By Zholdas Orisbayev
Federal funding helped Michigan transit agencies stay in good shape throughout the pandemic. It’s the fiscal year that starts Oct. 1, 2021, that transportation authorities worry about.
“COVID-19 related expenses were unprecedented and statewide restrictions reduced farebox revenue to transit agencies, but that was made up by additional federal funding,” said Clark Harder, the executive director of the Michigan Public Transit Association, a nonprofit group that advocates for transit agencies on issues dealing with state and federal government.
Other concerns include a decline in fare revenues as potential riders fear contracting the virus and the loss of revenue from schools no longer contracting services because of the rise in virtual learning.
9 & 10 News
December 15, 2020
Neighborhoods and assisted living homes in Grand Traverse and Leelanau County got to see a parade of lights this evening.
The Bay Area Transportation Authority partnered with Traverse City Light & Power and Cherryland Electric Cooperative to create a Traveling Light Parade.
Each organization decorated a vehicle with holiday lights, then went around the community to spread holiday cheer.
Eric Lingaur, communications & development director at BATA, says, “It’s about bringing light to the community, bringing some smiles to faces; having the ability to have mobile lights come to people instead of them having to risk the health and safety out in the community. We’ll bring the lights to them.”