Written by Sara Swanson, The Manchester Mirror
Western-Washtenaw Area Value Express (WAVE) which provides five-day-a-week, door-to-door service for western Washtenaw residents to anywhere in the county and back, and Manchester’s only public transportation option, recently had to cut back services do to ongoing reductions in state and federal funding. The cut back that most affected Manchester area riders was that WAVE decreased the number of door-to-door drivers from nine to eight leading to increased wait times and decreased availability.
This weekend, Shasta Angell, WAVE’s Community Relations Coordinator, announced that Washtenaw County is providing WAVE with $333,333 of the Washtenaw County Older Persons Millage funds and that because of this, WAVE will be able to return to nine door-to-door drivers. But in addition, all Washtenaw County residents aged 60+ will ride WAVE for free starting September 15, 2025!
Because this funding reimburses WAVE for rides provided to eligible older adults 60+ residing in Washtenaw County, WAVE is finalizing a simple eligibility process and creating clear indicators for drivers to help identify who owes a fare and who does not by launching the WAVE ADVANTAGE Program. To make fares simple, fair, and fast at boarding, all riders are being asked to complete a brief eligibility form by November 1st. The form is available at https://ridethewavebus.org/advantage-card/.
After filling out the form, riders will receive a WAVE ADVANTAGE Card—which will let the driver know whether the rider receives a free, discounted, or regular fare. Additionally, as a non-profit, much of this information will also help them get grants for more vehicles, more drivers, and improved services. All the information collected stays with WAVE unless they explicitly ask permission to share select information.
Do you have questions, want to share feedback, or register for WAVE ADVANTAGE in person? Stop by a WAVE Community Day in Manchester which will happen every 4th Tuesday from 10am to 11:30am starting next month, October 28, 2025, at the Manchester Senior Center, 912 City Road, lower parking lot. Everyone is welcome, not just seniors.
WAVE’s Door-to-Door service is available Monday through Friday, from 6am to 9:30pm, and offers curb-to-curb rides anywhere in Washtenaw County. Rides for seniors are now free, and for non-seniors range from $.50 to $5 based on destination and riders’ age, student status, and/or disability status. To book a ride, call 734-475-9494, press 1 to schedule a ride today or tomorrow, or press 2 to schedule a ride more than one day in advance; email bookmyride@wavebus.org; or download the Ride Pingo app on your smartphone.
If you have questions or for more details about these changes, visit www.ridethewavebus.org or call 734-475-9494.
