TheRide Introduces Expanded Service and Implements Fall Schedules August 27

Effective Sunday, August 27, 2017, the Ann Arbor Area Transportation Authority is introducing expanded service options in Scio and Ypsilanti Townships, implementing its fall service schedule and modifying service on 12 routes.

In Ypsilanti Township, TheRide is expanding service on Route 46 — Huron-Textile to serve Hitchingham, Merritt and Whittaker roads and will serve Huron River Drive and Textile in both directions. Starting later this Fall, FlexRide, a new pilot service will provide shared-ride transportation in southeastern Ypsilanti Township between Textile, Rawsonville, Bemis and Whittaker roads and connect to Route 46 at Paint Creek Shopping Center. Details about FlexRide service will be made available at MyFlexRide.org. Plans for a new express route between Ypsilanti Township and Ann Arbor are underway with service scheduled to begin in early 2018.

TheRide is also coordinating expanded service with Western-Washtenaw Value Express (WAVE) in Scio Township. The WAVE Community Connector route will provide service every 60 minutes on Jackson Rd. between Zeeb and Baker Roads and connect with TheRide’s Route 30 — Jackson at Meijer on Zeeb Road.

“The WAVE Team is excited to be able to add service frequency in this area. It will improve connections throughout the corridor and make it possible for more people to reach employment centers and businesses along the Jackson Road corridor,” said WAVE Executive Director, Michaelene Pawlak.

Route modifications and schedule revisions will improve connections to businesses and neighborhoods using Route 32 — Miller-Maple in Ann Arbor.  The timing between buses along Miller Road will be improved and more direct service to South Maple between Stadium and Liberty will be added.

Route 41 - EMU College of Business Shuttle and Route 62 — UM-State will return to their seasonal schedules. Schedules for AirRide, service between Ann Arbor and Detroit Metropolitan Airport are being adjusted to better coordinate with changes in airline schedules.

As part of its scheduled service assessment, TheRide evaluated and received customer feedback on proposed route adjustments earlier this year. Most of the service modifications are to provide better connections and improve service performance. “Feedback from our riders is a key element of our service evaluation process and we appreciate everyone that took the time to provide their input,” Mary Stasiak, manager of community relations at TheRide said.

There is ongoing construction scheduled that may impact TheRide’s service. Sign up for TheRide’s MyAlerts system to receive up to date information on service information including detours. The MyAlerts system lets you specify which route(s) to receive information.