Report: Ann Arbor could support light rail and bus rapid transit

The study, started in 2009, is a collaborative effort of the city of Ann Arbor, the Ann Arbor Transportation Authority, the Ann Arbor Downtown Development Authority and the University of Michigan.

Eli Cooper, transportation program manager, said the study stemmed from a transportation master plan that highlighted opportunities on corridors around the city.

The connector study looked at travel patterns in the north-south corridor and determined that three transit systems would be feasible — bus rapid transit, light rail transit and elevated technology.

According to the release, current and future ridership levels support a high-capacity system, especially between the University of Michigan’s North Campus and downtown Ann Arbor, but there also are economic, land use and environmental benefits associated with improved transit.

Officials say the high-capacity transit systems would not replace the current bus system operated by the AATA.

Cooper said the next step will be to hear feedback from the City Council, as well as stakeholder partners, so that they can determine how to proceed. An additional alternatives analysis study would be the next step in determining the transit system that may be pursued.

Visit www.aaconnector.com or www.a2gov.org for more information.

This meeting also will be televised live on Community Television Network’s Comcast Channel 16 and is available via live web streaming.