Department: Metro Transit
Contact: Kelly Vander Kley
Phone: (269) 337-8479
Email: vanderkleyk@kalamazoocity.org

On Monday, November 2, passengers accustomed to climbing aboard a bus or van heading throughout Kalamazoo County or along a bus route to get where they are going will still do exactly that. They will pay the same fares they are used to paying. They will see many of the same people they are used to riding with and probably even some new faces. Not much will change.

The logo on the side of the vehicle will be different and there will be a different phone number to call to schedule a ride, although the current phone numbers will still work for a while.

On November 2, the Care-A-Van and Metro Van services will merge into one all-inclusive service to be called Metro County Connect.

What this really means to passengers who rely on these demand-response services is possibly increased availablility during scheduling. What it means to the Metro Transit System is much greater efficiency.

Fewer vehicles will be traveling to the same locations and more people will be on-board each vehicle as it travels.

November 2 will also be the start date for a new contractor, the Apple Bus Company, to provide the demand-response service to the community. Several new vehicles will be used in the service beginning November 2 as well.

It is expected that passengers will experience a very smooth transition between the services they are currently used to and the new Metro County Connect service.

People who are currently certified to use the Metro Van or Care-A-Van services will remain certified to use the Metro County Connect service at the same rates they are currently using on November 2. Currently certified passengers will be receiving information in the mail regarding scheduling telephone numbers and procedures in October.

If you would like to become certified or have additional questions, please call 337-8477.

The mission of Kalamazoo Metro Transit is to provide the community with public transportation services that are dependable, convenient, safe, cost effective, and accessible for all.