What public transportation agency provides the largest full service work-related commuter system in the state of Michigan? The Mass Transportation Authority.
Since 1997, Flint’s Mass Transportation Authority has taken an aggressive approach to the changing needs to supply workers with transportation to jobs in other communities as far away as Troy, Saginaw, Lapeer, Brighton, Howell, Ann Arbor and Shiawassee County.
Last year the MTA provided more than 2.2 million rides for work related transportation allowing individuals to access their jobs throughout Genesee County and the six adjoining counties.
Current indications suggest that this number will grow exponentially over the next several years and will exceed 4 million annual trips in the near future.
The Flint and Genesee County community will continue to look for expanded work related transportation service as new economic development takes place. This development will offer a wide variety of employment opportunity well beyond the county line, stretching along I-69, the I-75 corridor and US-23.
The MTA stands out as one of the county’s prime resources for connecting its citizens to new opportunities enabling them to provide a living for their families back here at home. These Genesee County citizens might work outside the county, but they continue to bring income back home increasing the strength of our local economy and increasing the standard of living in the area.
The MTA’s goal is to continue providing essential transportation services to connect individuals with opportunities to improve their lives and to grow our community’s economy.
The Mass Transportation Authority (MTA) has commissioned a study of the I-75 corridor from Bay City to Detroit utilizing State and Federal planning monies to determine the feasibility of providing public transportation services to meet the needs of today and into the future. In many parts of the United States, low cost bus service is operated on the shoulder of the freeways and or in a commuter HOV lane. The study once completed will provide recommendations on the best alternative to address the growing number of commuters traveling the freeways to access jobs in other communities.
Other studies will be undertaken to look at the I-69 and US-23 corridors. These studies once completed will provide additional recommendations to prepare us for the possibility of a large transportation hub that integrates I-75, I-69 and the US-23 corridor.
The Flint Mass Transportation Authority is extremely proud of the position that it is taking on being the leader to pioneer these opportunities and services that will lead us into the future and continue to grow our economies and opportunities for the many residents of our community.