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/…