ARMP Expands Across Michigan

The Advancing Rural Mobility Program (ARMP) continues to grow through strong collaboration with transit agencies across Michigan. As more agencies participate, ARMP is helping build a connected statewide network that makes it easier for residents to discover, plan and book trips.

The MiTripPlanner currently includes partner agency data from 2022 to 2025, with data feeds for an additional 13 agencies actively in development and planned for future integration.

For riders across Michigan, increased participation means clearer and more consistent information about available rural transportation options.

By collecting standardized service information General Transit Feed Specification Flex (GTFS‑Flex data) from participating agencies, riders can:



• Find information about flexible and demand-response services online
• Understand service areas, eligibility, hours, and booking requirements before traveling
• Plan trips that connect rural and urban services with greater clarity

Making this information easy to find helps reduce confusion and supports more informed trip planning.  

ARMP was created to help address this ongoing challenge. By supporting agencies in publishing consistent, high‑quality service data and linking it to statewide trip‑planning tools, ARMP is improving how riders discover and understand public transportation. This approach strengthens connections between rural and urban transit systems while increasing visibility for agency services statewide. 

Standardized data formats such as GTFS‑Flex make it possible for flexible and demand‑response services to appear accurately in trip‑planning tools, benefiting both transit agencies and the riders they serve.

What’s Coming Next

ARMP continues to expand, with upcoming efforts including:

• Onboarding additional transit agencies statewide
• Continued enhancements to MiTripPlanner, including clearer service details
• Ongoing technical support and training for participating agencies
• Opportunities for agencies to share feedback and help shape future improvements



Together, these efforts support a shared foundation for rural mobility today and help prepare Michigan for more connected, data-informed transportation in the future. 

Partner Agency Spotlight: Yates Dial-A-Ride

Since 1976, Yates Dial-A-Ride has been serving Lake County by providing demand-response transportation for residents, visitors, students, human service organizations and individuals with disabilities. 

Yates Dial-A-Ride offers affordable services Monday through Friday

from 6:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. as well as some pre-booked rides available on Sundays from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Additionally, the agency offers weekly trips to Big Rapids and Ludington that must be booked 48 hours in advance.

For a complete list of frequently asked questions, services, fares, and hours visit YatesDialARide.com. 

Upcoming Technology Events/Tech Talks

May Tech Talk: AI-Powered Grant Writing – May 21, 2-3 p.m.

In February, Stephen Kuban of Kuban Transit Solutions showed us how you can use AI to improve your technology procurements. He’s back this May to tackle grant writing. This Tech Talk shows transit professionals how to use AI tools to strengthen every stage of the grant development process, from researching funding opportunities and drafting compelling needs statements to building data-driven narratives and refining budgets. Participants will see live demonstrations and walk away with practical prompts and workflows they can apply immediately to Federal Transit Administration (FTA), state, and local funding applications.

June Tech Talk: Leveraging Fleet Data – June 17, 1-2 p.m.

From visibility to action — the team from Powerfleet will explain how next-generation fleet solutions are transforming operations at scale. Explore how AI-driven video, predictive maintenance, and integrated platforms work together to reduce risk, lower costs, and improve performance. Walk away with practical examples of how fleets are using data to move from reactive operations to proactive, ROI-driven strategies.

July Tech Talk: Helping Seniors Embrace Technology – July 13, 11 a.m. – noon

Have you ever thought, “We don’t need technology. Most of our riders are seniors and they’d never use it.” The fact is, older Americans are increasingly embracing technology, using an average of 10 different apps in a three-month period, according to AARP. They just might need a little encouragement and support to get comfortable with tech. In this Tech Talk, Michael Wilson, director of mobility management for the Flint Hills Coordinated Transit District in Kansas, will share how they successfully get seniors to adapt to transit technology.

If you would like to receive an invitation to the Tech Talks, contact Janet Geissler at GeisslerJ1@Michigan.gov.

Stay Connected

The Advancing Rural Mobility Program is expanding statewide and welcoming new transit agencies. Participating agencies receive hands-on support to publish GTFS-Flex data that connects with the MiTripPlanner tool, making services more accessible to riders. For more information on the Advancing Rural Mobility Program visit MiRuralMobility.org.

By working together to keep service information visible, accurate, and accessible, we are building a stronger, more connected transit system that benefits riders statewide.

Please get in touch with MDOT Project Manager Sherry Vandevender at VandevenderS@Michigan.gov or Jillian Otten at JOtten@HNTB.com with any questions or comments.