WAVE (Western-Washtenaw Area Value Express) will introduce service and fare changes beginning Oct. 1, including more frequent service in Chelsea and a new option for riders to request pickups off fixed routes.
“These changes come down to one thing: getting community members where they need to go while making every dollar count,” said Marie Gress, WAVE Executive Director. “Letting riders request a pickup off the fixed route puts more control in their hands, makes service more dependable, and helps us manage rising costs. As we mark 50 years of service, this update helps ensure WAVE is just as strong for the next 50.”
The changes come as WAVE marks 50 years of service to Greater Western Washtenaw.
Service Changes
More Frequent Service in Chelsea
The Chelsea Community Ride (CCR) will run every 30 minutes instead of every hour, with the first departure at 8:20 a.m. from CRC Campus. The CCR remains free for all riders.
Because buses deviate off-route to serve riders within Chelsea city limits, the CCR may run up to 15 minutes behind schedule. During CCR hours, door-to-door service will be reduced in Chelsea.
A New Way to Ride: Deviation Zones
Riders on WAVE’s deviated fixed routes can now request a deviation, asking the bus to come off its route to pick them up or drop them off at a location inside a designated Deviation Zone.
- Request a deviation through dispatch at (734) 475-9494 or [email protected], or in the RidePingo app
- Deviations are curb-to-curb; the bus meets riders at the curb rather than at the door
- Riders should be at their pickup location on time, as the bus cannot wait
- Deviation fares are $2 standard, $1 discounted
Deviation Zones apply to the Chelsea Community Ride (Chelsea city limits), the Jackson Road Connector, and the Community Connector. Maps and a full FAQ are posted at ridethewavebus.org. Riders who live inside a Deviation Zone are encouraged to plan their trips on the deviated fixed route during its service hours.
Jackson Road Connector: Updated Route and Schedule
The Jackson Road Connector (JRC) will run every 40 minutes to allow time for deviations and may run up to 10 minutes behind schedule. Weekday service runs from 6:30 a.m. to 6:32 p.m. between Woodview Commons, Scio Farms Main Entrance, UM West, and Meijer/AAATA.
Timepoints are published for the four primary stops, but WAVE still picks up riders at Willowtree & Stabler, Sunward Cohousing, Great Oak, and Lakestone. Riders at unpublished stops are encouraged to arrive a few minutes before the next published timepoint. Riders can download the RidePingo app to get real-time arrival times.
Community Connector: Same Schedule, Updated Deviation Zone
Service between Chelsea, Dexter and Scio is unchanged on weekdays and weekends. The Community Connector has an updated Deviation Zone and may run up to 10 minutes behind schedule to accommodate deviations.
Door-to-Door: Updated Hours
- City of Chelsea Door-to-Door: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- Washtenaw County Older Persons (60+): 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Riders 60 and older who live within Chelsea city limits are encouraged to use the Chelsea Community Ride during peak hours.
New Fares
The following fares take effect Oct. 1:
| Service | Standard | Discount* |
|---|---|---|
| Chelsea Community Ride (CCR) | Free | Free |
| CCR Deviation | $2 | $1 |
| Jackson Road Connector (JRC) | $2 | $1 |
| Community Connector (CC) — by distance | $2 – $4 | $1 – $2 |
| Door-to-Door — within Greater Western Washtenaw | $6 | $3 |
| Door-to-Door — anywhere in Washtenaw County | $10 | $5 |
*50% fare discounts are available to students (K-12), people with disabilities, non-Washtenaw County seniors (60+), and low-income riders who complete the WAVE ADVANTAGE form at ridethewavebus.org or through dispatch.
Washtenaw County residents 60 and older continue to ride free once registered, through the Older Persons’ Millage.
Monthly unlimited ride passes are not changing in price. The Greater Western Washtenaw pass remains $25, and the Unlimited Pass remains $45, available on WAVE’s website.
Why Fares Are Changing
Two factors shaped the new fare structure. Cities and townships within WAVE’s service area asked for fare adjustments to help offset rising operational costs and support long-term service reliability.
Separately, the Michigan House has encouraged transit agencies to move toward covering 6% of total revenue through fares; WAVE currently sits under 1%. The update is intended to help close that gap ahead of any future requirement, while keeping the Chelsea Community Ride free and holding monthly pass prices steady.
Riders who need help with fares can ask about the Pay It Forward Fund, supported by community donations to help keep rides affordable.
Upcoming Presentations
WAVE is holding public presentations for community members to learn who WAVE is, what services it provides, and the changes to service starting Oct. 1. Upcoming sessions include:
- Wednesday, Sept. 24, 11 a.m. — The Pines Community Room
- Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2 p.m. — Lakestone Apartments Clubhouse
- Thursday, Oct. 2, 3 p.m. — Chelsea Retirement Community, Pondview
- Wednesday, Oct. 8, 11 a.m. — Chelsea Senior Center
Riders can also download the RidePingo app to track buses in real time, book Door-to-Door rides, and request deviations.
Questions can be directed to WAVE dispatch at (734) 475-9494, [email protected], or ridethewavebus.org.
About WAVE
WAVE (Western-Washtenaw Area Value Express) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit public transportation provider founded in 1976, serving Greater Western Washtenaw with connections across Washtenaw County. WAVE offers Door-to-Door service, the Community Connector, the Chelsea Community Ride, the Jackson Road Connector, Late Night Chelsea, and group shuttle trips. WAVE’s mission is to provide safe, affordable, accessible transportation that improves independence, strengthens communities, and connects people to opportunities.
