William Drake Transit Group's New Chairman

William Df Drake, a member of the Ann Arbor Transportation Authority since its inception in 1968, was elected chairman of that body last night. He succeeds George Bacalis in the post. Drake is a professor of natural resources and chairman of the program in urban and regional planning at the University. Drake was elected chairman of the seven-member body in a race with Bacalis who had sought to be re-elected. The authority has never had a chairman serving more than one term. Elected as secretary was Walter Hill while Bacalis was named to the post of treasurer. During the past year, Mrs. Marjorie Brazer served as secretary while Hill was treasurer. In other business last night, Traffic Engineering and Transportation Department Director John E. Robbins reported that a study is under way to determine the feasibility of switching the transfer point for buses. The transfer point is now on Fourth Ave. and occupants of the Masonic Temple have complained of vandalism by youths who are awaiting buses. Robbins says the study will take about six weeks to complete. Drake told the authority the city's proposed "dial-a-ride" bus experiment could be ready to go within six weeks, although he added it might be best to wait until fall to have the system in operation. He said he expects the state to act on the city's proposal next week.