VOLUME 5, NUMBER 14

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Firefighter documentary film coming to Ann Arbor Inside: Registration open for U-M Inside Mens Football Experience Page 2-A Page 7-A U-M play is both dark and comic
Thursday, April 4, 2013
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Public transportation use up in Ann Arbor

TheRide provided 6.6 million rides last year, mirroring national upswing
ANN ARBOR The Ann Arbor Transportation Authority (TheRide) announced Monday that it provided a record 6.6 million rides in 2012, an increase of 6.6 percent over 2011 and part of the 10.5 billion rides provided throughout the U.S. last year; the nations second highest annual ridership figure since 1957. The increase in transit ridership was driven by high and volatile gas prices, changing demographics, and a recovering economy with more people returning to work, said American Public Transportation Association (APTA) President and CEO Michael Melaniphy. TheRides record ridership includes both fixed-route and demand response service, and garnered national attention this spring. The 2012 U.S. public transporbus route (based on 2010 census data). In addition, TheRides overall on-time performance improvement (92 percent of trips were completed on time) and high interior/exterior cleanliness tation record ridership growth standards (96 percent of TheRides shows that there is a growing fleet met or exceeded customer demand for public transportation. satisfaction standards) helped Ridership grew in all areas of the contribute towards the rise in country in small, medium and ridership. large communities. Public transAccording to a 2011 University portation saves people money, and of Michigan people save even study, more more when gas than half of all On the Web prices spike. Also, licensed drivers since nearly 60 perFor more information about in the U.S. were cent of trips taken the Ann Arbor Transportation under age 40 in on public transporAuthority, see www.theride.org. 1983. That numtation are for work ber has fallen to commutes, it makes less than 40 persense that ridership increases cent, with only about 22 percent in areas where the economy has comprised of drivers under 30. improved and new jobs have been Downtown Ann Arbor entrecreated, Melaniphy added. preneur Al McWilliams employs Ease of accessibility to a team of young professionals, TheRides fixed-route service was several of whom regularly use also a contributing factor, with 91 TheRide for travel within Ann percent of Ann Arbor residents Arbor, and one who commutes living within a quarter mile of a solely via bus from Ypsilanti. Our parents moved to the burbs where we grew up riding around in cars. My generation is going the other way. It may be as simple as that, McWilliams said in an interview with CNN. He represents a growing segment of America that has embraced public transit throughout the nation, in communities like Seattle, Dallas, Nashville and Los Angeles, and added I feel more free when I take the bus. I dont have to worry about a car, where its parked, gas or maintenance, he said. A bus is going to come by and take me where I want to go. There is a sea change going on in the way that people look at transportation, said APTAs Melaniphy. Americans want travel choices; they want to be able to choose the best travel option for their lifestyle. This is an exciting time for the public transportation industry as more and more Americans support it and want it.

On the RAIL

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Huron tops Saline in lacrosse season opener.

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Ann Arbor businesses win healthy workplace recognition

Ann Arbor is well represented on a new list recognizing local businesses for their investment in employee health. Washtenaw County Public Health Monday named its 2013 Healthy Workplace Award winners, a lineup that includes the Bank of Ann Arbor and City of Ann Arbor, along with Ann Arbor-based Kaiser Optical Systems and Whole Foods Market, which has a pair of locations in the city. Also recognized was Ypsilanti-based Growing Hope. The awards coincide with National Public Health Week, April 1-7. The honorees represent large and small businesses that are promoting healthy behaviors in the workplace. Our efforts to promote wellness in the workplace are having positive benefits to our cost structure, said James Miller, director of human resources at the Bank of Ann Arbor. Even with the exponentially rising cost of healthcare, our yearover-year health care costs per employee have remained flat.
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Ann Arbor Civic Theatre volunteers gather to show their appreciation of the community.

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Theatre group makes volunteer pitch

Ann Arbor Civic Theatre will host a volunteer fair from 3-6 p.m. Saturday, April 13, at the A2CT Studio at 322 West Ann Street, Ann Arbor. The event is free and open to anyone interested in becoming involved in Ann Arbor Civic Theatre. For additional information and directions, call 734-971-2228 or visit www.a2ct.org. We just announced our 2013-14 season and its not only an exciting slate of shows, there are lots of opportunities for volunteers to become involved, says volunteer coordination chair Mary Kowalski. Over 300 people participate onstage and behind the scenes at Civic each season, and theres a job for just about every interest and every level of experience. Getting involved with A2CT is like joining a family a fun family that doesnt criticize you and throws lots of parties! In addition to refreshments and facility tours, current A2CT volunteers from all areas of production will be on hand to explain various volunteer positions. Directors of the 2013-14 season will also be in attendance to talk about their specific shows and ways people can become involved. Ann Arbor Civic Theatre is a non-profit community theater which has been in operation since 1929. A2CT produces dramas, comedies, classics, musicals, and childrens theater. It provides the citizens of Ann Arbor and the surrounding region with opportunities to participate in all aspects of theater performance and production.

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