The Twin Cities Area Transportation Authority appears to be ready to enter into talks with Berrien County about finding a transit solution for the region.
County leaders have been talking with municipal governments throughout the community for months about what to do when TCATA’s state funding runs out in October, as laid out in a Michigan Department of Transportation letter to them, but TCATA officials themselves have not been involved. However, at a meeting this week of the TCATA Board of Trustees, Chair Alex Little said he is planning to request a meeting with the Berrien County Board of Commissioners soon.
“From earlier discussions held with them, we had indicated as this process began to unfold that we would offer to have Via sit down with them and listen, see how we might be able to help address their needs,” Little said.
With management firm Via Transportation preparing to take over the operations of TCATA’s Dial A Ride service next month, Little said an arrangement with the other parties in the county could be in the cards.
“I believe that what they want is the same thing that we want and I think that Via will give us, and that is a reliable service that allows people to know when they’re going to get picked up and that they get picked up on time and that gets them to where they’re trying to go when they’re supposed to be there.”
Berrien County Community Development Director Dan Fette previously told county commissioners that if a regional transit authority is formed, it would likely rely on the assets of entities like TCATA, at least at first. Little told TCATA board members he has yet to schedule the meeting with the county, but multiple trustees said they’d also like to take part.
Meanwhile, municipal governments around Berrien County could soon consider resolutions of support for the regional transit concept.
