Transportation
The Commission on Aging has transportation available to those 60 years of age and older and community members with disabilities. We have busses and vans that are all wheel chair accessible and have room for those who have walkers. More information below.
What errands can I run with the COA Transit System?
- Grocery Store/Local farmers markets & food pantries
- Local Events or Classes
- Banks and Post Offices
- Restaurants
- Many more! Call and ask
Contact Information
Transportation Phone Number: 231-689-2100 x1
*If no one answers, please leave a message with your name and number.
- Information required for each transit ride.
- Passengers name, phone number and home address.
- Date and address of drop off location.
- Time to be picked up, time that you need to arrive by, and return time.
- Will you be accompanied by a Personal Care Attendant or a loved one.
- Any mobility restrictions to take into consideration.
Hours of Operation
The COA’s transportation program operates Monday through Friday.
- The earliest scheduled pickup is 7:00 A.M.
- The latest pickup is 4:45 P.M.
- The earliest scheduled pick-up for to essential medical appointment subscription service is 5:00 A.M. No more than 1 vehicle will be scheduled for early pickup each day.
- Regular operating hours apply to out-of-service area trips.
Reservations
The Commission on Aging offers a demand responsive system in which riders must request service by contacting the Commission on Aging to schedule a ride. Because the COA provides transportation services to a population that has a greater need for medical care, reservations are prioritized based on the trip’s purpose.
a) Reservations for medical appointments may be made up to 30 days prior to the ride.
b) Reservations for all other reasons may be made up to 7 days prior to the ride.
c) Reservations will be accepted up to the time the ride is needed if there is a resource available.
Passengers requesting transportation to destinations that are not time critical will be asked for a requested pick-up time, which will be negotiated based on vehicle availability. Passengers requesting transportation to destinations that are time critical will be asked for a required arrival time. Passengers should set an arrival time at least 15 minutes prior to the scheduled appointment.
Passengers will be provided with a 30-minute pick-up window, 15 minutes either side of the scheduled pick-up time. Passengers should watch for the vehicle and be ready to depart during the pick-up window. Drivers will wait a maximum of 10 minutes for passengers to appear.
Emergency and Non-Emergency Medical Transportation
The COA does not provide transportation to persons requiring urgent medical care at hospital emergency rooms or urgent care clinics. Persons requiring emergency or urgent medical care should contact emergency services by calling 911.
Transportation Donations
Many of the COA services are offered at no cost for those 60 and older, but your donations to support our programs are appreciated. Your services will not be denied if you do not donate to the program.
The suggested donation amounts for COA services offered at no cost are listed below. If you would like your donation amount to correspond with the specific service you receive, this information can be provided upon request.
- Volunteer Transportation $20.00 for a round trip out of county
Commission on Aging employees are not allowed to accept cash donations, tips, or gifts. We appreciate your continued support.
Transit Fares
The Commission on Aging’s transit system has a graduated fare system intended to ensure the system remains available to older adults and persons with disabilities while offering some transportation options to persons who do not fall into one of these categories.
COA Fares System
| Persons 60 years of age and older | Fare Free |
| Persons with a disability | Fare Free |
| Persons 11 years of age or under traveling with a person who is 60 years of age or older | Fare Free |
| Persons traveling with a person who is 60 years of age or older or disabled and acting as a personal care attendant (PCA) for the fare-free eligible passenger. Limited to one PCA per passenger. | Fare Free |
| Persons older than 12 years of age but less than 60 years of age who are not disabled. | $2.00 |
| Persons 11 years of age and under who are not traveling with a person who is 60 years of age or older or a person with a disability | $1.00 |
The fare applies to each trip. A trip is defined as each time a person boards the transit vehicle with the intent of traveling to another location. For example:
- A person boards a bus at their home traveling to Walmart = 1 trip.
- The bus stops at an ATM on the way to Walmart = 1 trip.
- The person boards a bus at Walmart and travels to Aldi = 1 trip.
- The person boards a bus at Aldi and travels home = 1 trip.
Short stops such as a stop at an ATM or fast-food restaurant count as a trip and incur an additional fare charge.
