The Ann Arbor Area Transportation Authority has delivered on its promise to provide more service to more places this year with the introduction of FlexRide. It’s an exciting micro-transit pilot service for southeast Ypsilanti Township providing shared-rides to area residents beginning September 27th.
FlexRide offers a new way to get people where they need to go. “We are pleased to offer this pilot service in conjunction with our Five-Year Transit Improvement Plan. FlexRide provides more people in Ypsilanti Township better access to our transit system and allows them to get to doctor’s appointments, shopping, and other destinations easier,” Matt Carpenter, CEO of TheRide said.
The service is open to the public and operates Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and is $1 per trip (one-way), with discounts available for those who qualify. FlexRide provides rides within a designated area of southeast Ypsilanti Township and provides connections to Route 46 – Huron-Textile at the Paint Creek Shopping Center, Ypsilanti District Library and Ypsilanti Civic Center. Service is also provided to Lincoln Consolidated Schools from 9:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and 4:15 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., when school bus service is not operating.
TheRide has contracted with Metro On-Demand (MODE), a division of Golden Limousine, to operate the FlexRide pilot service. FlexRide will be accessible to individuals with disabilities and will be easily identifiable with both the FlexRide and MODE logos on the sides and the back of the vehicle. “Our partnership with TheRide is an important service enhancement in the communities where we operate. We are excited to be a part of this new pilot service,” Sean Duval, Owner and CEO of MODE and Golden Limousine said.
Rides can be reserved by calling 734-794-0377, by visiting MyFlexRide.org Car app. Reservations are accepted on a first-come first-serve basis between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday for the day before a trip, or at least 45 minutes in advance for same-day rides. If not all spots are reserved on a trip, you may walk-on at the Paint Creek Shopping Center connection point.
FlexRide is especially timely, since TheRide recently expanded Route 46 – Huron-Textile, doubling service in the northwest corner of the pilot service area up to Whittaker and Merritt Roads in Ypsilanti Township. This is one of many service improvements that have been made possible with the approval of the 2014 Transportation Improvement millage. Over the past four years, TheRide has added later weekday and weekend hours, increased frequency on most routes, and added new, more direct routes in an effort to help people access places they couldn’t previously get to.
