Bay Metro Transit Celebrates 30th Anniversary
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County Executive Tom Hickner lauds 30 years of service by the Bay Metro Transit Authority as, from left, District Judge Craig Alston, BMT General Manager Mike Stoner, BMT Board Chair Bob Redmond and State Sen. James Barcia await their turns to talk.
Bay Metro Board Chair Bob Redmond thanks community for supporting the agency for 30 years.
Demand for public transportation is going to be even greater in the future, says Mike Stoner, general manager of the Bay Metropolitan Transit Authority.
Reasons include changing demographics, more senior citizens and disabled persons, Mr. Stoner said, adding: "Senior riders will be more demanding than current seniors since they will know what services are available and will want improvements and additional services."
A blue ribbon cast of speakers lined up Friday, July 16,under a tent outside the Bay Metro building on Johnson Court and repeated a positive public transportation mantra.
The cast included Bob Redmond, Bay Metro board chair; Stoner; State Sen. James Barcia; County Executive Tom Hickner; Bay City Mayor Bob Katt; Sharon Edgar, MDOT representative; District Judge Craig Alston; and, Jeff Coupie, Arenac Opportunities, Inc., rider representative.
Redmond thanked the voters and taxpayers for providing the service, noting that 260,000 rides are provided annually to the disabled and about 80,000 to seniors.
He also credited employees for sacrificing wages and benefits while the agency worked its way out of financial difficulties encountered in the past.
Sen. Barcia noted that Bay Metro was a vital service that many citizens depend on for transportation to medical appointments and other critical trips. He said he is working to defeat a bill in the Legislature that aims to divert $69 million in public transportation funds to other budget areas.
Mr. Hickner called Bay Metro "one of the best run organizations in Bay County" and credited Stoner and his staff for efficiency.
Mayor Katt thanked the agency for "enhancing the quality of life" of students, seniors, handicapped and disabled citizens.
Sharon Edgar of MDOT noted that public transportation in Michigan "moves 90 million people a year" and that 70 agencies receive about $200 million funding annually.
"Clearly Bay Metro stands out; your mission statement speaks volumes," Ms. Edgar said, adding: "You respond to community needs and the rights of all individuals and you are good stewards of tax dollars." She is administrator, Passenger Transportation Division, Multi-Modal Bureau, Michigan Department of Transportation.
Judge Alston noted that as a visually impaired person he uses Bay Metro frequently and depends on public transportation to help him take his children on outings since he cannot drive a vehicle.
"Among the happiest memories my children and I have had are all because of Bay Metro," Alston said.
Mr. Coupie said public transportation in Arenac County is moving forward thanks to Bay Metro's assistance.
A 30th anniversary logo, reprising an earlier symbol used by the agency when it started in 1974, was dedicated. Mr. Stoner also pointed out a mini-park under development on the front lawn of the facility as a 30th anniversary project, tying in with the city's mini-park initiative.###
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