Vote November 3, 2026!

 

 

What is the millage proposal request?

On November 3, 2026, Grand Traverse and Leelanau County residents will vote on a ballot proposal to levy 0.4589 mill to continue BATA operations for bus service starting January 2028 and lasting until December 2034.

 

Is the 0.4589 mill millage rate request a renewal or an increase?

It is a renewal. This is a continuation of the current property millage at a lower rate than both the 2022 voter-approved millage (0.4788 mills) and lower than the average Michigan transit millage (0.60 mills).

 

What does BATA plan to provide if the millage is approved?

  • Safe, reliable, customer-focused transportation.

  • Mobility for seniors, students, and people with disabilities.

  • Access to jobs, healthcare, education, and shopping.

  • Transportation that supports our regional economy.

 

How much will the millage raise?

The millage will raise $6,041,755 in annual property tax revenue for BATA collectively from Leelanau and Grand Traverse County residents. 

 

How many rides does BATA provide?

BATA provide more than 500,000 rides a year and services 900 square miles of Grand Traverse and Leelanau Counties. BATA provides nearly 1,500+ rides a day and has 40 years of serving the community providing more than 15 million rides. More than 170,000 rides annually are provided to seniors or disabled riders.

 

How is BATA funded?

BATA operates on a $14 million annual budget and receives its funding from these sources: Federal Government (20%), State Government (35%) and 45% from local sources. 34% of BATA's total funding is provided by the local millage levy. Capital purchases such as buses and new technologies are traditionally funded through grants and capital reserve funds.

 

What will happen if BATA’s millage request fails?

If the millage isn’t approved, BATA will lose up to 45% of its total funding and will need to reduce transportation services accordingly until a local millage is approved. Without a local funding source, BATA will not be able to receive the federal and state funding that accounts for its remaining operating budget.

 

How many people work at BATA?

BATA employs 140 people including drivers, mechanics, dispatchers, customer service representatives and a small administrative team. BATA offers service 365 days a year servicing all of Grand Traverse and Leelanau Counties.

 

How many buses are in BATA’s fleet?

BATA has around 80 vehicles in its fleet ranging from small conversion vans to large passenger buses to handle a variety of transportation needs. More than 90% of BATA’s fleet is equipped with wheelchair lifts and bike racks. BATA has replaced 70% of its aging fleet with propane powered buses that save on maintenance costs and are better for the environment with lower greenhouse and carbon monoxide emissions compared to gasoline and diesel vehicles.
 

Who is responsible for BATA’s oversight?

BATA was established in 1985 and is a legal authority formed under ACT 196 of Michigan Law. It is overseen by a seven-member Board of Directors with representatives from both Grand Traverse and Leelanau Counties.

 

Why are some of BATA's buses nearly empty?

BATA’s ridership varies throughout the day, similar to heavy or light traffic on area roadways so not all of BATA’s buses are filled to capacity consistently. BATA does provide 1,500 rides daily, averaging nearly 500,000 trips per year. BATA’s service model is divided into two types of service, on-demand Link service and fixed-route Loop and Bayline service. While BATA’s LINK service may only have 2-4 passengers on board at a time, the Loop and Bayline service is often near capacity.  BATA believes the best way to serve the public is through reliable, consistent and comprehensive coverage for Leelanau and Grand Traverse counties.

   

Will property tax capturing entities such as DDAs and Brownfield Authorities receive a portion of BATA’s millage?

Yes, by law a portion of BATA’s millage funds will be distributed to other government entities that capture property taxes. This only applies to residents that live within one of these property tax capture jurisdictions. For example, if you live in Leelanau County, your taxes will not be captured to support the Traverse City Downtown Development Authority. Government entities that capture a portion of BATA’s property tax funding include City of Traverse City Downtown Development Authority, Grand Traverse County Brownfield Redevelopment Authority, Village of Kingsley Downtown Development Authority, Village of Fife Lake Downtown Development Authority, Interlochen Downtown Development Authority and Leelanau County Brownfield Redevelopment Authority.

  

BATA Milestones Since Last Millage Request:

  • Riders can now track their bus in real time and receive onboard audio stop announcements.
  • Riders can now request Link trips directly from their phones.
  • Secured state and federal funding to develop the region's first transit-oriented development, combining BATA's new Operations Center with workforce housing to address two critical community needs: transportation and affordable housing
  • Continue to make waiting for the bus better with more than:
    • 75 bus shelters (most with lighting and some with heat)
    • 80 benches, bike racks and accessible ADA access
    • User friendly signage and route information at each stop
  • Continue to be a community partner providing needed transportation to community events and activities including the National Cherry Festival, Bayshore Marathon, Cedar Polka Fest, Leelanau Uncaged and Smart Commute Week
  • Set a single day ridership record on July 4, 2026, with 7,126 rides.
  • Planning for the future with service improvements as staffing and resources allow to adapt to the changing needs of residents in Grand Traverse and Leelanau Counties.
 

How does the ballot langauge read?

Bay Area Transportation Authority
Millage Proposal – Nov. 3, 2026

 

Shall the Bay Area Transportation Authority for Grand Traverse and Leelanau Counties, Michigan, be authorized to levy annually an amount not to exceed .4589 mills ($0.46 per $1,000 of taxable value), a renewal of the .4788 mills reduced to .4589 mills under the Headlee Amendment, on taxable property within its jurisdiction for seven (7) years, 2028 through 2034, inclusive, to fund public transportation capital and operating expenses and provide transportation services for seniors and persons with disabilities? The estimated first year revenue is approximately $6,041,755

 

By law, a portion of millage will be distributed to other governmental tax-capturing entities, including the Traverse City, Village of Kingsley, Village of Fife Lake and Interlochen Downtown Development Authorities and the Grand Traverse and Leelanau County Brownfield Redevelopment Authorities.

 

Yes


No