But because jobs and homes can be very far apart, our size makes transportation one of the most important services the City provides. Residents have recognized this repeatedly and after all City services were recently ranked, transit is third after police patrol and street maintenance. Providing public transit is not cheap, but Battle Creek is helped by the State of Michigan and by Calhoun County. The economic benefits are clear. Local initiatives such as Washington Heights Community Ministries Community Garage, aimed at helping individuals buy or repair a car, are also critical.
Transportation is critical for residents to maintain independence and employment.
The City is proud to provide this assistance to its residents. I hope you enjoy this Service Spotlight. While available to anyone within the service area, which includes the cities of Battle Creek and Springfield, and the surrounding townships, the service is primarily intended for senior citizens and persons with disabilities. Limited evening service for workers to get to their jobs is also available. Anyone wanting a ride must call the Battle Creek Transit Dispatcher at least 24 hours in advance to make a reservation.