Bay City Bridge Partners has sparked considerable backlash after announcing a doubling of the unlimited monthly pass cost for the city’s Independence and Liberty bridges. The price is set to jump to $30 per month, and the company has stated this program will be discontinued entirely in July, according to their recent public statement.
The decision by Bay City Bridge Partners has been met with strong disapproval from city officials. Mayor Chris Girard voiced the sentiments of many residents, stating, “My role as mayor is to be the voice of our residents. The people of Bay City deserve better, and I will do everything in my power to push for solutions that prioritize fairness, transparency, and accountability.” His statement highlights the growing tension between the community and Bay City Bridge Partners.
Efforts to gain clarity from Bay City Bridge Partners have been met with limited direct engagement. Kevin Bischel, General Manager at Bay City Bridge Partners, responded to inquiries from MLive/The Bay City Times by simply sharing the company’s social media announcement, avoiding direct answers regarding the timing and justification for the price increase. This lack of direct communication has further fueled public frustration.
Related Coverage: Bay City bridge pass cost doubles, program ending in July
Bay City has four bascule-style bridges, with the Independence and Liberty bridges being owned by the city and leased to United Bridge Partners and their subsidiary, Bay City Bridge Partners, since 2022. Tolls began on the Liberty Bridge over a year ago, with the Independence Bridge recently implementing tolls at the start of this year. The concept of tolls has been largely unpopular, and Bay City Bridge Partners’ latest announcement has amplified this negative sentiment.
Commissioner Chris Runberg of the 7th Ward described the announcement as unexpected, stating it “came out of nowhere.” Echoing this sentiment, other commissioners have taken to social media to express their discontent with Bay City Bridge Partners. Commissioner Stephen Prince from the 1st Ward criticized the financial impact on citizens, writing on Facebook, “BCBP’s decision to drastically increase their prices will result in significant financial hardship to the citizens. Increasing their prices 100% is unethical money grab.” He also indicated plans to discuss potential actions with colleagues and city administration.
Commissioner Craig Kokaly of the 2nd Ward added to the chorus of disapproval, stating, “I’m not happy about an increase let alone 100%. We will discuss tonight to see if there is something that can be done.” These comments underscore the unified front of city officials against the recent decision by Bay City Bridge Partners.
Further criticism comes from 6th Ward Commissioner Alex Dewitt, who has been a long-standing critic of the agreement with United Bridge Partners. Dewitt characterized the announcement as “Another slap in the face from an organization that claimed to want to build trust and be a community partner,” highlighting a perceived breach of trust between Bay City Bridge Partners and the community.
The business community is also voicing concerns. Bay Future Inc., an organization focused on city and regional development, expressed their “disappointment regarding the recent price increase.” In their statement, they noted, “This change seems to disregard the needs of businesses and residents who rely on the convenience of the unlimited plan for frequent travel. The abrupt rate increases and cancellation of the unlimited option for new customers adds to our frustration.” This highlights the broader economic implications of Bay City Bridge Partners’ decision, extending beyond individual commuters to impact local businesses and regional economic development.
Bay City residents and officials are now grappling with the implications of this significant price hike and the impending end of the unlimited pass program by Bay City Bridge Partners, seeking viable solutions and expressing strong desires for fairer and more transparent practices from the bridge operator.
