Dial-a-Ride

Overview

Public Transportation of the City of Ionia, was established in 1980. Dial-A-Ride (I-DART) is a shared ride, demand-response public transportation service. The intent of the shared ride system is for patrons to call for a ride and then share the ride with others who are grouped with them along the routes to their destinations.

Transportation affects all aspects of a person's life. Mobility affects the way we live and how effectively we can use community services and participate in community activities. I-DART operates a fleet of nine service vehicles, all nine vehicles are equipped with wheelchair lifts and comply with all related ADA Policies.

I-DART is funded through state and federal transportation programs, a millage, local and fare box revenues. Services are provided in accordance with Title VI, without discrimination based on race, color, national origin, or other prohibited basis. Read I-DART's Title VI Plan (PDF).

Passenger Tips

Note Our Peak Hours. Peak hours are the times Dial-A-Ride is the busiest picking up our customers, therefore wait times increase. Our peak hours are 7 am to 9 am and 2:30 pm to 4 pm. To minimize your wait time we recommend you schedule your rides from September to mid-June in advance or off peak hours if you can.Ionia Dial-a-Ride Bus

Plan Your Trip. Reserve your ride, if possible, one hour in advance. Let us know what time you have to be at your destination. We recommend reserving your rides 24 hours in advance if possible. Call Dial-A-Ride: 616-527-4000.

Please Be Ready. We don't want to miss you! Please be ready 15 minutes before your scheduled time call as pick-up times may vary due to cancellations.

Have Correct Fare. When boarding the bus, please have correct change. Drivers do not carry change and cannot provide credits for future rides.

Don't Be a "No Show". Please be courteous to us and other customers that share your ride. If your plans change, please call us at least 30 minutes in advance to cancel your ride. To get our customers to their destinations on time, drivers only wait approximately two minutes at each pick-up before calling a customer a "No Show".

No Show

Scheduling a ride and then not boarding the bus after the driver 1) stops, 2) waits for two minutes after arriving at the pickup location, and 3) honks several times during the two-minute waiting period.

Expectations

Cancel a scheduled ride, whether same day or reoccurring, within 30 minutes of your scheduled pickup time by calling Dispatch at 616-527-4000 option 1.

If you call for a same-day pick-up that is scheduled within the 30-minute time frame and you cancel prior to the driver being en route to the pickup, you will not be considered a no-show.

Compliance

If a rider is a no-show:

  1. 1st no-show the rider will be reminded to please notify dispatch of cancelations at least 30 minutes prior to scheduled pick up.
  2. 2nd no-show the rider will be reminded to please notify dispatch of cancelations at least 30 minutes prior to scheduled pick up.
  3. 3rd no-show the rider will be taken off the reoccurring schedule for two weeks.
  4. 5th no-show the rider will only be allowed to schedule same-day trips.
  5. 7th no show the rider will be suspended for 1 week.
  6. 8th no show the rider will be suspended for 2 weeks.
  7. Subsequent no-shows will be addressed by the Director.

Appealing No Show & Suspensions

Email Ionia Dial-A-Ride Director or contact in writing to appeal a no-show record and/or suspension. Mail appeals to: 

  • Ionia Dial-A-Ride, Attention: Director
    251 E Adams St
    Ionia, MI 48846

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