Luckily enough, I was coming back from a trip on DAX’s first day of operation, so I was excited to try out the new service for the first time.

Detroit has struggled for years with public transit, but improvements are being made.

TheRide's getDowntown initiative is inviting commuters to take part in its spring challenge.

May Mobility has partnered with global transit technology company Via to launch thousands of AVs around the world.

At the end of 2022, Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan promised a temporary fix after the City Council failed to approve a new contract.

Time points are being changed in order to improve reliability and on-time performance, the organization said in a release.

Mayor Mike Duggan is using his emergency powers to make sure the paratransit system doesn’t see massive cuts next year.

TheRide competed against other regional transit agencies that submitted projects designed to help with carbon reduction.

Buses and select services from the Ann Arbor Area Transportation Authority, TheRide, will not be operating on their normal fixed routes in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday.

Oakland County voters are being asked to vote on a 10-year transit millage which asks 0.95 mills per $1,000 in a home’s taxable value.

A plan to activate a railroad corridor that runs from Southeast Michigan to Traverse City and Petoskey has received new funding to advance planning stages.

A plan to activate a railroad corridor that runs from Southeast Michigan to Traverse City and Petoskey has received new funding to advance planning stages.

A significant expansion in transit is heading to the November ballot in Oakland County. If voters approve the 10-year county-wide public transit millage, communities will not be able to opt-out of the new system.

Community members will have several opportunities this summer to provide feedback on TheRide's upcoming budget proposal.

A new shuttle service to get people around Detroit’s Belle Isle has officially started.

Go MUVE app users can get one free ride as part of a new Independence Day promotion.

Several services will be temporarily paused in observance of Independence Day.

Residents can now receive blood draws without an appointment at Packard Health's new clinic.

AADL card holders can ride TheRide buses for free this summer.

For the first time since service was stopped in March of 2020, the Detroit People Mover will again, move people, starting on Friday.

The Memorial Day holiday will affect TheRide's services and buildings.

On Tuesday, the Ann Arbor Area Transportation Authority (TheRide), dropped its mask requirement after the Transportation Security Administration announced it would stop enforcing a federal mask mandate.

With gas prices -- and all prices -- at near record highs, some are turning to public transportation to save a few bucks.

You get on and the buses are clean, the drivers professional, and everyone is friendly. It felt like a carpool with friends.

Detroit’s beloved Opening Day celebration kicks off this Friday, bringing droves of baseball fans from all over to the downtown area.

A new mobile app launched by WAVE and MUVE aims to provide Washtenaw County residents with more robust transit options.

See how the Easter holiday will affect TheRide's buses in the Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti area.

Detroit’s QLINE will remain free to ride through the summer months and riders can now take advantage of a rewards program for local businesses.

Gas prices are through the roof around the U.S., and in Michigan, but the cost of using public transportation hasn’t changed. Most may not even realize the options that are available to them.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer will propose a $1 billion, or nearly 20%, boost to Michigan’s transportation budget to repair roads and increase other spending.

Starting Thursday, the Ann Arbor Area Transportation Authority (TheRide) is reducing bus services on select routes and suspending route 68.

TheRide says its real-time tools are back up and running for customers.

Detroit’s QLINE has extended its free fare period until April 2022. It was going to expire at the end of 2021.

TheRide announced it will pause several of its services in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday.

TheRide is seeking feedback from community members to help shape its vision for the next 25 years.

Community members venturing out of their homes can now use buses from the Ann Arbor Area Transportation Authority (TheRide) for non-essential trips.

The Ann Arbor Area Transportation Authority (TheRide) is asking for public feedback on its Fare Proposal, which outlines future fare changes for different passes and services.

On Tuesday, TheRide sent out an email reminding users about the mask requirement.

Reduced routes, part of TheRide’s temporary service plan, will resume on Tuesday, June 1.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – On Monday, the Ann Arbor Area Transportation Authority (TheRide) will host the first of several virtual meetings to talk to the public about its new service plan. Starting in August, the plan will affect all of TheRide’s bus routes as well as its A-Ride, GoldRide, FlexRide and Night/Holiday services. Changes presented by the proposal include reinstating some routes, adding select weekend services, revising routes to serve different areas and eliminating route variations. Meetings for public feedback will be held this week at noon on Monday and Wednesday, and at 6 p.m. on Tuesday. Additional meetings will be at 6 p.m. on March 30, noon on March 31 and at 6 p.m. on April 1.

ANN ARBOR – The Ann Arbor Area Transportation Authority (TheRide) has partnered with the Washtenaw County Health Department to provide transportation to and from the county’s mass COVID vaccination site at Eastern Michigan University’s Convocation Center. Service began on Wednesday and anyone who has a scheduled appointment at the EMU site can use the shuttles. “This is an important step in making our mass vaccination site at EMU more accessible. We’re thankful to the TheRide for working with us to provide transportation at no cost to riders,” Loveluck said in a news release. The shuttles operate every 30 minutesThe shuttles are limited to 20 individuals per vehicle.

Costly carsThe Great Lakes State -- the undisputed birthplace of automobile manufacturing -- is the most expensive state for car ownership, according to data from Move.org. It costs about $5,264.58 every year to own a car in the United StatesThe average Michigan resident pays $9,304.28 every year for their car. Look at this stunning gap between Michigan and the next most expensive state to own a car, Florida:That’s a gap of more than $2,000 annually. Compared to this, Michigan’s minimum insurance cost of $5,740 seems incredibly expensive, according to the data. As you probably know by now, car insurance is so expensive in Michigan because the state requires the most expensive minimum coverage levels in the country.

ANN ARBOR – Starting on Monday, April 26, Michigan Flyer-AirRide will be restoring its daily service between East Lansing, Brighton, Ann Arbor and Detroit Metro Airport. The restoration is made possible by funding the bus service secured through the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act. In order to help prevent the risk of person-to-person transmission of the coronavirus, cash payments will not be accepted. If you’re boarding in Ann Arbor, tickets may be purchased with cash inside the Blake Transit Center during business hours. Cleaning and sanitizing buses daily, with special attention to high-touch areas.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – Interested in working with public transportation? The Ann Arbor Area Transportation Authority (TheRide) is looking to add three new, full-time members to its service crew. New service crew members will work afternoon shifts with hours between 4 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. and on weekends, according to the job posting. During their training, members will be paid $17.74 per hour. After training, members will receive hourly pay of $21.29, which will increase to $24.60 after one year of employment.

ANN ARBOR – The Ann Arbor Area Transportation Authority (TheRide) announced it is updating its Temporary Service Plan to include restoring service in Ypsilanti and to improve on-time performance on a number of routes starting on Jan. 17. Route 22Adjust routing headed to the Blake Transit Center from the Glen Ave/Fuller Rd area to Beakes Ave and Fifth Ave to serve Kerrytown. Route 23Adjust routing in downtown Ann Arbor from William St to Washington St and Thayer St to reach the U-M Central Campus Center. Service to U-M Central Campus will be provided via Route 23. Route 26Move boarding location at the Blake Transit Center from Fourth Ave. to the transit mall.

ANN ARBOR – The Ann Arbor Area Transportation Authority announced it will not operate its services on Dec. 25 and Jan. 1, 2021 in observance of Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. Fixed-route bus service will end early on Christmas Eve (Dec. 24) and New Year’s Eve (Dec. 31). The shared-ride FlexRide Holiday Service is $5 per person on holidays and operates within designated areas of Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti. Reservations can be made Monday through Friday and stop at 5:15 a.m. or 5 a.m. for trips outside of Ann Arbor. On Saturday and Sunday, reservations can be made until 6:15 a.m. or 6 a.m. for trips outside of Ann Arbor.

ANN ARBOR – The city of Ann Arbor released Tuesday the results of its 2020 Citizen Survey, which asked 2,700 randomly selected residents over the summer to share their opinions on quality of life, city services and amenities. Here’s how they responded to the NCS Community Livability Report:90% of the respondents rated Ann Arbor as an “excellent” or “good” place to live. Respondents rated Ann Arbor’s walkability and bus or transit services as “exceptional” and higher than other cities around the country. Roughly 8 in 10 residents said the overall economic health of Ann Arbor was strong. To see the report’s complete survey responses, detailed survey methods, survey and benchmark comparisons, click here.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – On Thursday, Nov. 26, the Ann Arbor Area Transportation Authority (TheRide) will not offer any of its fixed-route bus service, FlexRide East/West or A-Ride services during the Thanksgiving holiday. Community members needing to get around that Thursday can use TheRide’s FlexRide Holiday Service -- a shared-ride service that operates on designated holidays. The holiday service will operate from 6 a.m. to 9:15 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 26. Trips can be taken to designated areas in Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti andFind designated FlexRide Holiday Service areas here. TheRide does not operate service on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 26.

ANN ARBOR – The Ann Arbor Area Transportation Authority has announced that it will begin restoring service next month after implementing its Temporary Service Plan in August. According to TheRide, the service updates that begin Sunday, Nov, 22 include:Route 22: The boarding location at the Blake Transit Center will be relocated. Route 25: The route that starts at the Blake Transit Center will be adjusted to serve Target on Waters Rd. FlexRide-East: Weekend service is being added to the FlexRide-East service area in Ypsilanti Township. “We continue to take a very cautious approach to adding back service,” Bryan D. Smith, Deputy CEO of Operations at TheRide said in a statement.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – The Ann Arbor Area Transportation Authority (TheRide) is getting eight replacement buses for its fleet. The first of the new buses has arrived and TheRide is inviting the Ann Arbor community to give feedback on what they like and don’t like about the new bus. Manufactured by Nova Bus, each new bus has larger windows, a back window, more spacious seating, a designated stroller area, floor markings, full-sized windows on the rear doors and antimicrobial seats. The replacement buses include USB charging ports, push buttons instead of pull cords, internal and external security cameras and destination headsigns. Riders will notice that the bodies of the Nova Bus buses have been designed to reflect the TheRide logo and have large front windshields and front-side windows.

ANN ARBOR – The Ann Arbor Area Transportation Authority (TheRide) announced this week that it has launched a new contactless mobile ticketing app called EZfare to make riding public transit more convenient and safer amid the global health crisis. TheRide joins 13 other transit agencies from around the Midwest that use the mobile payment system which is powered by service provider Masabi. EZfare is now the largest mobile ticketing platform in the country. Users can download the app for free from the App Store or Google Play. The app operates as a Ticket Wallet and upon boarding, users simply have to show the driver their active ticket on their phone screen.

DETROIT The Detroit Department of Transportation (DDOT) will receive a $64.3 million grant to support transit operations and employees amid the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. We know many of our nations public transportation systems are facing extraordinary challenges and these funds will go a long way to assisting our transit industry partners in battling COVID-19, said Federal Transit Administration Acting Administrator K. Jane Williams. The grants support coronavirus response efforts under the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act. A safety advisory was issued in addition to the funding, requiring transit agencies to implement cleaning and PPE policies and procedures amid the pandemic. MORE CORONAVIRUS NEWS

ANN ARBOR – TheRide has announced new social distancing measures in an effort to slow the spread of COVID-19. From signs to keep riders separated to a maximum capacity of 15 riders, the Ann Arbor Area Transportation Authority is taking extra precautions to keep its riders and drivers safe. The new measures include:Signs to keep riders 6 feet from each other are on bus seats, on benches, buildings and shelters at Transit CentersA yellow line on the bus floor marks 6 feet between the driver and ridersEach bus is now at full capacity when 15 riders have boarded. ✉ Like what you’re reading? Sign up for our email newsletter here!

DETROIT – Service was shut down on Tuesday after Detroit Department of Transportation (DDOT) bus drivers refused to drive routes due to coronavirus concerns. UPDATE: Mayor Duggan: DDOT bus rides will be free, service to resume WednesdayWatch it live below:“(The CDC) already said not more than 10 people in a setting. No hand sanitizer, no gloves from the department,” said Schetrone Collier, a DDOT bus driver. Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan announced DDOT bus service will be shut down Tuesday morning. Duggan said the drivers expressed concerns including the health of passengers, the cleanliness of buses and how they have lost access to public restrooms.