Berrien County Commissioners Explore Regional Transit Authority

Proposed authority would take over bus services as funding for Twin Cities Area Transportation Authority set to expire.

Published on Feb. 27, 2026

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The Berrien County Board of Commissioners is seeking more information on creating a regional transit authority to take over bus services as funding for the Twin Cities Area Transportation Authority (TCATA) is set to run out in October. Community Development Director Dan Fette warned that without intervention, 150,000 annual passenger rides could disappear overnight, including 55,000 involving the elderly or disabled. Fette proposed an authority that would cover Berrien Bus, Niles Dial a Ride Transportation, and TCATA, potentially offering service to more of the county. However, Board Chair Mac Elliott cautioned that the county would need to ensure local governments are willing to cede authority to the new regional body.

Why it matters

The potential loss of bus services would have a significant impact on Berrien County residents, particularly the elderly and disabled who rely on public transportation. Creating a regional transit authority could help maintain and expand transit options, but the county must navigate the political challenges of getting local governments to agree to the new structure.

The details

Fette said 55,000 of the 150,000 annual passenger rides that could disappear involve the elderly or disabled. He proposed a regional authority that would cover Berrien Bus, Niles Dial a Ride Transportation, and TCATA, potentially offering service to more of the county. However, the new authority would initially have to partner with the existing bus systems to buy transportation services until it's up and running on its own. Fette suggested a millage would be the most efficient way to fund the new authority, though it may not be necessary.

  • TCATA's Dial a Ride service is set to end in October 2026.
  • By fiscal year 2027, TCATA will no longer be eligible for transit funds and unable to provide direct services to certain areas.

The players

Dan Fette

Berrien County Community Development Director who presented the proposal for a regional transit authority.

Mac Elliott

Berrien County Board of Commissioners Chair who cautioned that the county would need to ensure local governments are willing to cede authority to a new regional body.

Berrien Bus

One of the three mass transit services currently operating in Berrien County, which Fette said is spending down its reserves at an unsustainable rate.

Niles Dial a Ride Transportation (DART)

One of the three mass transit services currently operating in Berrien County, which Fette said has a slight surplus.

Twin Cities Area Transportation Authority (TCATA)

One of the three mass transit services currently operating in Berrien County, whose funding is set to run out in October 2026.

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What they’re saying

“If nothing gets done between now and August, there's a possibility that about 150,000 annual passenger rides will disappear overnight due to lack of funding.”

— Dan Fette, Berrien County Community Development Director (wsjm.com)

“We can't afford to lose those 150,000 passenger trips. It's going to have a very harmful impact on some of the people that are in most need of assistance.”

— Dan Fette, Berrien County Community Development Director (wsjm.com)

“It should give us all pause when it comes to the county stepping in and assuming responsibility for something. Are the local units going to want to cede that authority through an authority to the county? Is the county going to have a majority of the votes? If not, then I would not be interested in doing it.”

— Mac Elliott, Berrien County Board of Commissioners Chair (wsjm.com)

What’s next

Commissioners asked Fette to draw up a plan while local governments consider passing resolutions of support, which is likely to start happening in the coming weeks.

The takeaway

Berrien County is facing a critical juncture for its public transportation system, with the potential loss of 150,000 annual rides if a solution is not found. The creation of a regional transit authority could help maintain and expand services, but the county must navigate the political challenges of getting local governments to agree to the new structure.