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U.P. transit agencies honored for years of service

ESCANABA, MI— Several Upper Peninsula transit authorities were recently awarded commemorative plaques honoring their decades of service to the region. The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) and Michigan Public Transit Association (MPTA) presented the awards at a recent joint annual conference at Crystal Mountain in Thompsonville, Mich.

"Transit is often overlooked in the U.P. because many parts of the region are so rural," said Brian Kass, U.P. project manager for MDOT's Office of Passenger Transportation. "However, transit provides vital services to people from all walks of life. It helps people get to work, school, the grocery store, medical appointments, and much more. Transit is a lifeline to the elderly and people with disabilities in our communities."

Receiving awards were:

"We at MDOT appreciate the commitment these communities and agencies have shown to public transit and look forward to working with them into the future," Kass said.

MDOT's Office of Passenger Transportation (OPT) assists and oversees more than 135 public transit service providers, including passenger ferry services. Its main role is to administer and oversee state and federal funding to local transit providers. These funds are used primarily for capital purchases and operating expenses. The office works closely with the Federal Transit Administration to ensure local transit providers comply with federal and state regulations. More information on MDOT’s OPT is available on the MDOT website.

Nicole was born near Detroit but has lived in the U.P. most of her life. She graduated from Marquette Senior High School and attended Michigan State and Northern Michigan Universities, graduating from NMU in 1993 with a degree in English.