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Title: Michigan Flyer and Ann Arbor Transportation Authority Partner to Provide 12 Daily Detroit Metro Airport Trips

Updated date: Tuesday, February 21, 2012 - 13:01

Name: indiantrails

Body:

Through a public-private partnership with the Ann Arbor Transportation Authority (“TheRide”), Michigan Flyer will operate a new public transportation service―named AirRide―with 12 daily roundtrips between Ann Arbor and Detroit Metropolitan Airport beginning April 2, 2012.

“Residents told us they needed a convenient, affordable and reliable way to get to the airport,” said TheRide CEO Michael Ford. “Partnering with Michigan Flyer to operate AirRide will help us fill that need.”

In approving the partnership with Michigan Flyer, TheRide’s board noted that “federal regulations require the participation of private transportation companies to the maximum extent feasible in the provision of public transportation,” and that “the most qualified proposal for this service was submitted by a private corporation known as Indian Trails, Inc., doing business as Michigan Flyer.”

TheRide is contracting with Indian Trails and Michigan Flyer to provide the AirRide public transit service between Ann Arbor and DTW.

Ann Arbor’s New AirRide Service

With two local stops―at Ann Arbor’s Blake Transportation Center (BTC) and the Kensington Court Hotel at Briarwood Mall―AirRide will provide near-hourly airport shuttle service between early morning and late evening, seven days a week.

“We’re proud to partner with TheRide to improve public transportation for Ann Arbor,” said Gordon Mackay, president of Indian Trails, the parent company of Michigan Flyer. “This will also improve regional transportation options by connecting the Ann Arbor transit system with the SMART bus system for Wayne, Oakland, and Macomb counties at the airport.”

The introductory rate of $10 per one-way trip, and regular rate of $12 for an adult with a reservation, will save money for travelers. Michigan Flyer’s current regular one-way fare is $15 between Ann Arbor and Detroit for an adult with a reservation. Discounts for seniors, people with disabilities, and children will also be offered.

Parking will be available in the parking structure at Fourth Avenue and William near the BTC for just $2 per trip with a two-week maximum stay, and at the Kensington Court Hotel for $2 a day.

Michigan Flyer will begin taking reservations for the AirRide service on Feb. 20, 2012, both online at www.michiganflyer.com and by phone at 517-333-0400.

Jackson Service to be Suspended

To achieve TheRide’s goal of near-hourly service between Ann Arbor and Detroit Metro, Michigan Flyer will implement a new route from East Lansing southeast on I-96 to U.S. 23, then south to Ann Arbor, and from there to Detroit Metro Airport via I-94.

After all scheduled runs on April 1, Michigan Flyer will suspend its current route from East Lansing south to Jackson on U.S. 127, then east to Ann Arbor and Detroit Metro on I-94.

“We sincerely hope this is only temporary,” Mackay said. “We have many loyal passengers in the Jackson area, and we’re very sorry to disappoint any of them, but the volume just hasn’t been sufficient to support the current route.”

“We’re working hard to find a way to reinstate the service through Jackson, hopefully yet this year,” Mackay continued. “Our public-private partnership with the Ann Arbor Transportation Authority may serve as a model for increasing ridership and restoring service.”

East Lansing Service Improved

While Ann Arbor residents will soon have 12 near-hourly roundtrips per day to and from Detroit Metro, Michigan Flyer will continue the current eight roundtrips from its East Lansing headquarters.

“With increased ridership, we are hoping to someday provide residents of the Greater Lansing area with the 12 near-hourly roundtrips they’ve wanted for so long.” said MacKay.

Meanwhile, for people in the Greater Lansing region, the immediate benefit of the new route is that it will―for the first time ever―provide non-stop Michigan Flyer service between East Lansing and Ann Arbor.

“Non-stop service between East Lansing and Ann Arbor eight times a day should be a major convenience for students, faculty and staff traveling between the universities,” noted MacKay.

Title: Comments by Governor Rick Snyder

Updated date: Thursday, February 9, 2012 - 12:21

Name: indiantrails

Body:

“A great story of a Michigan business investing in infrastructure and technology to better the environment, while helping to move Michigan forward.”

― Gov. Rick Snyder on Facebook, Feb. 2, 2012.

Thank you, Governor, for highlighting our investment in eco-friendly motorcoaches.

Title: MICHIGAN FLYER ADDS 8TH DAILY TRIP TO DETROIT AIRPORT STARTING OCT. 3

Updated date: Wednesday, January 18, 2012 - 15:36

Name: indiantrails

Body:

EAST LANSING, Mich.--On Oct. 3, 2011, Michigan Flyer―the airport and inter-city motor coach service of Indian Trails, Inc.―will begin making eight daily trips between East Lansing, Jackson, Ann Arbor and Detroit Metropolitan Airport.
On a summer schedule that began last May, the luxury motor coaches of Michigan Flyer have been making seven runs to and from Detroit Metro every day of the week.
“With more frequent trips, and shorter waiting times between them, we can provide more seamless connections for mid-Michigan air travelers and commuters,” said Ody Norkin, vice president of Michigan Flyer. “After a thorough study of airline arrival and departure times, we’ve tailored our schedule to best serve the great majority of airline passengers whose flights leave or return between 7 a.m. and 9 p.m.”

“The extra daily trip also means that our last daily East Lansing departure will be at 4:05 p.m. instead of 3:20 p.m.,” Norkin said. “That’s important to air travelers, as well as to people who commute between East Lansing and Ann Arbor, such as students and faculty of Michigan State University and the University of Michigan.”

Fares Stay Low & “Kids Ride Free” Extended

Round-trip fares for Detroit Metro will remain the same―$50 from East Lansing, $45 from Jackson, $30 from Ann Arbor―for one passenger purchasing a ticket in advance online. Discounts are available for two or more passengers traveling together. One-way tickets from East Lansing or Jackson to Ann Arbor will also be unchanged at $15, if purchased in advance online. Parking is available for $2 a day at all three locations.

“To encourage families to experience the comfort and convenience of Michigan Flyer, we’re extending our ‘Kids Ride Free’ promotion through the holiday season for the first time ever,” Norkin noted. It applies to as many as three children under 17 when accompanied by a parent, subject to some restrictions.

Reservations can be made online 24/7 at www.michiganflyer.com, or by calling 517-333-0400 until 8:00pm.

New Schedule Details

As of Oct. 3, Michigan Flyer’s eastbound departures from the University Place Marriott in East Lansing will be at 3:30 a.m., 5 a.m., 6:30 a.m., 8:15 a.m., 10:15 a.m., 12 noon, 2 p.m., and 4:05 p.m. Eastbound departures from Jackson’s Baymont Inn and Suites will be at 4:10 a.m., 5:40 a.m., 7:10 a.m., 8:55 a.m., 10:55 a.m., 12:40 p.m., 2:40 p.m., and 4:45 p.m. Eastbound departures from the Sheraton Ann Arbor Hotel will be at 4:55 a.m., 6:30 a.m., 8:00 a.m., 9:45 a.m., 11:45 a.m., 1:30 p.m., 3:30 p.m., and 5:35 p.m.

Drop-offs at Detroit Metro’s McNamara Terminal will be at 5:35 a.m., 7 a.m., 8:30 a.m., 10:15 a.m., 12:15 p.m., 2 p.m., 4 p.m., and 6:05 p.m.

Drop-offs at DTW’s North Terminal will be at 5:25 a.m., 7:10 a.m., 8:40 a.m., 10:25 a.m., 12:25 p.m., 2:10 p.m., 4:10 p.m., and 6:15 p.m.

The earliest of Michigan Flyer’s eight westbound trips from the Detroit airport is at 7:00 a.m. from the McNamara terminal. The last westbound run of the day is from the same terminal at 9:45 p.m.

Visit the Michigan Flyer website at www.michiganflyer.com for more details.

# # # # #
Michigan Flyer—whose motto is “Why Drive?”—offers affordable, luxury motor coach connections between Lansing, Jackson, Ann Arbor, and Detroit Metro Airport. Jointly owned by Indian Trails and Okemos Travel, Michigan Flyer has carried nearly 400,000 passengers since its launch in 2006—and has achieved an extraordinary 99 percent rate of on-time arrivals and departures.
# # # # #
News media contact:
Mark Holoweiko or Anne Harcus
Stony Point Communications
517-339-0123 or 800-672-0123

Title: All five intercity bus routes show ridership growth in Michigan

Updated date: Friday, November 18, 2011 - 16:33

Name: indiantrails

Body:

FAST FACTS:

- Intercity bus routes in Michigan have experienced significant ridership growth in the last fiscal year, and collected $1.8 million in ticket revenue.

- Indian Trails provides service for all five intercity bus routes.

- Passenger revenues accounted for 50 percent of the operating expenses in FY 2011, making intercity bus service the most efficient form of public transportation in Michigan.

November 17, 2011 -- Intercity bus routes in Michigan have experienced significant ridership growth for the fiscal year that ended Sept. 30, and collected $1.8 million in ticket revenue.

In figures for the 2010-2011 fiscal year, the Straits service between East Lansing and St. Ignace saw an impressive 27 percent increase with 17,166 passengers using the intercity bus service in FY 2011. Ticket revenue was up by 35.7 percent to $415,263.

The Huron service between Bay City and St. Ignace experienced an increase of 7,691 passengers, an increase of 17.1 percent from the same period a year ago. Ticket revenue was up by 22.8 percent to $202,868.

Due to a route change, ridership along the Sleeping Bear route between Grand Rapids and Boyne Falls experienced a loss of 9.9 percent with 16,283 passengers, while ticket revenue remained constant with FY 2010 levels at $343,269.

Upper Peninsula bus routes also experienced ridership growth at a similar rate.

The Superior route between Hancock and Milwaukee, Wis., saw an impressive 20.6 percent increase in ridership along with a 20.6 increase in ticket revenue of $622,475.

The Hiawatha route between St. Ignace and Ironwood saw a 2.6 percent increase in ridership, while ticket revenue was up 16 percent to $220,863.

Indian Trails provides service for all five intercity bus routes under a contract with the Michigan Department of Transportation. Passenger revenues accounted for 50 percent of the operating expenses in FY 2011, making intercity bus service the most efficient form of public transportation in Michigan.

CONTACT: Janet Foran, MDOT Office of Communications, 517-335-7176

foranj@michigan.gov