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The Jackson Transit System was created in September of 1964
when the National City Lines discontinued service in the Jackson
urban area. This new system was created and funded by the Jackson
Chamber of Commerce and local Jackson City merchants. This system
offered local public transportation service for several years.
The purchase of the first full size transit buses was accomplished
with Federal, State and Local funds and they were placed in service
in July of 1973. The City of Jackson was named the designated
recipient of Federal and State operating and capital funds at
that time. The balance of public transportation services, county-wide
demand response and other specialized transit services, were provided
by several small human service agencies.
To improve the efficiency of public transportation services,
the City of Jackson and the County of Jackson political bodies
entered into an Inter-local agreement on December 15, 1980 to
form a City/County system.
The governing body was known as the Jackson Area Transportation
Council (JATC). The actual bus operations were operated by a separate
private company identified as the Jackson Public Transportation
Company (JPTC). Through this agreement, the Jackson Transit System
and other Transportation providers were consolidated to form one
county-wide system. Funding for this combined system was provided
by the State of Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) demonstration
grants, as well as Federal Urban Mass Transportation Administration
(UMTA) funds.
By 1982, the State of Michigan funding allocations for the demonstrations
grants were into the third year of a 100%- 90%-80% funding cycle
and the income reduction had not been replaced by other revenues.
It was at this time that the JATC requested a transportation
millage to be placed on a county-wide ballot. The millage revenue
was necessary to offset the funding reductions and rapidly rising
inflationary cost of providing transportation service. If passed,
the millage would bring in approximately $500,000.00 per year
for transportation services.
On November 2, 1982, the public transportation millage election
was held. The millage was defeated by a 4 to 1 ratio. This resounding
defeat resulted in Saturday service reduction along with the elimination
of fixed service outside of the urbanized area. In addition, over
the next three years, several other demonstration service programs
were curtailed. The JATC continued experiencing political friction
between it’s two diverse political entities. The JPTC board
became ineffective due to the lack of direction from the JATC.
In June of 1986, the County of Jackson resigned from the JATC,
leaving the future of public transportation for Jackson in question.
However, the City of Jackson and the JPTC continued investigating
means of sustaining transportation services. The late summer of
1986 saw the formation of the City of Jackson Transportation Authority
(JTA) under Michigan Public Act #55.
In early September 1986, a city-wide dedicated public transportation
millage of one (1) mill was passed by a 4 to 1 ratio to continue
a reduced level of transit operations within the city limits of
the City of Jackson. This millage provided approximately a $280,000.00
financial base for operations.
JTA continued to investigate methods of maintaining all of the
existing public transportation services. In late September of
1986, a new authority was created under a new Michigan Public
Act, P.A. #196. This act allowed greater flexibility for funding
the transportation services through contractual and other financial
arrangements.
The JTA is now recognized by both the Michigan Department of
Transportation (MDOT) and the Federal Transit Administration (FTA)
as an organized and financially sound organization. Further, the
millage was renewed for a five year period in 1988, 1993 and again
in 1998, indicating the extreme goodwill and satisfaction of the
community with the revised system and transit services.
The JTA list of accomplishments continue to grow. In November
of 1992, the City of Jackson Transportation Authority equipped
their fleet of 19 (35-foot) GMC RTS buses with new 1992 Detroit
Diesel electronically-controlled engines, in a major JTA “Clean
Air” program. The $664,343.00 program reduced exhaust emissions
caused by older engines.
By 1993, the JTA’s efforts had paid off by being nominated
by the Michigan Department of Transportation for the Exemplary
State and Local Award Program. This nomination/award recognized
innovative projects and programs that have produced significant
cost savings, measurable increases in quality and productivity
and improvements in the quality and effectiveness of government
services.
The nomination was a result of many innovative projects; but
it was the 1986-1993 accomplishments that really earned the nomination.
During those 7 years, the JTA accomplished many first’s
in the State of Michigan such as:
Retrofit of buses for Handicappers; Leadership in the Michigan
Transit
Pool that saved millions of dollars for the State Transit Systems;
Private/public charter bus agreements; Coordination of in/out
County medical trips; Kids Carriage Program; Innovative labor
contract; Coordinated school bus dispatch program; Engine retrofit
to meet the Clean air standards; and a very successful painted
bus advertising program.
In 1995, the Greyhound Bus Lines decided to share occupancy with
the JTA at the JTA Downtown Transfer Center. The move was applauded
by MDOT and Greyhound. JTA proved that the public and private
industry could work hand in hand to benefit each other. JTA shared
in Greyhound profits and Greyhound had a new terminal without
the expense of building one.
Because of the joint venture, JTA expanded the downtown terminal
in
three areas; a new bus staging lane, a larger passenger waiting
area and more storage space for freight and baggage. State and
Federal funds covered 98% of the expansion and renovation costs.
By 1998, JTA took the lead roll (transportation) to help set up
a regional plan for welfare clients. A $45,260.00 grant from South
Central Michigan Works utilizing funds from MDOT allowed JTA and
Work First!, to establish a special transportation program for
individuals currently receiving temporary Assistance for Needy
Families program services from the Family Independence Agency.
In 2000, JTA began providing all Head Start Transportation. This
contractual arrangement has benefited both JTA and The Region
II Community Action Agency by providing more cost effective and
reliable Transportation service.
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