This paper examines the creation, redefinition, and success of a downtown circulator bus route in Ann Arbor, Michigan named the Link. Many in Ann Arbor had long desired a circulator bus route to connect its diverse downtown business districts with the University of Michigan campus. These desires came to fruition in September 2003, with the Ann Arbor Transportation Authority (AATA) launching the Link with funding from a Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality grant following a comprehensive planning process that engaged local stakeholders. The route suffered from low ridership and operational problems soon after entering service, prompting many to question its future. However, by implementing an ongoing planning process that continued to engage stakeholders, the AATA was able to obtain new ideas that ultimately led to the successful redesign of the route: improving its usefulness and encouraging the formation of new partnerships to finance its ongoing operation.
Abstract