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Local Advisory Councils

Local Advisory Councils (LACs) are bodies that are created by law to help a transit system be more accessible. Local Advisory Councils vary greatly across transit agencies. Many agencies actively engage LAC representatives in partnership for making their systems responsive to users. There are a few things every Local Advisory Council must have:

  • Every transit system in Michigan must have an LAC.
  • At least half of the LAC must be people representing seniors and people with disabilities
  • It must meet at least once a year.
  • It must review and comment on the transit system’s accessibility plan.

Below are a listing of Local Advisory Committee groups for each public transportation provider in the region. If you are interested in attending a local advisory council meeting, please see the calendar for meeting dates and contact persons.

Berrien Bus Local Advisory Council

The Berrien County Board of Commissioners appoints the Local Advisory Council (LAC). LAC members and who they represent, include:  

  • Mark Johnson, Chair (Citizen)
  • Amanda Drew (Area Agency on Aging)
  • Cindy Gray (Southwest Michigan Disability Network)
  • Hanna Lei-Sam  (Dept of Health & Human Services)

Cass County Transit Local Advisory Council

  • Robert Cochrane- (Cass County Council on Aging)
  • Jeremy Franks - (Area Agency on Aging)
  • Thomas M. Green- (Cass County Veterans Affairs)
  • Scott Williams-(Woodlands Behavioral Health Care)
  • Joyce Lockwood- (User of public transit)
  • Jan Reed- (Department of Human Services)
  • Karen Ford- (User of public transit)
  •                - (Cass County Administrator)
  • (Disability Network)

Niles Dial A Ride Local Advisory Committee

LAC members and who they represent, include:   

  • Serita Mason (person w/disability and user)
  • Linda McLane (Person w/disability and user)
  • Larry Harris (user)
  • Norma Ferris (65 years and older and user)
  • Jennifer Krueger ( Great Niles Senior Center)

Twin Cities Area Transportation Authority Advisory Council

The Twin Cities Area Transportation Authority Board of Trustees appoints the Local Advisory Council (LAC). LAC members and who they represent, include:    

  • Pam Kahanek -(Area Agency on Aging)
  • Ruthie Haralson-(Senior)
  • Rosie Hudson- (Senior)
  • Thelma Branch- (Benton Harbor Senior Services)
  • Freddia Washington - (Senior)
  • Cindy Gray (Disability Network)

Van Buren County Local Advisory Committee

The Van Buren County Board of Commissioners appoints the Local Advisory Council (LAC). LAC members and who they represent, include:

  • Julie Pioch- (Planning)
  • Sherry Bennet (Family Advocacy)
  • Faith Dowd- (Area Agency on Aging) 
  • Nicole Handy- (Low-Income)
  • Melanie Giddings- (Education)
  • Vacant (User)
  • Richard Curtis- (Senior)
This page last updated on 6/6/2024.

Purpose

The purpose of the Local Advisory Committee groups are to serve as the foundation for assessing, planning and strengthening public transportation services in the community and to provide recommendations and input to local public transportation providers and other governing entities.