Metro Transit (Kalamazoo)
 |
|
|---|---|
| Founded | 1967 |
| Headquarters | 530 N. Rose Street |
| Locale | Kalamazoo, MI |
| Service type | bus service, paratransit |
| Routes | 21 |
| Stations | Kalamazoo Transportation Center |
| Web site | Metro Transit |
Kalamazoo Metro Transit is a public transport service that operates 23 routes in the Kalamazoo, Michigan, metropolitan area. Most routes serve the city proper, but some extend into the neighboring communities of Portage, Parchment, Comstock Township, Kalamazoo Township, and Oshtemo Township. Service is primarily by bus, although a special Metro County Connect Access service is available for riders with disabilities who cannot board regular buses.
Metro Transit is primarily funded by a combination of federal, state, and local contributions; in 2003, rider fares made up 19.25% of the operating budget.
Metro Transit is governed by a Board of Directors. The seven members are appointed by the Kalamazoo City Commission to terms of three years. Members must be residents of the city of Kalamazoo.
Kalamazoo Metro Transit was formed in 1967, when residents of Kalamazoo voted to acquire the failing private transit company Kalamazoo City Lines. In 1980, with the purchase of a new bus fleet, Metro Transit operated the first fully wheelchair-accessible fleet in Michigan.
In 2003, Kalamazoo Metro Transit carried riders on more than three million trips. About one-third of the passengers had no driver's license, automobile, or other means of motorized transport.[1]
In 2006, voters approved a millage to permit Metro Transit to retain night and Saturday service and add two routes in Portage.[2] Declining financial support from the state, a flagging local economy, and rising fuel prices, led Metro Transit to increase fares to the current rate (as of January 2010) of $1.50 per adult.
Routes
The Kalamazoo Transportation Center serves as the primary transfer hub for Kalamazoo Metro Transit bus routes
| No. | Name | Service points[3] |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Westnedge | Downtown, Meijer on Westnedge, Crossroads Mall |
| 2 | Portage | Downtown, Bronson Methodist Hospital, Milwood Elementary, Milwood, Washington Elementary, Maple Ridge Apartments |
| 3 | West Michigan | Western Michigan University's main campus, The Arboretum, The Point, Village Apartments, Westland Meadows, Maple Hill Mall, West Main Mall |
| 4 | Oakland | Downtown, Michikal Street, Oakland Drive, Oakwood, Parkview Avenue |
| 5 | East Main | Downtown, East Main Street, Eastwood Plaza |
| 6 | Parchment | Downtown, City of Parchment, Goodwill Industries, Parchment High School |
| 7 | Alamo | Downtown, Metro Transit offices, Alamo Avenue, Hillside Middle School |
| 8 | Egleston | Downtown, Wings Stadium, Milwood, Milwood Junior High, Covinton Road |
| 9 | Gull | Downtown, Borgess Medical Center, Nazareth Center Complex, East Towne Mall, Meijer and Walmart on Gull Road |
| 10 | Comstock | Downtown, Mayor's Riverfront Park, Kalamazoo County Fairgrounds, Kalamazoo County Sheriff's Department, Kalamazoo County Jail, Comstock, Meijer on Gull Road. |
| 11 | Stadium/KVCC | Downtown, Western Michigan University, Stadium Drive, Kalamazoo Valley Community College - Oshtemo Township Campus |
| 12 | Bronson | Downtown, YWCA, South Middle School, St. Monica's School, Hackett High School, Meijer on Westnedge, Milham Park, Loy Norrix High School, Kalamazoo/Battle Creek International Airport |
| 13 | South Burdick | Downtown Bronson Methodist Hospital, Family Independence Agency, MRC on Bank Street, Goodwill Industries, Milham Park, Loy Norrix High School, Meijer on Westnedge, |
| 14 | West Main | Downtown, Kalamazoo Central High School, Maple Hill Mall, Meijer on West Main |
| 15 | Paterson | Downtown, Metro Transit offices, Douglas Community Center, Interfaith Homes, Lincoln School, North Christian School, Northside Prep School |
| 16 | Lovell | Downtown, Kalamazoo City Hall, Oak and Lovell, Western Michigan University's main campus |
| 21 | Solon-Kendall | Western Michigan University service to Solon Street and West Main Street |
| 22 | Lafayette | Western Michigan University service to apartments |
| 26 | Centre West | Portage City Hall, Borgess at Woodbridge Hills, Anna's Vineyard, Milham Meadows, Oakwood, Crossroads Mall |
| 27 | Centre East | Portage City Hall, Centre Avenue, Sprinkle Road, Portage Industrial Park |
| 28 | Shaver | The Crossings, Shaver Road, Portage Central High School, Portage City Hall. |
References
- ^ Chourey, Sarita (March 30, 2008). "Public transit gears up to go countrywide". Kalamazoo Gazette: p. B1.
- ^ Cedric Ricks (November 8, 2006). "Bus tax approved by narrow margin". Kalamazoo Gazette.
- ^ Metro Transit Bus Routes