On Nov. 4 Genesee County voters will decide on an additional .425 mills for five years to meet the demand for fixed route bus service, Your Ride and other related services for the elderly, persons with disabilities for the public transportation in Genesee County. The hike will cost voters about $15 per year.
While the ‘Big Bus? does not travel through Atlas Township, residents can still contact Your Ride’a service that MTA General Manager Ed Benning said continues to grow in demand.
‘In our community today we are living longer,? he said. ‘We are seeing an increase in medical transportation throughout the county. For the people of Atlas Township the need continues to grow? we will soon be providing special services including non-emergency medical transportation. Also, many from Atlas Township take Your Ride to Grand Blanc and then ride a bus to work outside the community.?
The millage increase is the first in 18 years, added Benning.
‘Since 2007 the revenue for MTA has declined from $10.7 million to $6.8 million due to loss of property values,? he said. ‘Some of our buses are 31-years-old and we’re paying about $1.5 million more in fuel costs now. We are making headway with some propane buses to help curb the costs.?
Benning said the renewal is critical to the MTA, which reduced hours of operation earlier this year in a cost-cutting move.
The additional millage comes on the heels of a 0.4-mill property tax renewal passed by Genesee County voters on Aug. 5 for Mass Transportation Authority.
The millage, in place since voters first approved it in 1996, would raise about $3.4 million annually for four years.