Survey will ask US 10 corridor businesses about public busing. 

Survey will ask US 10 corridor businesses about public busing. 

A transportation survey conducted by Emma White Research based out of Ann Arbor, will be sent out to the business and property owners along the US-10 corridor between Ludington and Scottville. The survey will gather information for Ludington Mass Transit Authority (LMTA) regarding the level of interest those businesses and property owners have for transportation services.

The survey is in response to requests from Ludington, Scottville, and Pere Marquette Township residents who ride public transit, who would like to see the service expanded to those businesses, restaurants, and homes along that corridor. 

Property owner of Ludington and Scottville pay a millage directly to LMTA while Pere Marquette Township property owners pay a township transportation tax that pays LMTA for service. LMTA service is currently limited to servicing only those three municipalities. 

“LMTA is working to build a connection through this survey and hopefully bridge that gap in Amber Township for service between Ludington and Scottville,” said Paul Keson, executive director of LMTA. “This survey is offering those businesses and property owners a chance to show us their level of interest in having transportation available to them, their employees and customers.

“The goal behind this survey is simply to gather information from the businesses and property owners to gauge the level of interest in transportation services along the US-10 corridor, and to see if they feel it’s important enough to help support the cost of having that service.”

The survey is asking the opinions of property owners along the corridor if they would be willing to pay the same millage rate as paid by the cities of Scottville and Ludington. The current millage for 2021 is 1.2262 mills and would generate approximately $44,000.00 along the Amber Township corridor stretch.

“LMTA has partnered with several local entities for this US-10 corridor survey on transportation,” Keson said. The first partner is the Ludington & Scottville Area Chamber of Commerce. 

“The Chamber’s mission of working to promote business, enhance economic and community development, and work towards improving quality of life in Mason County makes it a great partner,” Keson said. “The Chamber is genuinely interested in transportation service along the corridor for those very reasons, and it is a great resource for LMTA to make a connection with our local businesses.”

LMTA has also partnered with Pennies from Heaven Foundation, which has offered assistance by covering half the cost of the survey. “The Pennies from Heaven Foundation is hopeful that this potential transportation service could help individuals and households achieve self-sufficiency and also promote growth and opportunity for our community,” Keson said. “LMTA is extremely fortunate to have these two organizations partner up with us on this research survey.”

Depending on the results of the survey, the next step would be working with the Amber Township Board of Trustees to see what opportunities there may be in moving forward, Keson said. “If the survey comes back with a lack of interest, things will most likely remain the way they are currently until interest changes or a county-wide effort is sought after. LMTA is hopeful that we can make a connection with these businesses and property owners to create more access in the future for the community.”

Surveys must be completed by July 7. Property owners should be receiving the surveys this week.

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