Chelsea Opts Out of Countywide Transit Authority

The City of Chelsea is the latest municipality to opt out of a countywide transit program organized by the Ann Arbor Transit Authority.

The council voted 6-1 against joining The Washtenaw Ride following a work session prior to its meeting Tuesday, according to the Chelsea Update.

The city joins neighboring Western Washtenaw municipalities Sylvan, Lyndon, Lima, Manchester and Dexter townships in choosing not to participate. Scio Township also voted to opt out at its meeting Tuesday, Ann Arbor.com reported.

The only municipalities in Washtenaw County to remain as part of the authority to date are the cities of Ann Arbor, Ypsilanti and Ypsilanti Township.

Council members expressed concerns about what the exact millage might be as well as the representation on the board.

Currently, the Chelsea area is served by the Western Washtenaw Wave Express (WAVE), which provides connector bus rides and door-to-door service to Ann Arbor and Dexter.

The Ann Arbor Transportation Authority voted unanimously, 7-0, Oct. 2 to incorporate the new transportation authority after years of discussing plans to increase public transportation throughout the county.

The vote to incorporate included every municipality in the county in the new authority, which has the power to levy taxes to support its operations.

The vote also initiated a 30-day period for municipalities to take action if they wanted to opt out.

Read the complete story on Chelsea Update.