Public transportation has traditionally been viewed as solely an urban resource or for those who have no other viable option. As we move forward, it is being further recognized as a critical asset by universities, business leaders, economic developers, tourism experts, and local governments as a vital link for the entire population to unlock our vast regional resources.
The common denominator for people of all demographics is their need to get places. Whether it is work, school, the store, everyone needs transportation. A region can have everything its population may want; natural beauty, great jobs, a strong workforce, family entertainment — but if we cannot efficiently move people from one place to another, we will never reach our full potential as a region, or state.
Many industries are using technological advances to the benefit of their business and the transportation industry is no different. In both the private and public sector, these rapid technological advancements coupled with a surge of younger residents moving to more urban areas, are creating a need for a modernized, efficient regional transit. The way we address this issue has the potential to benefit Southwest Michigan beyond just transportation needs.
The relatively new ridesharing business model is another essential piece of modern transportation infrastructure. The ability to connect though smart phone apps paves the way for businesses like Lyft and Uber to meet regional transportation needs in an entirely new way. This level of mobility can be a game-changer for a region like ours.
The vision of county-wide public transportation will be the subject of a groundbreaking study beginning this month. This development is extremely encouraging for those who believe that public transportation has a critical place when it comes to regional transportation options.
Many business and political leaders in our region agree that the modern ridesharing model is a must-have. Michigan is now in a minority of states that do not have legislation with a basic framework that enables these businesses to operate. Because of this, individual jurisdictions must develop their own regulatory framework causing either variations from one jurisdiction to the next, or a complete absence of rules altogether — making regional coverage nearly impossible.
Both public transportation and private ridesharing companies are advancing in ways that force us to completely re-envision our entire outlook on regional transit. We owe it to our students, our young professionals, our business leaders and our workers to find a modern, efficient, safe and affordable way to move throughout Southwest Michigan.

Sen. John Proos, R-St. Joseph, represents southwest Michigan.