On Monday, June 25 the Bay Area Transportation Authority launched its new Bayline route as well implementing several route improvements to its city and village Loop system. A special ribbon cutting is being held at 9 a.m. on June 25 at BATA’s Hall Street Transfer Station to officially launch the Bayline and recognize all the community members and organizations that made this the region’s first community-supported transportation option.
Bayline details:
• Launching Monday, June 25, 2018
• Free to ride thanks to sponsorship support (see below)
• Service from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. seven days a week
• Buses every 15 minutes
• Route travels between Meijer (US-31) and the East Bay Beach District with multiple stops in between including the Village at Grand Traverse Commons. Munson Medical Center, Downtown Traverse City, Northwestern Michigan College, Tom’s East Bay and Woodland Creek Furniture
BATA is able to make the Bayline free of charge to riders due to the generous financial support of multiple community groups and organizations. Those organizations include Munson Healthcare, Traverse City Parking Services / City of Traverse City, Traverse City Tourism, the National Cherry Festival, Traverse City Film Festival, the Downtown Development Authority, the Downtown Traverse City Association and the East Bay Beach District. BATA will continue its fundraising efforts to provide free transportation on the Bayline.
“BATA is very excited to launch the Bayline as another transportation solution for our region, and we’re so thankful for the overwhelming support we’ve received from the community for the creation of this new service,” said BATA Executive Director Kelly Dunham. “We’re especially grateful to our Bayline sponsors that recognize the importance of public transportation and allow us to offer the Bayline fare-free to riders so they can easily ride.”
In addition to the launch of the Bayline, BATA is making several route improvements to its City and Village Loop fixed route services. The Bayline allows BATA to expand coverage in Traverse City and Grand Traverse and Leelanau Counties, increase frequency on some of its routes, streamline bus route paths to more closely match driving patterns and offer service later into the evening.
