Alma Transit gearing up for larger service area
Voters in Ithaca, St. Louis and Pine River Township overwhelmingly approved a millage in the November general election that will provide public transportation in all three municipalities.
However, they will have to wait several months before reaping the full benefits.
The five-year, 0.98-mill levy to fund the St.louisIthacaPineRiver Transit Authority was approved by a combined 2,613 to 1,648 vote margin.
The millage passed in St. Louis, 1,016 votes to 597; in Ithaca, 871 to 516; and in Pine River Township, 726 to 535.
Alma Transit is continuing to provide Dial-a-ride bus service to St. Louis and a small portion of Pine River Township that it was previously doing contractually for both communities.
But full service won’t begin until Oct. 1, 2021, according to Alma Transportation Director Brett Baublitz he new authority will contract with Alma Transit to provide bus service for residents in the three municipalities.
“We are still in discussion with SLIPR in creating a contract with the city of Alma,” he said. “I don’t have a definitive answer (regarding how the new system will operate).”
The millage will raise about $240,000 annually, $117,000 a year in Pine River Township, $72,000 in Ithaca and $51,000 in St. Louis.
It will cost the owner of a $100,000 home, with a taxable value of $50,000, an additional $48 a year in property taxes.
Providing the expanded service will result in the creation of at least eight more jobs at the Transit Center.
Currently the center has 21 employees.
“We have two full-time dispatchers, a full- time mechanic, four full-time drivers, 13 part-time drivers and a full-time director,” Baublitz said. “We plan on adding a full-time accountant, a full-time mechanic, who will also drive if needed, and six part-time drivers.”
The center presently operates 18 buses and vans.
“We might have to add another bus but we will wait and see before we make that purchase,” Baublitz said.
Once full service begins in October the center will offer expanded hours, he added.
Buses now run Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. in Alma, and 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. in St. Louis and Pine River Township.
The new hours will be from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. in all four communities receiving the service.
Fares will also be the same for everyone, Baublitz said.
A ride will cost $2 for adults, and $1 for students and senior citizens. Those age 75 and older ride for free.