Ride the WAVE: Western-Washtenaw’s Community Connector

Transportation is essential for access to basic needs like food and medical care. Thanks to Western-Washtenaw’s Area Value Express (WAVE), community members can depend on affordable and reliable transportation that is in some cases, saving lives.

“At the farmer’s market, a lady came up to me to say, ‘WAVE saved my mom’s life,’” said Shasta Angell, community relations coordinator at WAVE. “Her mom needed dialysis, and no one was able to give her rides, so WAVE took her to the appointments.”

“Our dispatcher remembered them and said, the mother only had a few months left to live when they called— but she lived a year longer than that.”

To accommodate every need, WAVE offers specialized transportation services to seniors and people with disabilities. Their staff participates in annual training to ensure everyone can access their low-cost door-to-door transportation and bus routes.

BARRIERS TO MOBILITY

Recently, WAVE expanded their western-Washtenaw service area to include Grass Lake, Waterloo, Unadilla, Putnam and Pickney.

Chelsea has a higher rate of ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained and Employed) than Washtenaw County overall. In Chelsea, 41% of households are unable to afford all their basic needs.

“Chelsea has been and continues to be our hottest spot, closely followed by Scio Township, and then, Sylvan Township,” said Marie Gress, executive director at WAVE. “In Sylvan, we service many from the St. Louis Center, a community for people with developmental disabilities, who often ride WAVE to work at the Dollar Tree, shop at the supermarket, or hang out at the library.”

Transportation for one single adult costs $462 monthly, according to the ALICE survival budget. For a family of four, it’s more than double that amount at $1,113. When paychecks don’t cover food, utilities and rent, these costs can feel impossible.

“It’s our vision that within our communities, all people will have access to all places,” said Marie.

Operating within that vision, WAVE guarantees a 50% discount on all fares for low-income individuals, seniors (60+), people with disabilities and students (K-12).

OPEN TO ALL

WAVE buses are supporting the entire Western-Washtenaw community, including caregivers, students and those who have alternative means of transport. Rides allow everyone to reclaim critical time.

“I used to drive my loved one 20 minutes to their 2-hour program, 20 minutes home, then 20 minutes to get them and 20 minutes back home,” said one caregiver. “Thanks to WAVE, I now have almost 4 hours three days a week to myself for errands, chores, and coffee or even a movie with a friend— definitely couldn’t do that before!”

WAVE is available to bring riders to everything from work and class to hair appointments and social gatherings. Local students have already begun to make use of the affordable rides.

“I can drive but I started to use WAVE to get to and from Eastern Michigan University because it is a lower cost than driving myself and I can study, read, or wrap up homework on the way,” said one student. “I ended the semester with all A’s.”

Interested in riding the WAVE? Check out their coverage area and routes online. Book a door-to-door ride by calling (734) 475-9494, emailing  book.my.ride@wavebus.org or through their app, Ride Pingo.