On August 3, however, Ypsilanti voters supported public transit. Voters of Ypsilanti chose to pass the Charter Amendment to dedicate ongoing funds to Public Transit. Votes are still being tabulated, but it appears to have won by a significant margin.

“This is a major victory for Public Transit and the City of Ypsilanti,” says Richard Murphy, co-chair of KYR. “Our committee is proud of the stance our voters took today. We will work to pass it just as strongly when the valid vote occurs in the general election on November 2.”

KYR believes that public transit is important to the overall health of both Ypsilanti and the overall region. KYR hopes that voters in the upcoming general election continue to support this important cause, when the vote really matters.

“Ypsilanti needs public transit to be guaranteed for our residents, employees, and customers,” said Beth Bashert, co-chair of KYR. “Historically, having to vote to pass funding for public transit every other year has given the perception that public transit might be unstable. That perception will disappear if this Charter Amendment passes in the general election.”

Keep Ypsi Rollin’ will be hard at work over the next three months to pass the Charter Amendment for Public Transit on November 2.

For more news and updates on this important campaign, please continue to visit this website.

This election will be set aside but we will want you to vote YES. Let’s show everyone how much Ypsilanti supports Public Transit by voting to support it every time we see it on a ballot!

While the question will still appear on the August ballot, the results will be invalid due to a technical error. Keep Ypsi Rollin’ encourages you to vote YES in August anyways, to practice for November.

You can also help Keep Ypsi Rollin’ in other ways:

• Request a yard sign – send your name and address to kyrsigns@gmail.com, and we’ll plant one in your yard for you!

• Send a donation to Keep Ypsi Rollin’, 308 Maple, Ypsilanti, MI 48198.
• Make sure your neighbors know how important public transit is to Ypsilanti’s residents, businesses, and neighborhoods, and ask them to support the Charter Amendment.

Ypsilanti voters will have two chances this year to demonstrate their support for public transit as a critical service to the city. Keep Ypsi Rollin’ has learned that the “Charter Amendment for Public Transit” appearing on the City’s August 3rd primary ballot will not count due to a technicality, and will reappear on the ballot on November 2, 2010.

Under State law, a charter amendment may not be decided on a primary election ballot. Since the City of Ypsilanti’s ballots for the August primary have already been printed including the Charter Amendment for Public Transit, voters will see the measure on August 3, but the vote will not count. The measure will reappear on the November general election ballot for an actual decision.

Keep Ypsi Rollin’ encourages all supporters of public transit to vote YES in both August and November.

“Ypsilanti understands the importance of public transit,” said Richard Murphy of Keep Ypsi Rollin’. “We are disappointed that the August vote will not count, but we see this as an opportunity to let even more people know that they have the chance to support transit service.”

The Charter Amendment would provide secure, dedicated funding for the City of Ypsilanti’s contract for bus service via AATA. This service has been threatened by budget cuts over the past several years, and City and AATA officials have indicated that a “no” vote on this Charter Amendment would probably result in drastic cuts or complete elimination of Ypsilanti’s bus service. Over 600,000 riders board AATA buses every year in the City of Ypsilanti, using The Ride to get to work or school, to get to the doctor, or to buy groceries. Losing bus service would strand these riders, hurting Ypsilanti’s tax base and local economy.

The Ypsilanti City Council has expressed its support of the Charter Amendment. Mayor Paul Schreiber says, “Between now and November let’s get the message out: The transportation charter amendment will ensure AATA bus service in Ypsilanti and provide a foundation to improve bus and rail transportation throughout Washtenaw County. Vote for the transportation amendment on August 3 and November 2!”

Keep Ypsi Rollin’ (KYR) is a ballot question committee formed to pass this important measure. KYR will hold events, educate voters and raise funds for the purpose of helping Ypsilanti protect long term public transit for its citizens, businesses and future!

AnnArbor.com has covered this issue in the article, Ypsilanti transportation millage won’t be decided in August.

For some residents, transit provides a lifeline connection to work or school.  For Ypsilantians too young or too old to drive, public transit may be the only option available.  For others, public transit may be a choice that allows them to save money, or make productive use of their commute.

Why does transit matter to you?  Use the comment box below to tell us:

Checks may be made out to Keep Ypsi Rollin’, and mailed to,

Keep Ypsi Rollin’
308 Maple
Ypsilanti, MI 48198

Thank you for your support!