ANN ARBOR, MI – The Ann Arbor Area Transportation Authority (TheRide) has announced that effective August 29, 2021, service levels will be restored to pre-pandemic levels. All routes and services have been adjusted to better serve the community. Face masks will continue to be required until further notice, per an order from the Transportation Security Administration (TSA).

TheRide has been providing essential services throughout the pandemic using a temporary service plan with adjustments made as the situation continued to be evaluated. The final service plan set to begin August 29 has been developed using feedback from riders and the community during a public engagement process held in March and June of this year. 

“We appreciate the community’s patience as we focused on essential travel and reduced service during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic,” Forest Yang, Deputy CEO of Planning and Innovation at TheRide said. “Since March 2020 we have had to quickly and frequently assess the community’s essential transportation needs as well as what was best for the safety and protection of our employees and riders. We are happy to announce that our service is being restored to pre-pandemic levels. We thank everyone who took the time to provide feedback during our public comment periods.”

All Routes and services that are part of the current temporary service plan as well as those that were operated prior to the pandemic are being adjusted.  TheRide encourages all travelers to plan their trips ahead by visiting TheRide.org or calling 734-996-0400.   

Due to the changing nature of the COVID-19 pandemic and workforce availability, service adjustments may be made. Get the most up to date information and sign up for TheRide’s Service Alerts at TheRide.org.

To help reduce the spread of COVID-19, TheRide continues to enforce the established preventive measures to keep both riders and drivers safe:

• Customers are required to wear a face covering, per federal law until further notice.
• The driver is to be approached for emergencies only.
• Buses are cleaned with CDC-recommended protocols.
• Plastic barriers are added to separate drivers and riders.
• Sanitation supplies are provided to employees.
• Masks, gloves and face shields are provided for drivers’ use.
• Lost and Found collection has been temporarily suspended.

The latest information on TheRide’s routes, schedules and detours is available at TheRide.org or 734-996-0400.