Metro Transit (Kalamazoo)


Kalamazoo Metro Transit is a public transport service that operates 20 routes in the Kalamazoo, Michigan, metropolitan area. Most routes serve the city proper, but some extend into the neighboring communities of Portage, Parchment, Comstock Township, Kalamazoo Township, and Oshtemo Township. Service is primarily by bus, although a special door to door Metro County Connect service is slso available for riders.
Metro Transit is primarily funded by a combination of federal, state, and local contributions; in 2003, rider fares made up 19.25% of the operating budget.
Kalamazoo Metro Transit was formed in 1967, when residents of Kalamazoo voted to acquire the failing private transit company Kalamazoo City Lines. In 1980, with the purchase of a new bus fleet, Metro Transit operated the first fully wheelchair-accessible fleet in Michigan.
In 2003, Kalamazoo Metro Transit carried riders on more than three million trips. About one-third of the passengers had no driver's license, automobile, or other means of motorized transport.
In 2006, voters approved a millage to permit Metro Transit to retain night and Saturday service and add two routes in Portage. Declining financial support from the state, a flagging local economy, and rising fuel prices, led Metro Transit to increase fares to the current rate of $1.50 per adult.
In August 2015 voters approved a millage of up to 0.75 mills to extend service to 10 p.m. on 3 routes, 11:15 p.m. for 3 routes and to 12:15 p.m. on 12 routes and also added daytime Sunday service from 8:15 a.m. to 5:15 p.m. on 17 routes starting in September 2016 and running through 2020.
In January 2018 Metro extended 11 routes on Sunday to 6:15pm.
In January 2019 Metro added an additional route #20 East Comstock in response to the whole township of Comstock starting to pay for service in the 2015 millage and only the Western edge had currently been receiving fixed route service.
Through a partnership with Western Michigan University WMU students and faculty are allowed to utilize any route in the system free of charge when showing their Bronco ID.
In January 2019 Metro reached an agreement with Kalamazoo Public Schools to allow students to utilize any route for free similar to their long running contract with Western Michigan University.
Since April 2020, no service is provided due to the COVID-19 pandemic, up to further notice; 9 days before, all fares were free.

Oversight

Metro is governed by a seven-member Transit Authority Board of Directors appointed by the Mayor of Kalamazoo with consent of the Kalamazoo city commission and an executive director appointed by the city commission. The current executive director is Sean McBride.
The Transit Authority Board Board of Directors includes
The Kalamazoo Transportation Center serves as the primary transfer hub for Kalamazoo Metro Transit bus routes
No.NameService points
1WestnedgeDowntown, Meijer on Westnedge, Crossroads Mall
2PortageDowntown, Bronson Methodist Hospital, Milwood Elementary, Milwood, Washington Elementary, Maple Ridge Apartments
3West MichiganWestern Michigan University's main campus, The Arboretum, Cedar Trail Apartments, Village Apartments, Westland Meadows, Maple Hill Pavilion, West Main Mall
4OaklandDowntown, Michikal Street, Bureau of Services for Blind Persons West Michigan Regional Office/Training Center, Oakland Drive Oakwood, Parkview Avenue
5East MainDowntown, East Main Street, Eastwood Plaza
6ParchmentDowntown, City of Parchment, Goodwill Industries, Parchment High School
7AlamoDowntown, Metro Transit offices, Alamo Avenue, Hillside Middle School
8EglestonDowntown, Wings Stadium, Milwood, Milwood Junior High, Covington Road
9GullDowntown, Borgess Medical Center, Nazareth Center Complex, East Towne Mall, Meijer and Walmart on Gull Road
10ComstockDowntown, Mayor's Riverfront Park, Kalamazoo County Fairgrounds, Kalamazoo County Sheriff's Department, Kalamazoo County Jail, Comstock, Meijer on Gull Road.
11Stadium/KVCCDowntown, Western Michigan University, Stadium Drive, Kalamazoo Valley Community College - Oshtemo Township Campus
12DukeDowntown, YWCA, South Middle School, St. Monica's School, Hackett High School, Meijer on Westnedge, Milham Park, Loy Norrix High School, Kalamazoo/Battle Creek International Airport
13South BurdickDowntown Bronson Methodist Hospital, Family Independence Agency, MRC on Bank Street, Goodwill Industries, Milham Park, Loy Norrix High School, Meijer on Westnedge,
14West MainDowntown, Kalamazoo Central High School, Maple Hill Pavilion, Meijer on West Main
15PatersonDowntown, Metro Transit offices, Douglas Community Center, Interfaith Homes, Lincoln School, North Christian School, Northside Prep School
16LovellDowntown, Kalamazoo City Hall, Oak and Lovell, Concord Place Apartments, 58 West, Western Michigan University's main campus
21Solon-Kendall - LafayetteWestern Michigan University, Kendall Manor, Whitehall Apartments, and the Landing Apartments, Fraternity Village, Greenwood, and Knollwood Apartments
26West Centre Roeswood Complex, Anna's Vineyard, Milham Meadows, Oakwood, Crossroads Mall, Borgess at Woodbridge.
27East RomenceCrossroads Mall, Portage Central High School, Industrial Park, Portage City Hall, Walmart, and Meijer on Shaver.