STARS SEEKS PUBLIC INPUT ON PROPOSED FARE AND SERVICE CHANGES
In the face of rising operational costs and the lowest state transit funding levels in Michigan’s history, the STARS (Saginaw Transit Authority Regional Services) Board has approved preliminary cost-saving measures to address the budget shortfall. These proposed changes are not yet final, and STARS is calling on riders and community members to participate in a public hearing and complete an online survey to help shape the final decisions.
Like many transit agencies across the state, STARS is navigating an unprecedented financial challenge. STARS must make tough decisions to be able to cover expenses.
Proposed Service Changes Include:
1. Fare Adjustments (Returning to Pre-Pandemic Levels):
o Regular fare increase from $1.00 to $1.50
o Reduced fare (for seniors and riders with disabilities) increase from $0.50 to $0.75
2. Reduction in Weekday Evening Service Hours:
o Eliminating one hour of weekday service from 8PM-9PM. Weekday operating hours would change from 6AM–9PM to 6AM–8PM
• Final departures from the Plaza would be scheduled at 7:00 PM
“We need to be good stewards of the funds the public has entrusted us with. Like our riders, we need to cut costs so we can cover our bills. We know these are difficult changes, and we’re not making them lightly,” said Amy Bidwell, Executive Director of STARS. “We believe in transparency and accountability. That’s why we’re asking our riders and the public to give us feedback before anything is finalized.”
Public Hearing Details:
Date: June 10, 2025
Time: 6PM
Location: STARS Board Room, 615 Johnson St. Saginaw, MI 48602
Accessibility: The hearing location is ADA-compliant. Interpretation services available upon request.
Online Survey:
Persons not able to attend in person may send written comments to Jamie Forbes, Director of External Affairs, 615 Johnson Street, Saginaw, MI 48607, message our facebook page, or email info@saginaw-stars.com
To ensure broad input, STARS has also launched an online survey, available at [https://form.jotform.com/251144722799161]. The survey will remain open until June 13th.
Input gathered through both the hearing and the survey will be reviewed by the STARS Board before any final decisions are made later this summer. Changes are anticipated to be effective on October 1st.
STARS is accessible to people using wheelchairs and others with disabilities. Agendas are available in large print. Materials in alternative formats, ASL interpreters, real-time captioning and other accommodations will be made available upon request. Please make your request for an alternative format or other accommodations, to Jamie Forbes, Director of External Affairs at jforbes@saginaw-stars.com or by calling 989.907.4038. To ensure availability, this request should be made by May 27. For more information on the proposed changes, www.saginaw-stars.com or call 989.907.4038.
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