New MATS Systems Start Monday, September 28, 2020
Please note, dates subject to change if COVID-19 conditions change.
Week of September 21 – Question and answer week with MATS Ambassadors on hand to help. Personnel will be at the Herman Ivory Terminal at various times that week to help.
September 28 – New routes and services start.
October 5 – Herman Ivory Terminal will reopen. Facility will be open for essential needs only (pass sales, travel questions, restrooms, vending machines) and limited to 20 minutes.
October 12 – Advance sales of monthly passes will resume and will only be available at the Herman Ivory Terminal or MATS Admin building. At that time, any March or April monthly passes can be exchanged for November passes. Any unused 10-ride or round-trip passes can be exchanged for single-ride passes.
November 2 – Fare collection will resume.
PLEASE NOTE:
Due to COVID-19, MATS continues to operate a reduced schedule at this time.
Only Routes 15, 25, 30, 50, 55, and 60 are running. Please use the Saturday schedules for current stop times.
Masks are required and practice social distancing as possible.
Thank you.
Upcoming Muskegon County Holidays (Buses will not run, MATS will be closed)
- Wed, Nov 11, 2020 – Veterans’ Day
- Thu, Nov 26, 2020 – Thanksgiving Day
- Fri, Nov 27, 2020 – Day after Thanksgiving
- Thu, Dec 24, 2020 – Christmas Eve
- Fri, Dec 25, 2020 – Christmas Day
- Thu, Dec 31, 2020 – New Year’s Eve
- Fri, Jan 1, 2021 – New Year’s Day
Why are routes changing?
MATS recently completed a study to identify how its routes could better serve the community within available resources.
The new routes offer more streamlined travel that will be quicker and have fewer transfers for many customers. The new routes will be easier for new passengers to understand.
Where and when do the new routes run?
The routes will run Monday-Friday, from approximately 7 am – 6 pm. The system is shown below.
Can I look at each Route's schedule?
Will there still be passes available?
Yes, fixed-route fares are not changing.
Passes will soon be available for purchase at the Herman Ivory Terminal and at the MATS Admin Building at 2624 Sixth Street. Due to COVID-19, drivers will not sell passes and any unused 10-ride passes will be exchanged for single-rides to reduce contact. More information on when fair collection will resume is forthcoming.
What if the new fixed routes no longer reach my area?
Call Reserve-A-Ride at 231-724-6420 if you live in the designated area. For those outside this area, we are working toward more far-reaching on-demand service to be available in the spring of 2021.
What if I want to travel on Saturday?
Call Reserve-A-Ride at 231-724-6420 if you live in the designated area. For those outside this area, we will have a more far-reaching on-demand service available starting April 1, 2021.
What is Reserve-A-Ride?
Reserve-A-Ride is intended for essential travel and is a prescheduled, curb-to-curb, shared-ride program that MATS will operate Monday through Saturday between 10:00 am and 5:00 pm, on a temporary basis from September 27, 2020, to March 31, 2021. This service is intended to meet interim community needs while we further develop a new on-demand service. Click HERE for complete program details.
Who can ride Reserve-A-Ride?
All general public (including seniors and those with disabilities) whose trips begin and end within the designated area described below, including those who:
- Used to ride GoBus
- Want to travel on a Saturday
- Need to transfer to the MATS Fixed Route System for areas not covered in the designated area, ie – The Lakes Mall, Mercy at the Lakes, etc.
Where does Reserve-A-Ride go?
The service area for the Reserve-A-Ride program is bounded geographically by Sheridan Drive on the east, Lake Michigan on the west, Muskegon Lake on the north and Mona Lake on the south, with service also available to the Muskegon County Airport and the VA Clinic on Hakes Drive.
How do I access Reserve-A-Ride?
To make a reservation starting September 15, 2020, contact the MATS Customer Care Center at 231-724-6420 and request the “Reserve-A-Ride” program during normal business hours, Monday-Friday, between 8 am and 5 pm. Reservations must be made on a next-day basis or up to two weeks in advance. Same-day trips may not be accommodated.
Fares
General Public – $4.00, per one-way trip, per person.
Senior/Reduced Fare $2.00
Please visit matsbus.com\fares for complete fare information and special provisions for those traveling west of Henry Street.
Can I still use my GoBus passes?
Yes! $2 GoBus passes will be accepted for Reserve-A-Ride.
What is the MATS ADA Complementary Paratransit Program?
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 requires that public entities which operate a fixed route transportation service also provide complementary paratransit services for individuals whose disabilities make them unable to use the fixed route system.
Who can use the MATS ADA Complementary Paratransit Program?
Only those certified through the ADA certification application process can use this program. The geographic area is limited to within ¾ mile of the MATS Fixed Route System and ADA only operates when routes are in service.
I am Disabled, Do I Qualify?
Perhaps, but only if you become certified to use the system. Eligibility is based on the individual’s abilities and any limitations resulting from disability. It is not based on a specific diagnosis. The individual’s disability(ies) and how it affects their functional ability to use fixed route bus service are the only criteria used in determining ADA Complementary Paratransit eligibility. For complete program information and eligibility, please click HERE.
How to I become ADA Certified?
Individuals may request an application for ADA Complementary Paratransit Certification by contacting the Paratransit Operations Manager at MATS at 231-724-6420.
Once the completed application is returned, MATS will forward the application to the contractor responsible for certification reviews. Additional eligibility information may be sought from a medical professional. A determination is normally returned within 14 days.
For complete program information, please click HERE
Where and When is Service Available?
MATS ADA Complementary Paratransit service will be provided during the same hours and days as MATS fixed-route bus services (currently Monday-Friday, 7 am – 5:51 pm). MATS ADA provides certified riders transportation to and from locations within ¾ mile of our fixed-route system. Reservations can be made up to two weeks in advance, or on a next-day basis.
What if I don't qualify for the ADA Service?
We encourage you to learn the Fixed-Route System as your first option. Otherwise, call Reserve-A-Ride at 231-724-6420.
