Project Background
Originally built in 1993, the current YTC accomodates ten fixed routes that provide 16-18 hours of service every weekday. The current YTC has served the community well and has been well-maintained. At over 30 years old and around 2,000 sq. ft., the facility simply no longer meets the community’s needs nor TheRide’s rising service demands.
Timeline
- 2013 - Added the City of Ypsilanti as a member municipality
- 2014 to 2016 - Significant service expansion
- 2017 to 2018 - Passenger Terminal Needs Assessment complete
- 2019 to 2023 - Gathering funding, other elements of the project were on hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic
- 2022 - TheRide 2045 adopted, milage approved by voters to fund the first 5 years of service improvements
TheRide 2045 Connection to YTC
TheRide 2045
The Growing Need
As part of a broader initiative known as TheRide 2045, the proposed new transit center in Ypsilanti serves as a critical element to enhance service to its riders. At the time the original YTC was built, it met the needs of riders and staff. However, due to its age and size restrictions, the facility as it stands today. The most frequently heard comments from our customers and staff include:
Past and current engagement efforts have indicated that the current site location for the YTC meets the needs of the staff and riders. While the space itself needs to expand, the location on the block at Pearl and N Adams Streets offers easy access to riders and is centrally located within Ypsilanti.
Feedback to TheRide during YTC engagement activities and regular organization evaluations have shown an overall sense that the staff serving the YTC meets and exceeds expectations. Having the Information Specialists now on site has benefited riders, and route drivers maintain a strong reputation among riders.
With floor to ceiling windows, natural light is abundant at the current YTC. This has been a feature that is welcomed given the small footprint.
The security systems do not provide coverage to all bus bays and bike parking, and the facility lacks secure areas for equipment, security personnel, and additional information specialists that provide ticketing and trip planning assistance.
The facility is undersized today, and with ridership projected to increase due to future planned service expansion, crowding and pedestrian flows at the facility will only worsen. Additionally, TheRide drivers feel crowded in the bus slips, especially when encountering a deployed bike rack or snow accumulation. Staff accommodations and facility operations spaces at the current facility are also very limited and will grow increasingly tight as service expands.
The facility has inadequate separation between pedestrians, passenger cars and trucks, and buses. Sightline issues, particularly seeing the bus bays, routes, and parking lot from the facility, as well as sightlines within the facility, have caused frustration and safety risks.
A severe lack of amenities for both passengers and drivers include few outdoor sheltered areas near the buses, no real-time information, and insufficient indoor seating. The facility also has too few public and driver bathrooms.
Based on recommendations in TheRide 2045, service will increase in Ypsilanti, and TheRide will need more than six bus bays to accommodate future service, including articulated bus (a bus with two or more sections linked by a flexible middle) bays for planned high-capacity transit service between Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti, such as bus rapid transit. Bus rapid transit offers cost-efficient, faster transit service through partial or fully dedicated lanes, off-board fare payment, level boarding locations, and transit priority features.
Proposed Concepts
The following concepts have been created during this early stage to support the solicitation of feedback from the public. The public is asked to provide feedback around the concepts considering factors such as building location, safety and comfort, traffic flow and ease of access to buses. Please avoid statements that list preferences for or against concepts. Feedback will be shared with the YTC Planning Team to further refine and develop final concepts for consideration later in the project.
Current Site
Click to enlarge
The Ypsilanti Transit Center (YTC) was constructed in 1993 at 220 Pearl St. between N. Adams St. and N. Washington St. in downtown Ypsilanti.
The current site includes:
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An enclosed facility of approximately 2,000 square feet in total.
- Driver's break room
- Private driver bathroom
- Security office
- Customer service desk
- Mechanical/IT room
- Waiting area
- Public bathrooms
- Canopy area
Staff Areas
Public Areas
- Six free-flow sawtooth bus bays along Pearl St.
- A platform area with benches, bike racks, trash receptacles, and route signage.
- Lay-by buses and shuttles also use on-street spaces on N. Washington Street.
Proposed Concepts
All concepts include the following characteristics:
- Approximately 3x larger transit facility.
- Safe and efficient bus operation.
- Accommodate future growth.
- Modern amenities.
- Improved accommodations for all.
Concept A
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Characteristics
- Located mid-block and reduced parking lot.
- Existing adjacent buildings remain.
- 10 bus bays on the platform (near the transit center).
- Additional on-street bus parking away from YTC needed.
- Narrow platform space.
- Minimal disruption to current bus operations during construction staging.
- Future development potential along Pearl St.
Concept B
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Characteristics
- Located on Pearl St.
- Removal of two east buildings and YTC.
- 11 bus bays on the platform.
- Wider platform space.
- Operations impacted during construction staging.
Concept C
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Characteristics
- Located mid-block and reduced parking lot.
- Removal of one east building.
- 11 bus bays on the platform.
- Minimal disruption to current bus operations during construction staging.
- Future development potential along Pearl St.
Next Steps & Contact Us
Thank you for taking time to learn more about the Ypsilanti Transit Center proposed project and providing your feedback. Your feedback will be shared with the planning team to further refine and develop final concepts in fall 2024.
Limited English Assistance
Contact Us
- Visit Our Website
-
Call
734-794-1882
M-F 8am-5pm -
Email
YTCinfo@theride.org -
Write
Ann Arbor Area Transportation Authority
ATTN: YTC Open House Feedback
2700 S. Industrial Highway
Ann Arbor, MI 48104
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