My City May 2023

MYCOMMUNITY

first 50 years: MTA Celebrates 50 YEARS Then … Now … The Future Vision BY CHERYL DENNISON

FORMED IN 1971, the Flint Mass Transportation Authority (MTA) has celebrated 50 years! According to MTA General Man ager Edgar Benning, a formal celebra tion planned for 2021 was postponed due to the pandemic. The long-awaited 50th Anniversary Gala will take place on May 20 in Downtown Flint at the Riverfront Conference Center to rec ognize the achievements of one of the nation’s top public transportation fleets. Here are some highlights of the MTA’s

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1971 After Flint City Coach shut down in 1970, city leaders developed a transportation plan and formed the MTA, which operated out of a bus garage at Saginaw and 12th Streets. Service to the City of Flint started with a fleet of 26 buses running hourly on 12 routes. 1976 The North Dort Highway facility was constructed. According to Benning, the 17-acre site was developed to include a headquarters for administration and operations. It is also an Amtrak center. “You could take a train or ride the bus from that terminal,” Benning says.

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