Metropolitan Area Commuter System
Encyclopedia
Metropolitan Area Commuter System (MACS) is a public transport
agency in Fairbanks North Star Borough, Alaska
. The agency provides bus service for much of the urbanized Fairbanks Metropolitan Statistical Area, the northernmost such area in the US. MACS is part of the borough's transportation department.
campus, and Ladd Air Force Base, now Fort Wainwright
.
The Fairbanks North Star Borough began exploring the possibilities of offering public transit during the 1970s, when the population and economy of Fairbanks began exploding in conjunction with the construction of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline System
. Voters in the City of Fairbanks voted in 1976 to allow operation of transit buses by the FNSB over the streets of Fairbanks. The system began operating the following year.
A 1978 study recommended offering service to the outlying areas of the borough, including Ester
, Chena Ridge Road, Farmers Loop Road and Goldstream Road. These routes were implemented briefly during the mid-1980s, when abundant oil revenues to state government were readily available to Alaskan communities. Another route, serving Chena Hot Springs Road, was started by a private contractor and lasted somewhat longer, but still fell to budget cuts along with the aforementioned routes.
and adjacent urbanized areas.
MACS has six fixed routes identified by color. The red and blue routes provide loop service around urban Fairbanks in opposing directions, while the other routes connect to more outlying destinations. Only the Grey line does not connect to the Transit Center or overlap with other routes, requiring a transfer from either University of Alaska Fairbanks
(UAF) or Fred Meyer East to connect to other routes.
Routes should not be confused with the same colored shuttle routes on the UAF campus, where blue and red routes of both systems stop.
Tokens are also available from machines located at transfer points and the downtown transit center, costing $5 for five tokens, offering a savings of $0.50 per ride off adult fares.
Rides are offered free to University of Alaska Fairbanks
faculty, staff and students with a PolarExpress student ID card.
, service is prioritized by one's ADA status, not necessarily by need.
In 2011, an effort was initiated to privatize Van Tran. Spearheaded by conservative FNSB Assembly members Natalie Howard and Michael Dukes, the system's approximately $76 (US) per-ride cost was cited as justification. In the end, the system was left intact during budget deliberations, though this is expected to become a political issue in Fairbanks in the coming years.
Public transport
Public transport is a shared passenger transportation service which is available for use by the general public, as distinct from modes such as taxicab, car pooling or hired buses which are not shared by strangers without private arrangement.Public transport modes include buses, trolleybuses, trams...
agency in Fairbanks North Star Borough, Alaska
Alaska
Alaska is the largest state in the United States by area. It is situated in the northwest extremity of the North American continent, with Canada to the east, the Arctic Ocean to the north, and the Pacific Ocean to the west and south, with Russia further west across the Bering Strait...
. The agency provides bus service for much of the urbanized Fairbanks Metropolitan Statistical Area, the northernmost such area in the US. MACS is part of the borough's transportation department.
History
Prior to the formation of MACS, the public transit needs of Fairbanks were served, if at all, mostly by private operators. The longest-lasting of these was University Bus Lines, operated by Paul Greimann, Sr. University Bus Lines primarily provided service to and from Fairbanks, the University of AlaskaUniversity of Alaska Fairbanks
The University of Alaska Fairbanks, located in Fairbanks, Alaska, USA, is the flagship campus of the University of Alaska System, and is abbreviated as Alaska or UAF....
campus, and Ladd Air Force Base, now Fort Wainwright
Fort Wainwright
Fort Wainwright is a United States Army post adjacent to Fairbanks in the U.S. state of Alaska. It is part of the Fairbanks, Alaska Metropolitan Statistical Area.-History:...
.
The Fairbanks North Star Borough began exploring the possibilities of offering public transit during the 1970s, when the population and economy of Fairbanks began exploding in conjunction with the construction of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline System
Construction of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline System
The construction of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline System was a massive undertaking involving tens of thousands of people often in extreme temperatures and conditions. Specialized construction techniques were pioneered to build the pipeline, most of which rests in or on the permafrost that underlies the...
. Voters in the City of Fairbanks voted in 1976 to allow operation of transit buses by the FNSB over the streets of Fairbanks. The system began operating the following year.
A 1978 study recommended offering service to the outlying areas of the borough, including Ester
Ester, Alaska
Ester is a census-designated place in Fairbanks North Star Borough, Alaska, United States. It is part of the 'Fairbanks, Alaska Metropolitan Statistical Area'. The population was 2,422 at the 2010 census...
, Chena Ridge Road, Farmers Loop Road and Goldstream Road. These routes were implemented briefly during the mid-1980s, when abundant oil revenues to state government were readily available to Alaskan communities. Another route, serving Chena Hot Springs Road, was started by a private contractor and lasted somewhat longer, but still fell to budget cuts along with the aforementioned routes.
Routes
As with University Bus Lines, the core of MACS service has always been between downtown Fairbanks and the UAF campus. In general, the service has largely focused upon the cities of Fairbanks and North PoleNorth Pole, Alaska
North Pole is a small city in the Fairbanks North Star Borough, Alaska, United States. It is part of the Fairbanks, Alaska metropolitan statistical area. The U.S. Census Bureau estimated its population as of July 1, 2009 at 2,226. The name "North Pole" is often applied to the entire area covered...
and adjacent urbanized areas.
MACS has six fixed routes identified by color. The red and blue routes provide loop service around urban Fairbanks in opposing directions, while the other routes connect to more outlying destinations. Only the Grey line does not connect to the Transit Center or overlap with other routes, requiring a transfer from either University of Alaska Fairbanks
University of Alaska Fairbanks
The University of Alaska Fairbanks, located in Fairbanks, Alaska, USA, is the flagship campus of the University of Alaska System, and is abbreviated as Alaska or UAF....
(UAF) or Fred Meyer East to connect to other routes.
Routes should not be confused with the same colored shuttle routes on the UAF campus, where blue and red routes of both systems stop.
- Blue - Counter clockwise around urban Fairbanks starting and ending at the downtown Transit Center via the Johansen retail complex, Wedgewood, UAF, Fred Meyer west, Pioneer Park and Noel Wein Library.
- Red - Clockwise around urban Fairbanks roughly running the opposite route of the blue route.
- Green - Connects the transit center to North PoleNorth Pole, AlaskaNorth Pole is a small city in the Fairbanks North Star Borough, Alaska, United States. It is part of the Fairbanks, Alaska metropolitan statistical area. The U.S. Census Bureau estimated its population as of July 1, 2009 at 2,226. The name "North Pole" is often applied to the entire area covered...
via the Richardson HighwayRichardson HighwayThe Richardson Highway is a highway in the U.S. state of Alaska, running 368 miles from Valdez to Fairbanks. It is marked as Alaska Route 4 from Valdez to Delta Junction and as Alaska Route 2 from there to Fairbanks. It is also connects segments of Alaska Route 1 between the Glenn Highway and the...
and Badger Road.
- Purple - Local eastside service from the Transit Center down Cushman Street to Behavioral Center and back via Memorial Hospital. From there north to Johansen Expressway through the Johansen retail complex and back to the Transit Center.
- Yellow - From Transit Center to the Airport via the DMV, Jillian Square and Fred Meyer West, then to the Pump House via Fred Meyer West and UAF. Returns to the Transit Center via Fred Meyer West, Jillian Square and the DMV.
- Grey - Farmers Loop service from Fred Meyer east to UAF and back with six runs daily.
Fares
| Fare category | Single ride | Day pass | Monthly Pass |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adult | US $1.50 | US $3.00 | US $36 |
| Youth | US $0.75 | US $2.00 | US $18 |
| Active military | US $0.75 | US $2.00 | US $18 |
| Seniors (60+) | US $0.75 | US $2.00 | US $18 |
| Disabled | US $0.75 | US $2.00 | US $18 |
Tokens are also available from machines located at transfer points and the downtown transit center, costing $5 for five tokens, offering a savings of $0.50 per ride off adult fares.
Rides are offered free to University of Alaska Fairbanks
University of Alaska Fairbanks
The University of Alaska Fairbanks, located in Fairbanks, Alaska, USA, is the flagship campus of the University of Alaska System, and is abbreviated as Alaska or UAF....
faculty, staff and students with a PolarExpress student ID card.
Van Tran
While all MACS vehicles are wheelchair accessible, the transit system also operates van service for patrons unable to use the standard bus services. Vans provide door to door service. In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990
The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 is a law that was enacted by the U.S. Congress in 1990. It was signed into law on July 26, 1990, by President George H. W. Bush, and later amended with changes effective January 1, 2009....
, service is prioritized by one's ADA status, not necessarily by need.
In 2011, an effort was initiated to privatize Van Tran. Spearheaded by conservative FNSB Assembly members Natalie Howard and Michael Dukes, the system's approximately $76 (US) per-ride cost was cited as justification. In the end, the system was left intact during budget deliberations, though this is expected to become a political issue in Fairbanks in the coming years.