Grand Traverse and Leelanau County voters approved a millage increase for Bay Area Transportation Authority (BATA) in a special election Tuesday.

Preliminary vote tallies with all precincts reporting showed 9,076 voters voted yes for the millage increase, while 7,374 voters voted no. The millage request received support from a majority of voters in both Leelanau and Grand Traverse counties. The five-year, .5 mill millage rate from 2018 to 2022 represented an increase over BATA's existing millage rate of .3447.

The millage is expected to raise $3.5 million in 2018 for BATA, which has said it will use the funds toward replacing its aging fleet, maintaining facilities, and making shelter and stop improvements. BATA also plans to invest in several new services for riders, including a long-discussed downtown Traverse City loop featuring bus service every 15 minutes, expanded Park-n-Ride options, technology upgrades – including mobile payment options, real-time bus tracking, and online scheduling and purchasing of rides – and expanded rural service.

Leelanau County voters also approved an operating millage renewal for Leland Public School by a 499 to 169 margin. The school district was seeking a renewal of its 10.9013 mill levy, which is required for the school district to receive its revenue per pupil foundation guarantee from the state.