ABOUT
BENZIE BUS

Mission

Vision Statement

Beliefs & Values

History

Staff & Board

Job Opportunities

The Role of
Public Transportation

The Fleet

Media

Events

Reports

Policies

Phone
(231) 325-3000 or
toll free (866) 325-3380

Hours of Operation
Monday – Friday
6:00am - 10:00 pm
Saturday
7:00am - 6:00pm

Main Office
14150 US Highway 31
Beulah, Michigan 49617

About Benzie Bus

MISSION

Benzie Bus connects people of all ages and abilities to our community and promotes independence and prosperity through a safe and convenient public transit system.

VISION STATEMENT

Benzie Bus envisions a future in our Benzie County community in which:

• All people can live, learn, work, and play conveniently and independently without driving.

• People choose to travel via public transportation because it is a safe, affordable, modern, and efficient way of getting where they want to go.

• Employers and employees prosper with convenient transportation solutions that support and strengthen communities and the local economy.

• Families are strengthened and sustained through cost-effective and convenient transportation choices for all family members.

BELIEFS & VALUES

At Benzie Bus, we believe that:
• Our community has a moral and economic obligation to provide transportation
alternatives to people of all ages and abilities.

• Our transportation system is customer-centered. We provide service that is safe, clean,
convenient, affordable, accessible, timely, and dependable. We earn our customers' trust
by providing service that is friendly, courteous, respectful, and responsive to customer
needs. We will actively pursue continuous public outreach and involvement.

• Our publicly funded transportation system must be a wise steward of the public trust.
We operate with fiscal responsibility, competence, integrity, and a spirit of openness and
transparency. We actively communicate with the public via direct contact with our staff
and board; public outreach; contact with business, groups, and government; our printed
materials and website (www.benziebus.com); and the mass media.

• Our public transportation system plays an important role in shaping regional growth
patterns, protecting rural character and scenic beauty, and improving the quality of life in
our community. We operate and grow our public transportation system in a way that
supports vibrant communities and protects the rural landscape.

• A well-designed public transportation system can support an environmentally
sustainable future, control urban sprawl by promoting responsible or “smart” growth,
increase energy alternatives and conservation, and reduce traffic congestion. We pursue
alternative fuels, including the potential for generating some energy locally through wind,
solar, biofuels, and other renewable resources. We will connect our bus system with
environmentally friendly mobility options including bicycling, walking, and carpooling.
We encourage “green” building and operational practices at all our facilities.

• No single organization can provide all the transportation solutions needed by our customers.
We build broad-based collaborations to blend a wide variety of seamless transportation
options into a flexible and responsive network focused on the needs of all people. We act
as a regional leader in seeking to collaborate with other bus systems (at the regional,
state, and national level), government, businesses, school systems, health care
institutions, social service and civic organizations, places of worship, and other entities
generally in order to deliver integrated service and benefit from efficiencies and
economies of scale.

• Our employees are the first line of contact with our customers and, therefore, we value
our employees as integral to the success of our organization. Our employees will be well
trained and project professionalism through their actions and appearance and their upkeep
of the buses and facilities.

• Our public transportation system should be a leader in its industry through the use of
modern technology related to clean fuels and innovative service, including the prospect
of providing on-board wireless Internet access and real-time information at bus stops (and
via the Internet) regarding when the next bus will arrive. We will seek to be at the
forefront of transportation technologies related to delivering excellent service that meets
our community’s social, economic, and environmental goals.

Check out Benzie Bus monthly updates in the Grand Traverse Insider.

HISTORY

More than 10 years ago a group of citizens in Benzie County began to hold monthly meetings to discuss the need for public transportation in their community.  In February of 2005 they officially launched the Benzie Bus Initiative.  One of the Initiative’s goals was to help the county’s economic growth.  Public transportation not only takes workers to their workplace, but a public bus connects residents, visitors and consumers to local businesses and other places of recreation which is vital to the area economy.  The Benzie Bus Initiative also knew that affordable and consistent transporation would improve educational opportunities in both schools and workplace.  Creating this link gives more people access to job training, increased educational and employment opportunities, and social service programs such as Welfare to Work.

In April of 2006 the Benzie County Board of Commissioners formed the Benzie Transportation Authority and appointed 10 county residents to direct the independent body.  Through multiple meetings and a grassroots approach to gain support, voters approved the 0.5 millage request- 58% yes, 42% no.  Turnout was 34%, which was double the turnout in the previous primary election and it was the first time in Michigan’s history that a public transportation ballot had passed on the first attempt.  In January 2007, the Benzie Bus became a reality, and opened its doors to the public.

Copyright © 2007 Benzie Bus - All Rights Reserved
Site designed by WHY! Advertising