My City May 2023

“Public transportation is the fabric of the quality of life, so much more than people ever anticipated.” ED BENNING The Future According to Benning, exciting things are in the works for the future of the MTA. They are working to develop a new regional service for Lapeer, Genesee and Shiawassee Counties which will provide seamless transportation to users without the need for transfers. Currently, Benning is anticipating develop ment of a “Bus on the Shoulder” program. This would allow buses to operate on the shoulder of the I-69 expressway during traffic backups. “MTA Buses would have the exclusive right to use the shoulder,” Benning states. MTA is also preparing to launch a new card payment system, so that riders won’t have to carry cash. In addition, MTA hopes to attract a future workforce with educational opportunities available for those as young as eighth-grade students. The General Manager is proud to have seen how MTA has grown and evolved over the years. “Over the past half-century, the MTA has transformed into a world-class transportation service considered by many as a model for the country,” Benning states. “Since the pandemic, our entire world has changed and we at the MTA are quickly adapting to better address the needs of the public today and into the future. We would like to thank community members for their great support over the years and we are committed to exceeding their expectations in the days ahead.” ◆

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