed. If so, one would think that adding a bus at a time until they had a few seats left should be profitable to do. I wonder if all 8 runs each way each day are packed, and if not, are they running at the right times to serve the people who want them?

Angry Moderate

Tue, May 14, 2013 : 2:52 a.m.

Students may not be able to afford a rental car or taxi, but they can pay their own bus fare. If there are actually thousands of people riding these buses every week, they can raise the $600k by increasing the fare by $1 or $2.

arborarmy

Mon, May 13, 2013 : 10:20 p.m.

Opponents of federally subsidized passenger rail who comment on the Snooze's pages frequently cite the Flyer as a for profit service that operates without subsidy. Guess that it is here where that particular piece of mythology ceases to be used. Except that fiction and mythology is all that conservatives bring to the plate.

DonBee

Mon, May 13, 2013 : 10:18 p.m.

So, Mr. Freed - Do the public a service: 1) What is the total cost of the service and how much of that is covered by fare vs how much of it is covered by subsidies? 2) What is the average ridership on these buses?

Angry Moderate

Mon, May 13, 2013 : 8:55 p.m.

Do we really need to spend tax money on 12 bus trips between Ann Arbor and East Lansing every day? 8 trips sounds like plenty...even if people have to wait a little longer to catch a bus.

aareader

Mon, May 13, 2013 : 8:45 p.m.

"Capital Region International Airport officials worry that more bus service will increase the likelihood that a Lansing traveler will use the Flyer to access cheaper flights in Detroit." Talk about providing the better options??? Smacks of a monopoly at work! What is REALLY funny... I know people that travel to Lansing to take a fight because it is a CHEAPER flight than metro! The only issue is ~ this a great way for people to travel between to popular destinations. This should be the only consideration for implementing this service especially with funding available.

Bill

Tue, May 14, 2013 : 2:41 a.m.

@AAreader, I agree with your statement about people traveling to Lansing to take a flight because it is cheaper than flying from metro. This is a fact, so perhaps Capital Region International Airport officials should consider that people might actually take the bus TO Lansing to catch flights!