Bridge bus gets a two-month reprieve

The bridge bus, due to end its service on April 1, has received a two-month reprieve.

The following announcement was received today from the Michigan Department of Transportation:

***************************************************************** Funding deadline for bus service at International Bridge extended by two months

The International Bridge Administration today announced that the deadline for seeking alternative subsidies for the bridge's bus operation has been extended to June 1, 2003. "The city of Sault Ste. Marie, Mich. has committed their efforts to seek alternative funding sources to replace the nearly $40,000 annual bridge subsidy, and we need to provide additional time for that," said IBA General Manager Phil Becker.

"We embrace the city's leadership in working with the IBA, Lake Superior State University and Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario to help resolve this funding issue and allow this important community service to continue." In addition to the direct subsidy, funded through bridge-toll revenue, the IBA also has provided free bridge crossings valued at an estimated $43,000 annually. "We are hopeful that substantial progress can be made through community collaboration in time for the next Joint International Bridge Authority board meeting in early May," Becker said.

"We will continue to provide free bus crossing, but unfortunately, the IBA can no longer afford to be the only local entity providing a direct cash subsidy." During the past three years bus ridership has dropped 50 percent while the subsidy has increased 233 percent.

The IBA has reduced annual operation budgets by over $500,000 in the past two years in response to declining traffic and toll revenue.

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