Disability Network/Lakeshore presented its first-ever Ability Award to Allegan County Transportation Director Dan Wedge at a reception and ceremony held October 25 in Holland, Michigan.

Dan was hired 12 years ago to initiate a public transportation system for Allegan County. Within 6 months, he had vehicles on the road. Today, Allegan County Transportation is a $3.5 million, 28-vehicle system that provides transportation for the disabled, seniors, and all others who have a barrier to owning or using personal transportation.

Beyond his responsibilities with Allegan County Transportation, Dan also currently serves as the State of Michigan's delegate for Community Transportation Association of America, and is active on two committees of the Michigan Public Transit Association. In addition, Dan has a long history of service with the Allegan County Fair and Allegan Fire District boards.

The Ability Award honors the legacy of Ruth Stegeman, the founding director of Disability Network/Lakeshore, who worked toward inclusive communities that engage all citizens, including those with disabilities. The criteria for selection of the Award include leadership, advocacy, empowerment, and community engagement.

On October 26, Michigan Governor Rick Snyder presented his special message entitled "Reinventing Michigan's Infrastructure: Better Roads Drive Better Jobs." As part of the message, Governor Snyder proposes that Michigan revamp its taxing and funding structure for road maintenance. Among the highlights of the message, the Governor proposes that Michigan:

• Revise the 60 year old Michigan law that dictates how transportation revenue is distributed and spent
• Eliminate the current gas tax on consumers, and replace it with a percentage tax at the wholesale level
• Increase the state vehicle registration fee, and allow local municipalities to collect registration fees of up to $40 per year
• Create a regional transit authority for Southeast Michigan

Read the 13-page text version of the special message in its entirety.

Michigan Governor Rick Snyder is scheduled to deliver a special message regarding Transportation and Infrastructure today (Wednesday, October 26,) at 3:00 p.m. (Eastern Time). The broadcast will be streamed live on the following website:

http://www.michigan.gov/snyder/0,4668,7-277-57578-264592--,00.html

If you visit the site before the broadcast begins, you may need to refresh the page to view the broadcast.

On Tuesday, October 4, 2011, State officials announced a tentative agreement with Norfolk Southern for the purchase of 135 miles of railroad track between Kalamazoo and Dearborn. This acquisition is a pivotal part of the plan to eventually have passenger trains running at maximum speeds of 110 mph between Dearborn and Chicago. The Michigan Lieutenant Governor has signed a bill appropriating $150 million in federal money and matching funds of $18.8 million each from the State and Norfolk Southern. The next step in the process - overhaul and upgrade of the track - is a project to be funded by a $196 million federal grant.

For more details regarding legal issues surrounding public transit authorities and systems, please contact Mark Koerner at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

On Friday, September 30, 2011, elected officials from Macomb, Oakland, St. Clair, Washtenaw, and Wayne Counties, and the City of Detroit, announced the formation of "Regional Partners Advocating Transit Here (R-PATH), a bi-partisan, volunteer group that will push for the creation of a regional transit authority and, ultimately, a regional mass transit system.

Leading up to the announcement was a presentation by transportation officials from Denver, Colorado, highlighting how Denver overcame significant challenges to develop a $1.67 billion light rail and bus system serving the eight county area surrounding Denver. Since the system opened in 2006, ridership in Denver is up 16% over initial estimates, and officials estimate that for every $1 invested in the transit system, $4 comes back to the local Denver economy.

For more details regarding legal issues surrounding public transit authorities and systems, please contact Mark Koerner at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

On April 12, two new House bills affecting public transportation were referred to the Committee on Transportation.

House Bill 4366 would amend the Incompatible Public Offices Act, MCL 15.181 et seq., specifically MCL 15.183, to allow a public officer or employee of a transportation authority created under the Public Transportation Authority Act, Public Act 196 of 1986, MCL 124.451 et seq., ("PA 196") to serve as a public officer or employee on another transportation authority if each authority has members consisting of the identical political subdivisions.

House Bill 4367 would amend Section 4 of the PA 196 to allow a county with a population between 240,000 and 255,000 to form more than one public authority under the act. The current law does not allow for a single authority with different millage rates for different levels of service in different member communities.  House Bill 4367 was specifically written for counties like Kalamazoo County  and  would allow for different mileage rates based upon different levels of service.

"The MPTA is a rapidly developing Association," Mark noted. "Its members provide essential services to their communities and the growth of public transportation is critical to Michigan's future. We appreciate the MPTA's willingness to include The Hubbard Law Firm among its service providers. Andria, Mike, Cheryl, Cat and I want to thank Executive Director Clark Harder and all the MPTA staff for making this year's event a truly enjoyable experience."

While most of the conference was strictly business, The Hubbard Law Firm was pleased to award the 2010 Greatest Of All Teams (G.O.A.T.) golf trophy to the foursome of Valerie Schultz, Steve Pickering, Ed Benning and Jerry Hutchinson.   For a photo of the deserving (and very honest) recipients click here.

In Rothfeld v Capital Area Transportation Authority (No. 288938), the Court of Appeals held that plaintiff created a question of fact concerning the bus driver's alleged negligence and affirmed the trial court's denial of defendant's motion for summary disposition. 

Plaintiff brought a person injury action based on the driver's negligent operation of the bus.  She stated the bus driver, who appeared impatient, "floored it" causing the bus to accelerate quickly. As the driver accelerated, plaintiff, who was walking toward her seat, slid forward on the wet aisle (due to rainy conditions), fell backwards, and hit her head on the bus floor.  Plaintiff's factual scenario was supported by another passenger's testimony. 

On January 26, 2010, the United States Department of Transportation (DOT) issued a federal ban on text messaging while driving.  The federal ban, aimed at increasing road safety, applies to interstate truck drivers and commercial bus and van drivers who carry more than eight passengers.  While the ban does not address how it will be enforced, any truck or bus driver who texts while driving may be subject to both civil and criminal penalties as well as fines up to $2,750.00.