April 22, 2008

    Michigan Flyer the motorcoach company providing service between Ann Arbor and Metro Airport commends you for your commitment to protect the environment through energy efficiency and eco - friendly projects. We at Michigan Flyer share that dedication.
    

    The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), based on the Clean Air Act, has designated seven Southeast Michigan counties as a “non attainment area”.  This unfortunate designation means that, when it comes to airborne particle pollution (PM), we are in one of the worst hit regions in the country.

    Mass Transit is one of the immediate and practical solutions.  Michigan Flyer is now providing new   
    energy efficient motor coach service between Ann Arbor and Detroit Metropolitan Airport and  also   
    serves East Lansing and Jackson.  We are helping to answer the call for innovative ways to lower
    emissions and ease congestion on our roadways. 

    Before Michigan Flyer began its service, Metro Airport was the only major airport in the nation that did 
    not have some form of public and/or private mass transportation serving outlying communities.   

    Unfortunately, Detroit Metropolitan Airport officials object to direct bus service to Ann Arbor and have actually begun harassing Michigan Flyer and its riders.  For example they  forced the removal of all signs identifying our airport drop-off and pickup points and they continually make it difficult for Michigan Flyer riders to use the service. 

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has specific language outlining intercity bus access requirements for federally-funded airports – requiring that intercity bus access be granted “to the maximum extent practicable”.

The harassment tactics by Metro Airport officials must stop and your help is urgently needed.  Please don’t allow a few officials at Detroit Metropolitan Airport to deny you mass transportation options because of their “special interest” greed.  We need your help now to resolve this problem.

Please contact your elected state and federal officials and ask them to support mass transit options.  They are:

                                                                        Governor Jennifer M. Granholm

Phone:  517-373-3400

U.S. Senator Carl Levin                                    State Senator Liz Brater

E-mail: senator@levin.senate.gov                      E-mail: senlbrater@senate.michigan.gov

Phone:  202-224-6221                                     Phone:   517-373-3406

U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow                        State Senator Randy Richardville

E-mail: senator@stabenow.senate.gov          senrrichardville@senate.michigan.gov

Phone:  202-224-4822                                     Phone:  517-373-3543

Congressman John Dingell                                State Representative Kathy Angerer

E-mail: public.dingell@mail.house.gov               -mail: kathyangerer@house.mi.gov

Phone:  202-225-4071                                         Phone: 517-373-1792

Congressman Tim Walberg                               State Representative Pam Byrnes

E-mail: rep.walberg@mail.house.gov             E-mail: pambyrnes@house.mi.gov

Phone:  202-225-6276                                     Phone: 517-373-0828

                                                                        State Representative Alma Wheeler Smith

                                                                        E-mail: almasmith@house.mi.gov

                                                                        Phone: 517-373-1771

                                                                        State Representative Rebekah Warren

                                                                        E-mail: rebekahwarren@house.mi.gov

                                                                        Phone: 517-373-2577 

    Michigan Flyer does not believe it was Congressional intent for airport authorities to be the ultimate authority to determine which communities in our state receive public or private mass transportation services.  That authority rests with the Interstate Commerce Commission and the Michigan Department of Transportation. 

We are replacing our motorcoaches with new 2008 models designed to operate with low sulfur diesel fuel that will ultimately cut carbon dioxide emissions by 85 percent per passenger mile for every person who chooses motorcoach travel instead of driving alone.   Motorcoaches are the most fuel efficient mode of travel, currently providing 184 passenger miles per gallon (MPG) compared to single-passenger automobiles that achieve only 28 passenger miles per gallon. 

In the 16 months since Michigan Flyer began service, we have carried over 80,000 people to and from Metro Airport, saving more than 10-million vehicle miles – lessening the traffic congestion on area roadways and making for more convenient, comfortable travel. 

Michigan Flyer began serving the residents of Washtenaw County earlier this year because you requested it.  In addition, we received encouragement from the Ann Arbor City Hall, Ann Arbor Chamber of Commerce, Ann Arbor Convention and Visitors Bureau, and Ann Arbor Transit Authority. 

With your help, that service will continue! 

Thank you.

Gordon Mackay, President

Michigan Flyer LLC  www.michiganflyer.com