Metro Transit (Kalamazoo)

Last updated
Metro
Kalamazoo MetroTransit logo.png
Overview
Owner Kalamazoo, MI
Locale Kalamazoo, MI, Portage, MI, Kalamazoo County, MI, Oshtemo Township, MI, Kalamazoo Township, MI, Comstock Township, MI, Texas Township, MI, Pavilion Township, MI, Parchment, MI
Transit type bus service, para transit
Number of lines20 fixed routes (January 2019)
Number of stations Kalamazoo Transportation Center, Western Michigan University Campus Loading Zone, Crossroads Mall
Daily ridership6,500 (weekdays, Q1 2023) [1]
Annual ridership1,604,200 (2022) [2]
Chief executiveSean McBride
Headquarters530 N. Rose Street Kalamazoo MI
Website http://kmetro.org
Operation
Began operation1967
Number of vehicles25 diesel fixed route busses, 11 hybrid electric diesel fixed route busses, 10 community service vans, 45 county connect coaches

Kalamazoo Metro Transit (commonly known as KMetro) is a public transport service that operates 20 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 door to door Metro County Connect service is also available for riders. In 2022, the system had a ridership of 1,604,200, or about 6,500 per weekday as of the first quarter of 2023.

Contents

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.

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. [3]

In 2006, voters approved a millage to permit Metro Transit to retain night and Saturday service and add two routes in Portage. [4] 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.

In August 2015 voters approved a millage of up to 0.75 mills to extend service to 10 p.m. on 3 routes, 11:15 p.m. for 3 routes and to 12:15 p.m. on 12 routes and also added daytime Sunday service from 8:15 a.m. to 5:15 p.m. on 17 routes starting in September 2016 and running through 2020.

In January 2018 Metro extended 11 routes on Sunday to 6:15pm.

In January 2019 Metro added an additional route #20 East Comstock in response to the whole township of Comstock starting to pay for service in the 2015 millage and only the Western edge had currently been receiving fixed route service.

Through a partnership with Western Michigan University WMU students and faculty are allowed to utilize any route in the system free of charge when showing their Bronco ID. [5]

In Fall 2019, Metro reached an agreement with Kalamazoo Public Schools to allow students to utilize any route for free similar to their long running contract with Western Michigan University. This program was initially extremely popular, however, behavioral and capacity issues on city buses led to the program being restricted to an opt-in system.

In April 2020, Metro temporarily suspended operations due to the COVID-19 pandemic. although single passenger trips were permitted on a first come first serve basis. Fare-free fixed route services resumed mid-May 2020 [6] for essential services only. In April 2021,transit services were scaled back due to Covid-19 case surges and driver shortages. [7]

Oversight

Metro is governed by a seven-member Transit Authority Board of Directors appointed by the Mayor of Kalamazoo with consent of the Kalamazoo city commission and an executive director appointed by the city commission. The current executive director is Sean McBride. [8]

The Transit Authority Board Board of Directors includes [9]

Routes

The Kalamazoo Transportation Center serves as the primary transfer hub for Kalamazoo Metro Transit bus routes

No.NameService points [10]
1Westnedge Downtown, Meijer on Westnedge, Crossroads Mall
2Portage Downtown, Bronson Methodist Hospital, Milwood Elementary, Milwood, Washington Elementary, Maple Ridge Apartments
3West Michigan Western Michigan University's main campus, The Arboretum, Cedar Trail Apartments, Village Apartments, Westland Meadows, Maple Hill Pavilion, West Main Mall
4Oakland Downtown, Michikal Street, Bureau of Services for Blind Persons West Michigan Regional Office/Training Center, Oakland Drive Oakwood, Parkview Avenue
5East Main Downtown, East Main Street, Eastwood Plaza
6Parchment Downtown, City of Parchment, Goodwill Industries, Parchment High School
7Alamo Downtown, Metro Transit offices, Alamo Avenue, Hillside Middle School
8Egleston Downtown, Wings Stadium, Milwood, Milwood Junior High, Covington Road
9Gull Downtown, Borgess Medical Center, Nazareth Center Complex, East Towne Mall, Meijer and Walmart on Gull Road
10Comstock Downtown, Mayor's Riverfront Park, Kalamazoo County Fairgrounds, Kalamazoo County Sheriff's Department, Kalamazoo County Jail, Comstock, Meijer on Gull Road.
11Stadium/KVCC Downtown, Western Michigan University, Stadium Drive, Kalamazoo Valley Community College – Oshtemo Township Campus
12Duke 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
13South Burdick Downtown Bronson Methodist Hospital, Family Independence Agency, MRC on Bank Street, Goodwill Industries, Milham Park, Loy Norrix High School, Meijer on Westnedge,
14West Main Downtown, Kalamazoo Central High School, Maple Hill Pavilion, Meijer on West Main
15Paterson Downtown, Metro Transit offices, Douglas Community Center, Interfaith Homes, Lincoln School, North Christian School, Northside Prep School
16Lovell Downtown, Kalamazoo City Hall, Oak and Lovell, Concord Place Apartments, 58 West, Western Michigan University's main campus
21Solon-Kendall – Lafayette Western Michigan University, Kendall Manor, Whitehall Apartments, and the Landing Apartments, Fraternity Village, Greenwood, and Knollwood Apartments
26West Centre Roeswood Complex, Anna's Vineyard, Milham Meadows, Oakwood, Crossroads Mall, Borgess at Woodbridge.
27East RomenceCrossroads Mall, Portage Central High School, Industrial Park, Portage City Hall, Walmart, and Meijer on Shaver.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dallas Area Rapid Transit</span> American transit agency

Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) is a transit agency serving the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex of Texas. It operates buses, light rail, commuter rail, and high-occupancy vehicle lanes in Dallas and twelve of its suburbs. In 2022, the system had a ridership of 42,499,600, or about 117,900 per weekday as of the first quarter of 2023.

The Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County is a major public transportation agency based in Houston, Texas, United States. It operates bus, light rail, bus rapid transit, HOV and HOT lanes, and paratransit service in the city as well as most of Harris County. It also operates bus service to two cities in Fort Bend County, and to Conroe in Montgomery County. The Metro headquarters are in the Lee P. Brown Administration Building in Downtown Houston. In 2022, the system had a ridership of 60,121,300, or about 211,400 per weekday as of the first quarter of 2023.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority</span> Public transport agency in Los Angeles County, California, United States

The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA), branded as Metro, is the county agency that plans, operates, and coordinates funding for most of the public transportation system in Los Angeles County, California, the most populated county in the United States. The agency directly operates a large transit system that includes bus, light rail, heavy rail (subway), and bus rapid transit services; and provides funding for transit it does not operate, including Metrolink commuter rail, municipal bus operators and paratransit services. Metro also provides funding and directs planning for railroad and highway projects within Los Angeles County. In 2022, the system had a total ridership of 255,250,500 and had a ridership of 812,300 per weekday as of the first quarter of 2023. It is the single largest transit agency within the county as well.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Los Angeles Metro Rail</span> Urban rail transit system

The Los Angeles Metro Rail is an urban rail transit system serving Los Angeles County, California in the United States. It consists of six lines, including four light rail lines, and two rapid transit lines serving 101 stations. It connects with the Metro Busway bus rapid transit system, the Metrolink commuter rail system, and several Amtrak lines. Metro Rail is owned and operated by the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro), starting service in 1990.

The Valley Metro Regional Public Transportation Authority, more popularly known as Valley Metro, is the unified public brand of the regional transit system for the Phoenix metropolitan area. Within the system, it is divided between Valley Metro Bus, which runs all bus operations, and Valley Metro Rail, which is responsible for light rail operations in the Valley. In 2022, the combined bus and rail system had a ridership of 33,944,600, or about 104,700 per weekday as of the first quarter of 2023.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Interurban Transit Partnership</span> Public transit system in Grand Rapids, Michigan, United States

The Interurban Transit Partnership, branded as The Rapid, is the public transit operator serving Grand Rapids, Michigan and its suburbs. In 2022, the system had a ridership of 5,106,600, or about 23,000 per weekday.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">CUE Bus</span>

CUE Bus (City-University-Energysaver) is a bus service operated by the City of Fairfax, Virginia, and is completely separate from the Fairfax Connector bus service run by Fairfax County. In 2022, the system had a ridership of 579,500, or about 2,700 per weekday as of the first quarter of 2023.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Embark (transit authority)</span> Public transit authority for the Oklahoma City metropolitan area

Embark is the public transit agency of the COTPA trust, the largest transit agency in the state of Oklahoma. Embark has 20 interconnecting bus routes covering the city of Oklahoma City and parts of the Oklahoma City Metropolitan Area, including weekday Express service from Norman Norman to Downtown Oklahoma City. Embark also operates paratransit, the Oklahoma City Streetcar, downtown public parking, bike share, and river ferry service. Additionally, Embark provides administrative and executive support for the Regional Transportation Authority of Central Oklahoma.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Detroit Department of Transportation</span> Public transportation agency in Detroit, Michigan

The Detroit Department of Transportation is the primary public transportation operator serving Detroit, Michigan. In existence since 1922, DDOT is a division of the city government, with headquarters in Midtown. Primarily serving Detroit and its enclaves, DDOT is supplemented by suburban service from the Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation (SMART). In 2022, the system had a ridership of 9,425,700, or about 30,700 per weekday as of the first quarter of 2023.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Capital Area Transportation Authority</span>

The Capital Area Transportation Authority (CATA) is the public transit operator serving the Lansing, Michigan area, including service on the campus of Michigan State University. In 2022, the system had a ridership of 5,874,100, or about 31,300 per weekday as of the first quarter of 2023.

The Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority, officially stylized as CapMetro, is a public transportation provider located in Austin, Texas. It operates bus, paratransit services and a commuter rail system known as the Capital MetroRail in Austin and several suburbs in Travis and Williamson counties. In 2022, the system had a ridership of 21,145,300, or about 75,900 per weekday as of the first quarter of 2023.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">LANta</span> Lantana

TheLehigh and Northampton Transportation Authority (LANTa) is a regional public transportation authority that provides public bus and rapid transit service throughout the Lehigh Valley region of eastern Pennsylvania, including Allentown, Bethlehem, Easton, and their respective suburbs. LANTa is the third-largest public transit agency in Pennsylvania, behind Pittsburgh Regional Transit and SEPTA, with an annual ridership of 3,392,200 as of fiscal year 2023.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kansas City Area Transportation Authority</span> Public transit agency in metropolitan Kansas City

The Kansas City Area Transportation Authority (KCATA) is a public transit agency in metropolitan Kansas City. It operates the Metro Area Express (MAX) bus rapid transit service in Kansas City, Missouri, and 78 local bus routes in seven counties of Missouri and Kansas. In 2022, the system had a ridership of 10,572,100, about 32,600 per weekday as of the first quarter of 2023.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Southwest Ohio Regional Transit Authority</span> Cincinnati, Ohio area public transit operator

The Southwest Ohio Regional Transit Authority (SORTA) is the public transport agency serving Cincinnati and its Ohio suburbs. SORTA operates Metro fixed-route buses, bus rapid transit, microtransit, and paratransit services. SORTA's headquarters are located at the Huntington Building in Cincinnati’s Central Business District. The agency is managed by CEO and General Manager Darryl Haley along with a 13-member board of trustees. In 2022, the system had a ridership of 9,664,000, or about 41,700 per weekday as of the first quarter of 2023.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Birmingham-Jefferson County Transit Authority</span> Birmingham, Fairfield, Homewood, Bessemer, Hoover, Mountain Brook, Vestavia Hills

Birmingham-Jefferson County Transit Authority (BJCTA) is the public transportation operator in the city of Birmingham, Alabama. Created in 1972 to take over transit operations from private operators, it operates 109 buses on 38 routes. It also operates paratransit and "vintage trolley" services. In 2022, the system had 1,856,500 rides, or about 4,700 per weekday as of the first quarter of 2023.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation</span>

The Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation (SMART) is the public transit operator serving the suburbs of Detroit, Michigan, United States. Beginning operations in 1967 as the Southeastern Michigan Transportation Authority (SEMTA), the agency was reorganized and renamed SMART in 1989. SMART operates 44 bus routes, plus paratransit and microtransit services.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Denton County Transportation Authority</span>

The Denton County Transportation Authority (DCTA) is the transit authority that operates in Denton County, Texas. It operates transit service in three cities within Denton County, as well as the A-train, a regional commuter rail line to Carrollton. In 2022, the system had a ridership of 2,124,700, or about 9,200 per weekday as of the first quarter of 2023.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Portage Area Regional Transportation Authority</span>

The Portage Area Regional Transportation Authority, commonly referred to as PARTA, is a transit agency serving Portage County, Ohio. It is headquartered in Franklin Township just outside the Kent city limits. PARTA was formed in 1975 from an agreement between the city of Kent and Franklin Township and has since expanded to include routes over much of Portage County. It operates several local routes including circulator and suburban routes in Kent, and an interurban route connecting Ravenna, Kent, and Stow. PARTA also offers express routes including services into downtown Cleveland, Akron as well as weekday service to the rural Portage County communities of Windham, Garrettsville and Hiram. In addition, PARTA includes Kent State University's Campus Bus Service, which it acquired in 2004, and a dial-a-ride service. A proposed plan to acquire Lorain County Transit to serve better bus service in Lorain County. In 2022, the system had a ridership of 633,800.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">South Bend Transpo</span> Municipal bus system serving South Bend, Indiana

The South Bend Public Transportation Corporation is a municipal bus system that serves the cities of South Bend and Mishawaka, as well as the nearby suburbs of Notre Dame and Roseland, in the very north of the U.S. state of Indiana. It is the most recent incarnation of the South Bend Railway Company, a street railway company that was founded on May 25, 1885. Transpo receives funding from local, state and federal taxes. In 2022, the system had a ridership of 1,145,500, or about 6,300 per weekday as of the first quarter of 2023.

Twin Cities Area Transportation Authority (TCATA) is an urban/rural transit provider that provides fixed-route and dial-a-ride bus transit service throughout the Benton Harbor, Michigan-Saint Joseph, Michigan area. It was established in 1974. It is funded through federal grants and state and local funds. and run by the elected Board of Trustees with consultation from the Local Advisory Council made up of residents within the service area.

References

  1. ↑ "Transit Ridership Report First Quarter 2023" (PDF). American Public Transportation Association. May 30, 2023. Retrieved July 5, 2023.
  2. ↑ "Transit Ridership Report Fourth Quarter 2022" (PDF). American Public Transportation Association. March 1, 2023. Retrieved March 29, 2023.
  3. ↑ Chourey, Sarita (March 30, 2008). "Public transit gears up to go countrywide". Kalamazoo Gazette . p. B1.
  4. ↑ Cedric Ricks (November 8, 2006). "Bus tax approved by narrow margin". Kalamazoo Gazette.
  5. ↑ "Busing | Western Michigan University".
  6. ↑ Marshall, Dana (May 12, 2020). "What You Need To Know As Kalamazoo Metro Resumes Limited Service". 103.3 WKFR. Retrieved 2021-05-27.
  7. ↑ Miller, Matt; Minegar, Andrew (2021-04-14). "Metro Transit to scale back bus services in Kalamazoo". WWMT. Retrieved 2021-05-27.
  8. ↑ "Meet Our Staff". Archived from the original on 2013-07-18.
  9. ↑ "Kalamazoo Transit Authority Board". Archived from the original on 2008-03-12.
  10. ↑ "Metro Transit Bus Routes". Archived from the original on 2008-12-26. Retrieved 2009-05-04.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.