Battle Creek Transit Earns Perfect FTA Review

BATTLE CREEK, Mich. – Battle Creek Transit has achieved a perfect score in its 2026 Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Triennial Review, receiving zero deficiencies across all areas examined by the federal review team.

The achievement is the first perfect FTA Triennial Review in Battle Creek Transit’s history and represents the culmination of a deliberate, multi-year effort to strengthen compliance, accountability, organizational structure, and operational practices.

It also comes at a pivotal point in the evolution of public transportation in Calhoun County. Effective October 1, 2025, public transportation services previously operated by Battle Creek Transit transitioned to the Transportation Authority of Calhoun County (TACC), operating as Ride Calhoun. The work undertaken at Battle Creek Transit helped establish the foundation for the newly created countywide authority.

“Public transportation involves far more than placing vehicles and drivers on the road,” said Mallory Avis, Executive Director of TACC. “Behind every trip are extensive systems, policies, records, controls, training programs, safety practices, financial processes, maintenance procedures, civil rights protections, accessibility requirements, and administrative responsibilities that must work together every day.”

The FTA Triennial Review is a rigorous examination of federally funded transit agencies conducted every three years. The review evaluates compliance across 23 federal regulatory and program areas, including financial management, procurement, civil rights, maintenance, safety, Americans with Disabilities Act requirements, drug and alcohol programs, transit asset management, cybersecurity, and other areas of transit administration and operations.

When the City of Battle Creek’s transit system was reviewed in 2019, Battle Creek Transit received eight deficiencies. By 2023, that number had been reduced to two deficiencies in a single focus area. In 2026, the system achieved zero findings—the highest outcome possible.

“This result is about much more than achieving a perfect score,” said Avis. “It demonstrates what can happen when an organization commits to continuous improvement and is willing to fundamentally change the way it operates. We didn't simply want to preserve what Battle Creek Transit had always done—we needed to build an organization capable of supporting the future of public transportation in Calhoun County.”

The result also provides the community with a look at the work taking place behind the scenes. While changes to the transit system may not always be visible to the public, staff and organizational leaders have been working to ensure that the system is not only providing service, but doing so responsibly, safely, efficiently, and in compliance with all applicable federal requirements.

“People see the bus arrive, the driver provide service, and the passenger reach a destination,” Avis said. “What they may not see are the many layers of work required to make that trip possible. There are systems behind the service, and those systems have to be maintained, documented, monitored, and continuously improved. This review confirms that we were doing that work across all 23 regulatory areas.”

Over the past several years, Battle Creek Transit underwent significant organizational change as the community worked toward the creation of TACC. That process required more than transferring existing practices into a new organization. It involved strengthening systems and controls, addressing compliance requirements, establishing new governance and administrative structures, improving documentation and oversight, and developing the organizational framework necessary for a countywide transit authority.

“The transition to the Transportation Authority required us to be intentional about building the organization from the ground up,” Avis said. “We had to ask not only whether something had worked in the past, but whether it was the right structure, process, or practice for the organization we were trying to build. The progression from eight deficiencies to two and ultimately to zero provides documented evidence that those efforts were making a difference.”

The perfect review is particularly notable because it was achieved during a period of substantial organizational transition—when changes in leadership, governance, funding, policies, technology, service delivery, and administrative responsibilities could have created opportunities for important requirements or processes to be overlooked.

Instead, the review demonstrates continued attention to compliance and continuous improvement throughout the transition.

“This is an accomplishment that reflects the dedication of our staff and the strength of the systems they put in place,” said Amanda Zimmerlin, City Manager for the City of Battle Creek. “The City is proud that Battle Creek Transit is closing this chapter with the highest possible federal review outcome. At the same time, we recognize that the work undertaken over the past several years was about preparing public transportation for its next chapter.”

The Transportation Authority of Calhoun County was established to create a coordinated and sustainable public transportation system serving participating communities throughout Calhoun County.

“The goal was never simply to create a new name or a new organizational structure,” said Erick Stewart, TACC Board Chair. “We were building a new organization designed to serve our communities for decades to come. That required a strong foundation in compliance, governance, accountability, and operational excellence. This review is an important confirmation that the work to build that foundation was successful.”

While the FTA does not publicly publish statistics showing what percentage of agencies achieve zero deficiencies in their Triennial Reviews, a review with no findings represents the highest possible outcome.

For Battle Creek Transit, the result provides a fitting conclusion to its history as a City-operated transit system. For Ride Calhoun, it provides something equally important: a documented benchmark for the organization’s commitment to continuous improvement and responsible public service.

“Battle Creek Transit closes its chapter with a perfect federal review,” Avis said. “Ride Calhoun begins its next chapter with that standard as its foundation. We are incredibly proud of what the team accomplished, and even more excited about what it allows us to build from here.”

The City of Battle Creek and TACC congratulate the employees, leadership, and partners whose work contributed to this achievement and recognize the significance of this milestone in the evolution of public transportation in Calhoun County.

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The Transportation Authority of Calhoun County (TACC), operating as Ride Calhoun, provides public transportation services to participating communities throughout Calhoun County. Ride Calhoun offers fixed-route, paratransit, and on-demand transportation services designed to connect residents with employment, education, health care, shopping, and other essential destinations.

Battle Creek Transit provided public transportation services to the Battle Creek community for decades before its operations transitioned to the Transportation Authority of Calhoun County in 2026. Its legacy of service, innovation, and commitment to the community provides the foundation for the next chapter of public transportation in Calhoun County.