Thriving Communities
Over the weekend I explored another BATA route and how it also makes a connection with a TART trail. ...
There’s little doubt among lawmakers that Michigan must come up with new ways to pay for maintaining its broad transportation network. What’s unclear, however, is whether or not the new money would be invested in repairing our crumbling roads, or on building new and wider highways....
Even on “The Jetsons,” hapless George would still get stuck in traffic jams on the way to work. Instead, says the Michigan Land Use Institute, what we need is a new vision for the future of commuting. MLUI wants to begin with a program called Local Motion, a community effort with local businesses, and a new website.
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James Bruckbauer gave an overview of the new Bike-n-Ride program when it debuted on July 1, and now I’m here to share my personal experience....
Everyone in the MLUI office is deeply saddened and frustrated by the violent hit-and-run that occurred in Traverse City last week that resulted in the death of a 29-year-old woman. The Traverse City resident was biking to her neighborhood home near F&M Park when she was struck by a large vehicle and dragged for more than a block....
Northern Michigan’s robust trail network brings with it one challenge: So many bikes, but not enough space on the bus when you need a lift....
One of the benefits you’re offered on your first day as a Google employee in downtown Ann Arbor is a financial incentive to leave your car at home. Mary Sell told the audience at the Getting Transportation to Work Commuter Summit in Traverse City earlier this month that the company offers one of the best commuter incentive packages in the city....
Just outside of Traverse City you can find so many wonderful areas to explore. I don’t think that I need to remind anyone that this corner of Michigan is full of unique towns, open farmland, and beautiful wilderness areas....
If you missed the Getting Transportation to Work Commuter Summit, you missed the best transportation event of the year....
I successfully made it out to Suttons Bay this past weekend, and I have some good news and some bad....
Smart Commute Week got a lot of people thinking about the ups and downs of transportation in Traverse City. ...
The Michigan Land Use Institute and several environmental groups are on record supporting the replacement of Cass Road Bridge as an integral crossing for businesses, residents and local schools. MLUI continues to oppose the Hartman-Hammond project as too environmentally damaging, more expensive than other viable and publicly supported alternatives, and contrary to findings of the comprehensive Grand Vision Land Use and Transportation Study....
In the late 1990s, Stanford University found a way to trim the mounting costs of providing a high quality education: Pay university staff to leave their cars parked at home. Locally, Northwestern Michigan College recently unveiled a new master plan, which calls for an additional 244 parking spaces to accommodate an expanding technical education program and double the amount of student housing. Are there any lessons local college officials can learn from the California university?...
Back in 2009, some of the bumpers on BATA buses in Traverse City were held together with duct tape. Today, the 75-strong BATA bus fleet is taking more commuters than ever before to and from their jobs. They did this by adding routes and providing services that "fit residents' lifestyles," according to BATA's business development director. This caught the attention of Jeffrey Tumlin: It is fortunate "you have a transit operator that really gets it."...
I celebrated Smart Commute Week by riding my bike to work every day this week—except on Tuesday when I kayaked to work with my colleague Jim Sluyter. But for me, Smart Commuting didn't end on Friday. ...
Tumlin said building up rural highways encourages people to leave "walkable cities" and gives people no option but to continue driving from one parking lot to another, creating hazardous conditions on roads that were built to accommodate rural traffic....
Traverse City will welcome two special guests for next Tuesday’s Getting Transportation to Work Commuter Summit. Mary Sell is the Commuter Services Specialist for GetDowntown Ann Arbor, and Jeff Tumlin is a national transportation expert and parking guru. ...
It's time for bikes and buses 'cause the weather's gettin' warmer. The 19th Annual Smart Commute Week is just around the corner! ...
Earlier this year, we asked about 1,500 Traverse City-area employees why they commute the way they do, and what would encourage them to use the bus, bike, or walk to work. The results were clear: While many are interested in more transportation options like transit, biking, and walking, many felt that those options aren’t available, and if they are, they aren’t convenient....
We're uncovering a wealth of facts and figure's in a new brochure about our transportation habits. Stay tuned. We'll release the new brochure next month....
