Good News For Bus Riders

Ann Arbor Transportation Authorjjy has announced major added services which will start Sept. 8, coincident with the opening of schools and universities. I Students at public, parochial, and private schools will find that more frequent line bus service, combined with new Dial-a-Ride service in some neighborhoods, while the AATA is deemphasizing its traditional subscription service because of the Ann Arbor public schools new free pupil transportation program. - ' o f ' - f '-' C Fifteen-minute bus service will be available during morning and evening rush hours on Packard and Washtenaw routes: 7:15 a.m.-9:15 a.m. and 3:45 p.m.-5:45 p.m. Monday-Friday. These services previously operated on a 30minute timetable. A new express route, connecting downtown Ann Arbor with the hospital área, Plymouth Mali, Huron High School, Arborland, Briarwood and Pioneer High School has been added. Buses circuíate on. a loop, in both directiöns. For the first time in recent years, direct crosstown bus service is available-north-south along Hurón Parkway and east-west along Eisenhower Parkway. This new route named "Plymouth-Briarwood Express," is operated on 15 minute schedules during rush hours (7:15-9:15 a.m., and 3:45-5:45 p.m.) and 30-minute schedules mid-day, Monday through Friday. The express route connects several transfer points which are rgached by the AATA doorstep pick-up Dial-a-Ride service. By dialing 973-1611, riders can ari range for a Dial-a-Ride pickup and free I transfer to the Express bus at Pioneer High, Stone School-Eisenhower, Arborland, Hurón High, Plymouth Malí, or Island Drive and Wall Streets. Transfers are coordinated so that the Dial-a-Ride bus and express bus rendevous at the same time. Passenger then step from bne vehicle to the other, with minimum delay and inconvenience, the AATA says. Outbound express bus riders will find Dial-a-Ride buses waiting at these transfer points for doorstep return service. Standing orders for regular pickup at the same time, can be booked through the Dial-a-Ride dispatcher. Weekday Dial-a-Ride (973-1611) is now available in all neighborhoods north of the Huron River and all areas south of Washtenaw and Stadium as well as the original southwest area west of Main Street south of Liberty Street. In addition to line bus and Dial-a-Ride service, the AATA will opérate special services to King, Thurston, Northside, and Tappan Schools. Groups of '20 or more students may arrange for a school subscription run (25 cents per ride) by calling Richard Blake, AATA School Services Coördinator, at 665-7701. For most elementary, junior high and high school students, the AATA has greatly reduced special school services. The AATA will not be operating school subscription service to Clague, Slauson, Huron, Pioneer, Greenhills, St. Paui's, and St. Francis because of the free school bus service now available through the Ann Arbor public schools, although regular AATA routes and, in some ca'ses, Dial-a-Ride, will be available to these schools. Persons wishing information on the Public School bus services should cali 995-3151. Route maps and schedules, including school service maps will soon be available On all Ann Arbor Transportation Authority buses, at the Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti City Halls, public libraries, hospitals, and service agencies at the University of Michigan and Eastern Michigan University student unions or by calling the AATA Service Representative at 665-7701. Wil ■■- MM- M-