The Twin Cities Area Transit Authority (TCATA) has now begun two new scheduled bus routes, as of December 14, 2009. Bus stop signs are now in place at almost every stop. With new service areas, transit riders can go places that they couldn't go using Dial a Ride service, and they can catch a bus at a reliable, scheduled time at a designated stop.
There is a significant cost savings of riding a scheduled route over Dial a Ride service - the ride only costs $1 each way (50 cents for seniors and persons with disabilities)! This even includes a free transfer from one fixed route to another. This means savings of anywhere from $2 to $6 per trip, over the Dial a Ride service.
Red Route
The Red Route makes a one-hour loop through Benton Harbor, St. Joseph, St. Joseph Township, and Stevensville. Hours for the Red Route are 6am to 10pm Monday through Friday and 8am to 10pm Saturday. The stop locations include:
- *Twin City Dial a Ride office, Wall Street, downtown Benton Harbor
- *Michigan Works!, Main Street, downtown Benton Harbor
- The Whitcomb, downtown St. Joseph
- Lakeland Hospital, Napier Ave., St. Joseph
- Harding's, Niles Ave., St. Joseph
- Martin's, Hilltop Rd., St. Joseph Charter Township
- MDOT Rideshare lot at Red Arrow Highway and I-94, Lincoln Township
- Briarwood Apartments, Union St., Benton Township
- Union & May, Benton Harbor
- *Union & Empire, Benton Harbor
- Empire & Pearl, Benton Harbor
*serves as a transfer point to Blue or Green routes
Green Route
The Green Route makes a one-hour loop through Benton Township and Benton Harbor. Hours for the Green Route are 8am to 5pm Monday through Friday. The stop locations include:
- *Twin City Dial a Ride office, Wall Street, downtown Benton Harbor
- Madeline & Jewett, Benton Township
- KPEP, Waukonda Ave., Benton Harbor
- Buss Housing, Fair Ave., Benton Harbor
- Blossom Acres, Highland Ave., Benton Township
- Country View Apartments, E. Britain Ave., Benton Township
- Berrien Homes, S. Crystal Ave., Benton Township
- *Orchards Mall, Benton Township
- *Benton Square (Save a Lot), M-139, Benton Township
- *Union & Empire, Benton Harbor
*serves as a transfer point to Blue or Green routes
Note: The Red and Green routes have a "flex option." This means that persons who would like to be dropped off at a point along the Red or Green route that is not a designated stop can ask the driver for a "flex" drop-off when they board the bus. Pickups along the Red and Green routes that are not at designated stops can be requested by calling 269-927-4461.
Blue Route
The Blue Route, formerly known as "The Special" or the "Line Haul" route has been operated by the Twin Cities Area Transit Authority for three years. It makes a one-hour loop through Benton Harbor and the Benton Township (Fairplain) retail area. The Blue Route runs twice an hour, servicing some locations four times an hour. The Blue Route now runs from 6am to 10pm Monday through Friday and 8am to 10pm Saturday.
