Project Background
The Ypsilanti Transit Center (YTC) Reconstruction project, initiated by TheRide, focuses on building a new transit center in Ypsilanti to serve the growing Ann Arbor-Ypsilanti area. Constructing a new YTC is a top priority for TheRide and is highlighted in TheRide 2045 Long-Range Plan. We are committed to building a larger, more modern transit center to improve bus operations, comfort, and safety for all who use the facility.
Timeline
- 2013
- 2014
- 2015
- 2016
- 2017
- 2018
- 2019
- 2020
- 2021
- 2022
- 2023
- 2024
-
2013 Added the City of Ypsilanti as a member municipality
-
2014 to 2016 Significant service expansion
-
2017 to 2018 Passenger Terminal Needs Assessment complete
-
2019 to 2023 Gathering funding, other elements of the project were on hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic
-
2022 TheRide 2045 adopted, millage approved by voters to fund the first 5 years of service improvements
-
2024 Spring public and stakeholder engagement, site concept chosen in summer; significant progress on environmental review and schematic design; service expansion.
Spring 2025 FAQs
TheRide 2045
The Growing Need
As part of a broader initiative known as TheRide 2045, the proposed new transit center in Ypsilanti serves as a critical element to enhance transit service for riders. The original YTC was built over 30 years ago and met the needs of riders and staff at the time. However, due to its age and size restrictions, the facility does not adequately meet service and customer demands today, and needs are expected to rise over the next 20 years. The most frequently heard comments from our customers and staff include:
Past and current engagement efforts have indicated that the current site location for the YTC meets the needs of the staff and riders. While the space itself needs to expand, the location on the block at Pearl and N. Adams Streets offers easy access to riders and is centrally located within Ypsilanti.
Feedback to TheRide during YTC engagement activities and regular organization evaluations have shown an overall sense that the staff serving the YTC meets and exceeds expectations. Having the Information Specialists now on-site has benefited riders, and route drivers maintain a strong reputation among riders.
With floor to ceiling windows, natural light is abundant at the current YTC. This has been a feature that is welcomed given the small footprint.
A severe lack of amenities for both passengers and drivers include few outdoor sheltered areas near the buses, no real-time information, and insufficient indoor seating. The facility also has too few public and driver bathrooms.
The facility is undersized today, and with ridership projected to increase due to future planned service expansion, crowding and pedestrian flows at the facility will only worsen. Additionally, TheRide drivers feel crowded in the bus, especially when their bus has a deployed bike rack or the slip has snow accumulation. Staff accommodations and facility operations spaces at the current facility are also very limited and will grow increasingly tight as service expands.
The facility has inadequate separation between pedestrians, passenger cars and trucks, and buses. Sightline issues, particularly seeing the bus bays, routes, and parking lot from the facility, as well as sightlines within the facility, have caused frustration and safety risks.
The security systems do not provide coverage to all bus bays and bike parking, and the facility lacks secure areas for equipment, security personnel, and additional information specialists that provide ticketing and trip planning assistance.
Based on recommendations in TheRide 2045, service will increase in Ypsilanti, and TheRide will need more than six bus bays to accommodate future service, including articulated bus (a bus with two or more sections linked by a flexible middle) bays for planned high-capacity transit service between Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti, such as bus rapid transit. Bus rapid transit offers cost-efficient, faster transit service through partial or fully dedicated lanes, off-board fare payment, level boarding locations, and transit priority features.
What We've Heard
TheRide has conducted extensive public and stakeholder engagement for this project, including for the initial Needs Assessment in 2017-2018, site concepts in spring/summer 2024, and space needs/facility programming and site development throughout fall 2024 and winter 2025.
The project had a fresh start in fall 2023 with engagement an integral part from the beginning.
2024 Site Concept Selection
The YTC Planning Team utilized the work in 2018 and updated in 2023 to develop three concepts of the proposed location and footprint of the new YTC facility, all on the parking area adjacent to the existing YTC. This, along with educational information about the YTC project, was shared during public engagement in April-May 2024:
» Public and virtual open house, with additional in-person opportunities at local public meetings, such as the City Council and Historic District Commission, as well as attendance at the May First Fridays event.
» Met with a variety of local stakeholders and community leaders. » Internal drop-in listening sessions for drivers and staff.
» Survey open to the public to provide additional feedback and clarity on community opinions and needs.
» We received nearly 100 responses to the survey and interacted in various ways with approximately 200 people during the 2024 engagement period.
» Top comments received:
- Existing buildings, especially active commercial buildings and historic structures, should be preserved in the City of Ypsilanti. The YTC Planning Team worked to eliminate any demolition of structures except for the existing YTC facility.
- Multimodal and sustainable features should be incorporated into the new YTC facility. The YTC Planning Team is currently working on the facility design with architects and engineers who are experts in sustainable, transportation focused design.
- Measures should be taken to improve safety and security, provide greater access to amenities, and overall increase the size of the facility to accommodate future growth. The new YTC facility will be over three times larger than the current YTC and maximize the platform space for buses and riders. The facility will incorporate current best practices for the provision of transit amenities in a safe and secure environment.
After gathering extensive feedback from the public and various stakeholders, a fourth concept that combined elements from the original concepts emerged. This concept went through a careful vetting process with City officials, internal staff, and technical experts before the team received approval in August 2024 to advance the fourth concept forward into design.
The final site concept is located along Pearl St. but does not remove any buildings along Adams St. nor Washington St. The concept maximizes the number of bus bays on the platform while providing space for a large platform and standby bays. Operations will be impacted during construction, but TheRide will work with our partners and experts to maintain excellent operations during construction and mitigate impacts.
2023 Validation of 2018 Needs Assessment
The primary efforts and outcomes of this work included:
» Review of TheRide 2045 Long-Range Plan.
» Review of ridership and changing travel patterns due to COVID-19.
» Update of proposed facility program.
» Review of land use changes.
» Engagement with City officials, internal staff, and technical experts.
» Continued recommendation for Existing YTC site at 220 Pearl Street.
» Additional site design alternatives that build from initial designs.
2018 Passenger Terminal Needs Assessment
In 2017-2018, TheRide retained a consultant to help conduct the initial work for a new passenger terminal in downtown Ypsilanti. The primary efforts and outcomes of the work included:
» A proposed facility program that provided a high-level estimate of facility size, platform size, number of bus bays, space needed for safe pedestrian circulation, how to incorporate various types of transit and modes of transportation, and green space;
» Detailed evaluation of 3 sites in Ypsilanti:
- 220 Pearl Street (existing YTC plus City parking lot)
- Water Street and Michigan Avenue
- 301 Michigan Avenue
» Initial recommendation for Existing YTC site at 220 Pearl Street for the new facility after robust public and stakeholder engagement;
» Initial design alternatives;
» Planning-level costs for construction.
Facility Design, Site Concepts, and Floor Plan
The following preliminary designs were created to support the solicitation of feedback from the public and stakeholders at an early stage. Please visit the Feedback page to provide any comments or questions you may have.
Preliminary Facility Design
The facility will be approximately 6,700 sq.ft., which is over three times larger than the existing YTC. The facility will be on one floor, will preserve surrounding commercial and historic structures, and have a modern distinct design that fits with the character of nearby development.
All designs are subject to change.
Conceptual Site Development
The platform will accommodate more passengers and around 10 standard and high-capacity transit buses, with a dedicated stand-by area, nearly doubling the space for buses. The site will feature improved transit operations, inviting landscaping, and thoughtful bus waiting areas with easily accessible information, seating, and other transit-focused amenities. Multimodal transportation options will also be incorporated, such as bike parking and areas for ride share, paratransit, and other demand response services.
All plans are subject to change.
Floor Plan
Click to enlarge
The new facility will have more and larger public bathrooms, as well as a larger public waiting area that allows for visibility of bus arrivals, enhanced technology, and a more comfortable waiting environment. Driver and staff areas will meet modern recommended practices and building codes, as well as provide a welcoming environment in which to spend breaks and a secure area for storing belongings.
Next Steps & Contact Us
Thank you for taking the time to learn more about the Ypsilanti Transit Center proposed project and providing your feedback. Your feedback will be shared with the YTC Planning Team to further refine and develop designs throughout 2025. We are accepting feedback from April 17-May 23, 2025.
Limited English Assistance
Contact Us
- Visit Our Website
-
Call
734-794-1882
M-F 8am-5pm -
Email
YTCinfo@theride.org -
Write
Ann Arbor Area Transportation Authority
ATTN: YTC Open House Feedback
2700 S. Industrial Highway
Ann Arbor, MI 48104
Call 
Email 
Write 
