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OPPORTUNITY TO COMMENT
Link to: PROPOSED STATE AND FEDERAL APPLICATION FOR OPERATING AND/OR CAPITAL ASSISTANCE
All citizens are advised that TCATA has prepared an application for State of Michigan financial assistance for fiscal year 2025 as required under Act 51 of the Public Acts of 1951, as amended, and for federal assistance as required under the federal transit laws, as amended.
TCATA is requesting a total of $2,831,200 through the following program funding:
These funds will be spent on the projects below:
Section 5307 CMAQ Replacement of 2 vehicles $480,000 (FTA) and $120,000 (MDOT)
Section 5307 Facility maintenance and improvements $542,153 (FTA) and $135,538 (MDOT)
Section 5310 Mobility management $60,000 (FTA) and $15,000 (MDOT)
Section 5307 Operations $691,600 (FTA) and Local Bus Operating $786,900 (MDOT)
A public hearing will take place on December 21, 2023, between the hours of 12:00 pm - 5:00 pm to review the draft TCATA Title VI plan.
Meeting Location: TCATA Headquarters 275 Wall Street Benton Harbor Michigan
All public meetings held by TCATA are required to be accessible to persons with disabilities under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Accommodations are available upon request to persons with disabilities who require alternately formatted materials or auxiliary aids to ensure effective communication and access to public meetings or programs.
For questions about accessibility or to request accommodations, please call 269-927-2268.
TCATA will be closed on Saturday, November 11th for staff training. Service will resume on Monday, November 13, 2023
NOTICE: All ride requests must be made at least 24 hours in advance.
The TCATA dispatch phone system is down. While this system is being restored. Please use this suggestion form below.
Online comments can be summited to TCATA using the online suggestion form. Once TCATA receives your comment it will be forwarded to the appropriate department and you will receive a response by email.
TCATA transportation system will be temporarily closed between 1 pm-3 pm on Friday, October 21, 2022
Dispatch phone system is temporarily down.
Please call 269-927-2268 to schedule a ride
Governor Whitmer has lifted the "Stay Home" Executive Order, and we have advanced to Phase 4 of the MI Safe Start Plan. DART will resume non-essential trips as well as fare collection for all trips on Monday, June 8. We ask that all passengers who are medically able to do so wear a face covering such as a mask, scarf, bandana, or handkerchief while riding the bus.
The Niles DART office will continue to remain closed to the public until further notice. Appointments can be made to purchase bus tickets or tokens, or for the processing of reduced fare cards. Please contact the office at 269-684-5150 with any questions.
Announcement: Due to the current situation and to help maintain the safety of the public and our drivers, Transit is suspending both the Concord Loop in Paw Paw and the Metro Loop in South Haven until further notice, effective April 2, 2020. We are still offering dial-a-ride service in both areas. Please call 269-427-7921 to schedule a ride and please stay safe.
We are an essential service providing transportation for medical appointments and pharmacies; for grocery shopping and employment.
We encourage our Public Transit riders to practice good hygiene through the following steps:
• Always cover coughs or sneezes with a tissue or sleeve.
• Avoid close contact with people who may be sick.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Wash your hands often with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol if soap and warm water are not available.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces (computers, keyboards, desks, etc.).
Our staff continues to disinfect, clean and wipe down frequently touched surfaces on our buses and in our facility.
Out of an abundance of concern for the health and welfare of our staff and customers during the COVID-19 pandemic, management has made the decision to close the office to visitors. Niles DART buses will remain in service for essential trips such as medical appointments, grocery and pharmacy trips, and trips to work.
Riders who need to wait at DART for a scheduled ride or who are utilizing the deviated fixed route can wait outside near the benches. Anyone who needs to schedule a ride or conduct other business at DART, is asked to call 269-684-5150, ext. 1. We thank you for your patience and understanding during this difficult time.
TCATA has released a smartphone app that makes it even easier to track your bus location and arrival time. More Information
WSJM- August 2, 2018 Berrien County will be helping out Cass County on managing transportation services. After tabling a resolution to allow county transportation and planning coordinator Evan Smith to work one day a week for Cass County last week, commissioners voted 11-1 to approve the assistance. Berrien County Administrator Bill Wolf says Cass County will pay $33,000 a year for the help.
“This is money we could use, this is an employee we can share with our fellow county, Cass County, that needs him desperately,” Wolf told the county board. “In our very mission, it talks about cooperating with other levels of government.”
Commissioner Ezra Scott cast the only “no” vote, saying he wanted to see quarterly transportation reports. Several other commissioners went from being on the fence at the start of a roughly 20-minute discussion. Berrien County has a 60-day out that can be used for any reason during the one-year deal.
Biking to work can take a bit of practice. Get some tips for your first commute from Active.com.
If you need assistance utilizing this web site and would like to use a tool, such as NonVisual Desktop Acess because you have low vision or are blind and need a reader/narrator, contact the Mobility Manager for details at 269-925-1137 x 1519 or send an email to: info@swmpc.org |
Make riding the bus easier - buy a Punch Card.
Blue Card Cost: $13.50 Value: $15.00 in bus rides
White Card Cost: $22.50 Value: $25.00 in bus rides.
Purchase cards in the TCATA office and have your fare ready next time you ride the bus.
Debra Panozzo, Mobility Manager.
The Berrien Bus Local Advisory Council meeting has been changed from Friday September 9 at 10 am to October 14 at 10 am.
TCATA/Twin Cities Area Transporation Authority is looking to hire bus drivers. Drivers are required to have a CDL license with a Passenger (P) designation. Call TCATA with questions, customer service phone line: 269-927-2268
Niles Dial-A-Ride Transportation is hiring. Job descriptions and applications are available on the city’s website here: http://www.ci.niles.mi.us/DeptsAndServices/HumanResources/Employment.htm.
Technical Memorandums
The technical memorandums below have been prepared for the Southwest Michigan Planning Commission and other community stakeholders as an initial component for conducting the Berrien Countywide Transit Feasibility Study. As an interim work product for the study, it should be considered draft working material, to which corrections and additions will be made.
Evaluation of Current Operations: Specific areas relevant to the feasibility of consolidating transit services in Berrien County are discussed, and issues identified through the evaluation to this point in the project are highlighted. Data included in this technical memorandum will be updated with more current information as the study progresses. Evaluation of Proposed Options: This memorandum reviews and discusses the range of alternatives, from improved coordination through to a countywide system operated by one entity. Preliminary Financing Plan for a Countywide Transit System: This preliminary financial plan begins with a review of the various revenue sources. The review provides information on current conditions and discusses considerations related to a countywide transit system, including those related to local millage support for countywide transit services. |
Public comment is needed on the proposed changes to the Blue Route.
Effective November 1, 2013
On Wednesday, June 6th Dan Dalton and Ken Hosen; KFH Group consultants, presented Technical Memorandum # 1 which presents a wide range of information that was gathered and evaluated to this point in the project, including profiles of each of the transit systems that details each by administration and management, marketing and advertising, capital facilities and equipment, and operations and maintenance. Throughout these system profiles, the variety of issues and opportunities identified to this point in the study are presented and discussed.
Click Here to View Technical Memorandum # 1
Next Steps
While the KFH Group start on Technical Memorandum #2, the subcommittee of the Berrien County Coordinated Transportation Coalition (BCCTC) facilitated by Mobility Manager, Christina Pippen, will begin discussing the development of a unified policies and training program.
If you have any questions pertaining to content written in the technical memorandum, please direct your questions to KFH Consultant, Dan Dalton at DDalton@kfhgroup.com or call (301) 951-8660.
If you have any questions about ongoing coordination efforts or would like to get involved, please contact Senior Planner at the Southwest Michigan Planning Commission, Kim Gallagher at Kgallagher@swmpc.org or call (269) 925-1137 ext 18 or contact Mobility Manager, Christina Pippen at pippenc@swmpc.org or call (269) 925-1137 ext 19.
Good Morning,
On Wednesday, June 6th Dan Dalton and Ken Hosen; KFH Group consultants , presented the 1st Technical Memorandum which is a compilation of detailed information regarding the consolidation of transit services in Berrien County. At the meeting, many of you shared really great comments and concerns, thank you! For those of you who could not attend this meeting, please see the attached meeting summary, comments from our stakeholders, and a copy of the power point presentation.
Next Steps
I believe we have gained the momentum to begin making the small changes that were suggested in the 1 of 3 technical memorandums. Many people indicated that they wanted to stay engaged in the planning process and the committed support that the community provides is very telling of how important the study is for the community.
While the KFH Group continues to work on the 2nd Technical Memo, the subcommittee of the Berrien County Coordinated Transportation Coalition facilitated by Mobility Manager, Christina Pippen, will began discussing the development of a unified policies and training program.
If you have any questions pertaining to content written in the technical memorandum, please direct your questions to KFH Consultant, Dan Dalton at DDalton@kfhgroup.com or call (301) 951-8660.
If you have any questions about ongoing coordination efforts or would like to get involved, please contact Senior Planner at the Southwest Michigan Planning Commission, Kim Gallagher at Kgallagher@swmpc.org or call (269) 925-1137 ext 18 or Mobility Manager, Christina Pippen at pippenc@swmpc.org or call (269) 925-1137 ext 19.
View the 1st Technical Memorandum here.
The growing ranks of older Americans will far outpace previous generations with their level of mobility and activity," said TRIP Executive Director Will Wilkins. "Serving their needs will require a transportation system that includes safer roads, safer vehicles, safer drivers, and improved choices.
This report was just released in February 2012
Keeping Baby Boomers Mobile: Preserving Mobility and Safety for Older Americans
The Reduced Fare program is a federally funded program that allows seniors and people with disabilities to ride public transportation systems at a 50% reduced rate. Having the Reduced Fare card system in place does not only make transportation more affordable for people that are on limited incomes, but also adds convenience being that one card is accepted by all the transit providers in Berrien, Cass, and Van Buren counties.
Click on the image below for more information about the application process.
The Berrien Countywide Transit Feasibility Study process will provide a detailed analysis of the following opportunities:
- To allow for additional rider benefits, such as better and increased services within the County and services that cross county lines;
- To provide a more effective mechanism to address countywide transportation problems;
- To provide greater opportunities for the creation of local dedicated funding sources for transit; and
- To achieve economies of scale with regard to capital, operating, administrative, and human services.
Technical Memorandums
Evaluation of Current Operations Evaluation of Proposed Options: Preliminary Financing Plan for a Countywide Transit System: |