Morgan Celebrates $65 Million Statewide Transit Investments, Including $6.6 Million for The Ride (AAATA)
Historic state funding will advance regional transit across Michigan and help connect more residents to jobs, healthcare, education, opportunity
LANSING, Mich., Oct. 14, 2026 — State Rep. Jason Morgan (D-Ann Arbor) today celebrated Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s announcement of nearly $65 million in state funding for transformational public transportation projects across Michigan, including $6.6 million for a major transit study and preliminary engineering along the Washtenaw Ave. corridor connecting Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti.
The award to the Ann Arbor Area Transportation Authority (AAATA), known as TheRide, will fully fund the work needed to evaluate Bus Rapid Transit (BRT), BRT-Lite and other enhanced transit options. The study will help identify ways to improve service, strengthen connections between communities and make it easier for residents to reach jobs, school, healthcare and other essential destinations.
Morgan helped establish Michigan’s Infrastructure Projects Authority Fund (IPAF), which provides dedicated state funding for transformational transportation projects as part of the state’s nearly $2 billion Sustainable Road Funding Plan. The fund’s first round of awards will support transit expansion, regional connections and transportation planning across Michigan, strengthening transportation options alongside investments in roads and other infrastructure.
“Reliable public transportation is about more than getting from one place to another. It’s about saving people more time, lowering the cost of getting around and connecting people to the opportunities they need to build a good life,” Morgan said. “I’m thrilled to see this historic investment move forward, especially the $6.6 million we secured for the Washtenaw Avenue corridor. This funding will help lay the groundwork for faster, more reliable transit connecting our communities.”
Morgan has made expanding public transportation and building a more connected regional transportation system key priorities. He founded the Michigan Legislature’s first-ever Public Transit Caucus and has championed investments that give residents more transportation choices, lower costs for working families and connect people with jobs and essential services.
The statewide awards, announced Oct. 13, will support a range of improvements including a new bus system for Newaygo County, $10 million for the Detroit People Mover and nearly $10 million to help Genesee County buses serve communities across county lines. Whitmer also announced that the Michigan Department of Transportation will establish a new position to coordinate transit and rail operations statewide — a major move toward stronger state coordination.
“Families shouldn’t have to spend more money than they can afford just to get where they need to go, or miss out on opportunities because reliable transportation isn’t available,” Morgan added. “Whether it’s getting to work, seeing a doctor, attending classes or connecting with family, our transportation system should make life easier, not harder. These investments are an important step toward making that a reality across Michigan.”
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