Michigan Public Transit Association

08/28/2026

Please join us in welcoming three new MPTA members!

MV Transportation, Inc. brings nearly 50 years of experience in transit operations, scheduling, dispatch, maintenance, and mobility services.

Michigan Shuttle, Inc., a Michigan-based transportation provider, offers contracted shuttle operations, workforce transportation, ADA-accessible services, and customized mobility solutions while seeking partnerships with transit agencies across the state.

Michigan Counties Workers' Compensation Fund (MCWCF) joins MPTA as a self-funded workers' compensation group serving organizations throughout Michigan.

We're excited to expand our network of organizations supporting mobility, safety, workforce development, and transportation services across Michigan. Please help us welcome these new members to the MPTA community!

08/27/2026

🏆 Congratulations to the 2026 Michigan Transit Impact Awards Winners! 🏆

At this year's Michigan Public Transportation Conference, we had the privilege of recognizing individuals and organizations whose leadership, innovation, and dedication are helping move public transportation forward across our state. Congratulations to our 2026 award recipients!

🌟 Transit Rising Star Awards
• Hunter Causie (JATA - Jackson Area Transportation Authority ) for his work advancing fleet modernization, grant funding, customer communications, and community outreach in Jackson County.
• Jeff Pfeifer (TheRide) for transforming community engagement and leading an award-winning ridership campaign recognized nationally by APTA.
• Paige Eiseman (ALTRAN-Alger County Transit Authority) for her journey from bus operator to Operations Manager and her leadership in improving operations, training, and outreach.

💡 Innovative Transit Project Awards
• The Rapid Early Childhood Center, a first-of-its-kind childcare and transit access facility serving working families in Grand Rapids.
• Michigan Department of Transportation Transit Technology Guidebook, developed through a partnership between MDOT and CRAFT to help transit agencies modernize technology and improve service.

📣 Outstanding Communications Project Awards
• Saginaw Transit Authority Regional Services - STARS Route Branding Initiative for creating neighborhood-inspired route identities that improve rider understanding and community connection.
• TheRide Blake Transit Center Communications for successfully guiding riders through a major transit center relocation during construction.
• WOTA - Western Oakland Transportation Authority Driver & Rider Testimonial Campaign for sharing authentic stories that brought its "Transit with Heart" mission to life.
• smartmovesus Wayne County Ballot Initiative Communications Campaign for helping residents better understand the value of public transportation through strategic outreach and engagement.

🤝 Friend of Michigan Transit Award
• Assad Turfe, Deputy County Executive, Wayne County, Michigan, recognized for his leadership and advocacy in strengthening regional mobility and public transportation throughout Southeast Michigan.

Thank you to all of this year's nominees, and congratulations again to our winners for the incredible impact you're making in communities across Michigan! 🚍👏

08/25/2026

Congratulations to two outstanding Michigan transportation leaders on being named to Mass Transit Magazine's 40 Under 40! 🎉

The Michigan Public Transit Association is proud to celebrate Whitney Ehresman of Allegan County Transportation and Julia Roberts of WoMobility for this well-deserved recognition.

Both Whitney and Julia have been valued partners within Michigan's transportation community, bringing energy, innovation, and a commitment to improving mobility for the people and communities they serve. Whitney also recently joined the MPTA Board of Directors, while Julia continues to advance creative transportation solutions through her work with WoMobility.

We have appreciated the opportunity to work alongside both of these emerging leaders and are excited to see their contributions recognized on a national stage.

Please join us in congratulating Whitney and Julia on this outstanding achievement!

https://www.masstransitmag.com/40-under-40

08/21/2026

📸 We had an incredible week for our 2026 Michigan Public Transportation Conference!

These photo highlights capture just a few of the memorable moments from the week, including our golf outing, receptions and dinners, keynote presentations, breakout sessions, exhibitor show, awards luncheon, and the countless conversations that make this event so valuable each year.

Beyond learning and networking, attendees explored new ideas, strengthened existing relationships, and began building new partnerships that will help advance public transportation across Michigan in the years ahead.

Thank you to everyone who attended, presented, exhibited, sponsored, volunteered, and helped make this year's conference such a success. We can't wait to see where these connections and collaborations lead next. 🚍

08/20/2026

We extend our sympathies to the family and friends of James (Jim) F. Dunn, who was one of the Michigan Public Transit Association's founders and served as its executive director for the organization's first 20 years.

Jim was a decorated Vietnam veteran who returned to serve his state and community through the practice of law and policy, including public transit. He finished his career as deputy director of the Michigan Veteran's Affairs Agency, where he helped to uphold the care for fellow veterans in our state.

A visition will be held on Monday, August 24, with a funeral mass on Tuesday, August 25. Burial with full military honors will take place at a later date at Arlington National Cemetery.

* Obituary notice:
https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/east-lansing-mi/james-dunn-13008370
* 2015 Lansing State Journal article about his life: https://www.lansingstatejournal.com/story/opinion/columnists/judy-putnam/2015/09/26/putnam-veteran/72824208/

08/10/2026

We had a great morning riding West Michigan buses with Pat Outman - State Representative with City of Greenville-Transit and City of Belding Dial-A-Ride Transportation.
Rep. Outman chairs the House Transportation & Infrastructure Commitee, and we appreciate the time to experience and discuss local transit in your communities!

08/07/2026

We're just 10 days away from the 2026 Michigan Public Transportation Conference!

A huge thank you to our sponsors and exhibitors for their support. Thanks to your partnership, we're excited to welcome a record number of sponsors and exhibitors this year, creating more opportunities than ever for learning, networking, and collaboration.

We appreciate your commitment to Michigan public transportation and look forward to seeing everyone soon! 🚍🎉

08/05/2026

🚌 Michigan Voters Deliver Strong Support for Public Transportation!

Yesterday's election was a great day for public transit across Michigan.

All 19 transit-related millage questions on the ballot were approved by voters. The results included a mix of new or expanded millages, increases, renewals, and Headlee restorations, showing strong support for local transit services in communities across the state.

Major Highlights:

✅ smartmovesus (Wayne County) passed a new countywide transit millage with approximately 68% support, creating a dedicated countywide funding source for transit in Michigan's largest county.

✅ DATA - Delta Area Transit Authority (Delta County) passed a new countywide 0.689 mill levy with 65% support, providing long-term funding for countywide service.

✅ Ogemaw County Public Transit passed a new/increased 0.47 mill levy with 54% support, restoring dedicated transit funding after a prior transit millage had lapsed.

✅ ALTRAN-Alger County Transit Authority passed an increase to 1.0 mill with 65.5% support.

✅ Interurban Transit Authority (Saugatuck-Douglas area) passed an increase to 1.0 mill for 10 years with 77% support.

✅ MTA - Flint MI passed an increase to 1.5158 mills with 64% support.

✅ Manistee Dial-a-Ride Account (Manistee County Transportation) passed a renewal and increase to 0.75 mills with 61% support.

Additional Successful Transit Proposals
CATA - Capital Area Transportation Authority (Ingham County) – 79%
Charlevoix County Transit – 72%
Marquette County Transit Authority - MarqTran – 70%
Shiawassee Area Transportation Agency (SATA) (Caledonia Township) – 70%
Cadillac/Wexford Transit Authority – 66%
Metro Kalamazoo County Transportation Authority – 65%
Lake Erie Transit (Frenchtown Township) – 65%
Lake Erie Transit (City of Monroe) – 75%
St. Joseph County Transportation Authority – 65%+
Iosco Transit Corporation - ITC – 59%
Crawford County Transportation Authority (adding in) - 59%
Ludington Mass Transportation Authority (Pere Marquette Township) – 80%

These results came from rural, suburban, and urban communities alike, and they reflect the important role public transportation plays in helping people get to work, medical appointments, school, shopping, and other daily destinations.

Thank you to the transit agencies, local leaders, board members, advocates, riders, and community partners who worked hard to educate voters and build support for these efforts.

Michigan voters sent a clear message yesterday: public transportation is a service worth investing in.

07/24/2026

This week, the Michigan Public Transit Association partnered with CATA - Capital Area Transportation Authority to host a U.S. Department of Transportation Fundamentals of Bus Collision Investigation training.

This training brought transit professionals, safety managers, investigators, and law enforcement personnel together from across Michigan and around the United States.

Participants gained hands-on experience in collision investigation, accident reconstruction, safety management systems (SMS), evidence analysis, interview techniques, and report writing—critical skills that help strengthen safety programs and improve public transportation operations.

Thank you to CATA, the instructors, and all attendees for making this nationally recognized training a success! 👏

07/24/2026

🚍 MPTA is taking steps to better serve the full range of transportation providers across Michigan.

This summer, the MPTA Board approved recommendations to modernize the association's membership structure, including a new Other Transportation Provider Member category that would include organizations such as 5310 providers, NEMT providers, intercity bus operators, and other community transportation services. Members will consider the proposed bylaw changes at the Annual Membership Meeting in August.

Our goal is simple: grow membership, strengthen services, and ensure all transportation providers have access to advocacy, training, networking, resources, and a stronger voice in Michigan transportation discussions.

📖 Read the full blog post: https://members.mptaonline.org/blog/Details/mpta-updates-membership-structure-to-better-serve-michigan-transportation-providers-346084

At its June meeting, the MPTA Board of Directors approved recommendations to modernize the association’s membership structure and better reflect the variety of transportation providers serving Michigan communities.  The recommendations include replacing the current Specialized Services members...