- Metro Transit (Kalamazoo)
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Metro Transit 
Founded 1967 Headquarters 530 N. Rose Street Locale Kalamazoo, MI Service type bus service, paratransit Routes 21 Stations Kalamazoo Transportation Center Web site Metro Transit Kalamazoo Metro Transit is a public transport service that operates 23 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 Metro County Connect Access service is available for riders with disabilities who cannot board regular buses.
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.
Metro Transit is governed by a Board of Directors. The seven members are appointed by the Kalamazoo City Commission to terms of three years. Members must be residents of the city of Kalamazoo.
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.[1]
In 2006, voters approved a millage to permit Metro Transit to retain night and Saturday service and add two routes in Portage.[2] 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.
Routes
The Kalamazoo Transportation Center serves as the primary transfer hub for Kalamazoo Metro Transit bus routes
No. Name Service points[3] 1 Westnedge Downtown, Meijer on Westnedge, Crossroads Mall 2 Portage Downtown, Bronson Methodist Hospital, Milwood Elementary, Milwood, Washington Elementary, Maple Ridge Apartments 3 West Michigan Western Michigan University's main campus, The Arboretum, The Point, Village Apartments, Westland Meadows, Maple Hill Mall, West Main Mall 4 Oakland Downtown, Michikal Street, Oakland Drive, Oakwood, Parkview Avenue 5 East Main Downtown, East Main Street, Eastwood Plaza 6 Parchment Downtown, City of Parchment, Goodwill Industries, Parchment High School 7 Alamo Downtown, Metro Transit offices, Alamo Avenue, Hillside Middle School 8 Egleston Downtown, Wings Stadium, Milwood, Milwood Junior High, Covinton Road 9 Gull Downtown, Borgess Medical Center, Nazareth Center Complex, East Towne Mall, Meijer and Walmart on Gull Road 10 Comstock Downtown, Mayor's Riverfront Park, Kalamazoo County Fairgrounds, Kalamazoo County Sheriff's Department, Kalamazoo County Jail, Comstock, Meijer on Gull Road. 11 Stadium/KVCC Downtown, Western Michigan University, Stadium Drive, Kalamazoo Valley Community College - Oshtemo Township Campus 12 Bronson 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 13 South Burdick Downtown Bronson Methodist Hospital, Family Independence Agency, MRC on Bank Street, Goodwill Industries, Milham Park, Loy Norrix High School, Meijer on Westnedge, 14 West Main Downtown, Kalamazoo Central High School, Maple Hill Mall, Meijer on West Main 15 Paterson Downtown, Metro Transit offices, Douglas Community Center, Interfaith Homes, Lincoln School, North Christian School, Northside Prep School 16 Lovell Downtown, Kalamazoo City Hall, Oak and Lovell, Western Michigan University's main campus 21 Solon-Kendall Western Michigan University service to Solon Street and West Main Street 22 Lafayette Western Michigan University service to apartments 26 Centre West Portage City Hall, Borgess at Woodbridge Hills, Anna's Vineyard, Milham Meadows, Oakwood, Crossroads Mall 27 Centre East Portage City Hall, Centre Avenue, Sprinkle Road, Portage Industrial Park 28 Shaver The Crossings, Shaver Road, Portage Central High School, Portage City Hall. References
- ^ Chourey, Sarita (March 30, 2008). "Public transit gears up to go countrywide". Kalamazoo Gazette: p. B1.
- ^ Cedric Ricks (November 8, 2006). "Bus tax approved by narrow margin". Kalamazoo Gazette.
- ^ Metro Transit Bus Routes
External links
Categories:- Bus transportation in Michigan
- Kalamazoo, Michigan
- Transportation in Kalamazoo County, Michigan
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