The Lincoln Township Board of Trustees has approved a resolution of support for the formation of a regional transit authority in Berrien County as talks continue about replacing the Twin Cities Area Transportation Authority.

As we’ve reported, local governments across the county are being engaged by county leaders as they seek a mass transit solution. Speaking to township trustees Tuesday, Berrien County Commissioner Bob Harrison said TCATA’s funding is to run out later this year, and the Michigan Department of Transportation is leaning on the county to find an alternative that would serve more riders.

“The state has basically said we’ve got to do better at this,” Harrison said. “The funding from the feds, the Federal Transit Authority, is going down. So all of the providers are going to start feeling the pinch with less money, but costs continue to go up.”

Harrison said this has happened in other counties where there were multiple transit services that didn’t work together. He noted Lincoln Township currently has no public transit.

“Lincoln is included in the Dial A Ride TCATA urbanized area but receives no service.”

Harrison added there are some TCATA stops at Bosch and Meijer, but that’s about it.

Local governments across the county are being asked to formally support the idea of a new authority being formed to officially study the issue. Tuesday’s approval by Lincoln Township Trustees comes with no financial obligation.