MERIDIAN TOWNSHIP - The Capital Area Transportation Authority (CATA) is planning to improve their overall bus service by constructing a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system.

Meridian Township held a Community Conversation regarding the BRT Project to get resident input and to hear a formal presentation from CATA.

"The idea is to remove buses from the auto lanes and put them in to their own dedicated lanes," said CATA's Deputy Director Debbie Alexander.

This new system is expected to improve all modes of traffic flow, improve safety, increase multinational capacity, improve links between communities and stimulate economic development.

The cost of the BRT construction is a total of $133 million. However, no money will be coming out of tax payers pockets.

"Our five year plan today does not call for any increase in property taxes for the next five years," Alexander said.

After hearing Alexander's presentation about the BRT project, many members of the public who attended the meeting were unhappy and were in disagreement.

"It isn't a rapid transit system, it's only seven miles long and with all the disadvantages I see in this, I would rather not call it Bus Rapid Transit, but a bus boondoggle," said Township resident David Fisher.

During public remarks another resident was very adamant about her dislike for the proposed BRT system.

Resident Sherry Martin said she and her family are strongly opposed to the BRT.

"I believe that public transportation is important, but I also believe that the CATA system is bloated," she said.

Martin also confronted Alexander about presenting inaccurate facts.

"It's inappropriate or misleading to say we have our facts wrong because you don't have you facts right," she said.

CATA presented to residents to get their feedback. Even though most comments were negative the residents have no power in deciding whether the project proceeds or not.

Now it is up to the CATA board to vote on the project. If voted yes CATA will still take residents complaints and suggestions into consideration.