Not only did transit win in Wayne County … transit won across our state!
On August 4th, 18 transit millages were voted on across Michigan, and each and everyone was approved by voters. Most won by overwhelmingly popular margins, and most of these are not just renewals!
Countywide expansion across Wayne and Delta
In Wayne County, our countywide expansion millage won with 67% of the vote. But Delta County (Escanaba) also approved a countywide expansion millage for the Delta Area Transit Authority (DATA) with 65% of the vote. This includes countywide service, extended hours, and Saturday and late Friday night service.
Funding increases across the state
Five different transit systems across our state got more funding with their millages. These include:
- Alger County (Munising), Altran millage increased approved with 61% of the vote. Altran is a countywide provider, serving all of Alger county.
- Genesee County (Flint), Mass Transportation Authority (MTA) got increased funding with 64% of the vote. MTA is a countywide transit authority as well, and provide regional transit services to Brighton, Howell, and Pontiac.
- Manistee County Transportation won with 61% of the vote. Manistee County Transprotation is a countywide dial-a-ride system.
- Ogemaw County Transit (West Branch) won after receiving 54% of the vote. Ogemaw County Transit provides countywide dial-a-ride service.
- Allegan County (part), Interurban Transit won with 76% of the vote. Interurban Transit provides dial-a-ride service for Saugatuck, Douglas, Saugatuck Township, and Fennville.
Almost a dozen renewals
The following counties, cities, and systems kept their millage rate, but were up for renewal:
- Charlevoix County Transportation Authority, 72% yes vote
- Crawford County (Grayling) Transportation Authority, 58% yes vote
- Ingham County, Capital Area Transportation Authority (CATA), 79% yes vote
- Iosco County, Iosco Transit, 59% yes vote
- Kalamazoo County Transportation Authority (Kalamazoo Metro), 65% yes vote
- Marquette County Transit Authority (Marq-Tran), 70% yes vote
- Mason County (only Pere Marquette Township), Ludington Mass Transportation Authority (LMTA), 80% yes vote
- Monroe County:
- Frenchtown Township, Lake Erie Transportation, 65% yes vote
- Monroe (City), Lake Erie Transportation Commission (Lake Erie Transit), 75% yes vote
- Shiawassee County (only Caledonia Township), Shiawassee Area Transportation Agency, 70% yes vote
- St. Joseph County Transportation Authority, 68% yes vote
- Wexford County, Cadillac/Wexford Transit Authority (CWTA), 65% yes vote
The results continue a longstanding trend of strong voter support for public transportation. Historically, transit millage proposals in Michigan pass at a rate exceeding 90 percent across election cycles, making them one of the state’s most consistently successful local funding measures.
As our ally, John Dulmes, Executive Director of the Michigan Public Transit Association (MPTA) says: “The message from voters is clear: Michigan communities value public transportation and are willing to invest in it. Across the state, local voters supported transit funding by overwhelming margins because they see firsthand how these services strengthen their communities.”
Let’s hope Lansing, and candidates vying for the win in November get the message from voters as well.