I’ve enjoyed learning about all the fantastic work being done by this organization and have especially liked getting to know our great team in-person, despite a few travel hiccups I’ve encountered on my commute to the Ypsilanti office.

Like many in the greater Ann Arbor area, I don’t have a car and rely on public transportation to get to work. The Ride, the bus system of the Ann Arbor Transportation Authority, began serving Ypsilanti in 2013. Prior to then, commuting between the two cities without a car was impossible, and I’m thankful the system’s services were expanded before I ever had to make the commute. But getting to work has still been challenging. The mean travel to work time in Washtenaw County is 24 minutes, but it takes me 1.5 hours to get from my apartment in Ann Arbor to Friends In Deed in Ypsilanti.  If all goes well, that is. On one occasion, I missed my bus by a minute and had to wait 25 minutes until the next one. On another, I pulled the lever to request my stop, and it failed to alert the driver. Luckily, being late didn’t cost me a paycheck.

The average income for a resident of the city of Ypsilanti is $22,000 a year.  The average auto insurance premium is $2,796 and can be two or three times that depending on factors such as age, credit score, and driving history. It can be especially onerous for those who have physical challenges to navigate the bus system. Buses are equipped with ramps and designated spaces for those that might be wheelchair-bound, but the bus stops themselves are frequently lacking safe infrastructure. In my own commute, there are only a handful of stops with shelter to protect passengers from wind, sun, and inclement weather. Crosswalks are also noticeably missing (I have to dash across a busy road in order to get to the office).

But there are some positive changes on the horizon. The Ride has proposed several service adjustments on the August 2^nd ballot, including an Ann Arbor-Ypsilanti Express Route, additional overnight and holiday services to the city of Ypsilanti, and more buses on the weekends.

Even with these improvements, Friends In Deed’s transportation services are critically important. We provide free bicycles and transportation vouchers for people without cars to get to work or medical appointments and can help secure a used car for qualifying county residents. For those who do have cars, we can assist with repairs, insurance, gas, and registration. Rising inflation and supply chain issues due to Covid have made the cost of repairs nearly double, and many car owners are one unexpected bill away from losing their jobs. Thanks to your generous support, Friends In Deed continues to help county residents get where they need to go safely and on time.