ANN ARBOR, MI – The Ann Arbor Area Transportation Authority (TheRide) will present their Fiscal Year 2026 draft budget at the August 21 Board of Director’s meeting and will hold a public hearing at this meeting for all persons interested in the budget. TheRide’s 2026 fiscal year runs from October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.

The Fiscal Year 2026 Draft Budget is balanced and provides a stable financial foundation to sustain current operations while advancing efficiency optimizations informed by a full year of expanded service. It supports TheRide’s Corporate Business Plan by maintaining existing services, preparing for future expansions outlined in the approved Long-Range Plan, and investing in internal process improvements. The budget reflects continued operations at full service levels and includes no fare changes.

“We’re proud to share the proposed FY2026 budget after our first full year of successful operations under the expanded services that launched last August,” said Dina Reed, Deputy CEO of Finance and Administration. “This budget builds on that momentum by reflecting refined assumptions, operational efficiencies, and continued investment in expanded frequency, longer hours, overnight service, and other enhancements made possible by the 2022 voter-approved millage.”

TheRide’s Fiscal Year 2026 draft budget proposal issue brief is available for review at: TheRide.org/About/Performance/Business-Plan-Budget.

A copy of the proposed budget and additional background materials will be available for public inspection starting Friday, August 1 from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday at TheRide.org and in-person at:
The Ann Arbor Area Transportation Authority
Dawn Gabay Operations Center
2700 South Industrial Highway
Ann Arbor, Michigan 48104 

Members of the public are encouraged to comment:

• During the public hearing and public comment period at the August 21 Board of Director’s meeting, either in person and via Zoom
• During the public comment period at the September 18 Board of Director’s meeting, either in person or via Zoom 
• By submitting comments online at TheRide.org/About/Performance/Business-Plan-Budget
• By leaving comments by calling 734-794-1810
• By emailing comments to:
  TellUs@TheRide.org 
• By mailing comments to:
  Ann Arbor Area Transportation Authority
  RE: FY26 Budget
  2700 S. Industrial Highway
  Ann Arbor, MI 48104

The Fiscal Year 2026 budget will be formally adopted at the September 18 Board of Directors Meeting.

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