Wheels of Transit Are Turning, with WOTA Adding Cities and Expanding Services
(Lilly Crossley, Oct. 4, 2023)
Oakland County, MI – With the recent transit millage that was passed by voters in Oakland County, Western Oakland Transportation Authority (WOTA) has been working hard in expanding their services to other areas. A recent addition has been the Holly Area, which switched their transit services from SMART to WOTA earlier this month. Prior to that several communities to the east were added, including Keego Harbor.
WOTA began in 2020 after several communities decided to combine their senior transportation programs. With their more recent additions, WOTA will serve residents in Groveland, Highland, Holly, Rose, Waterford or White Lake Townships, Keego Harbor, Lake Angelus, Orchard Lake, Sylvan Lake, Village of Holly, and Walled Lake. Service is now for adults 55 and older, as well as those with disabilities, veterans, and low income individuals.
“Our goal is to be a real service and provide people with the transportation that they need,” says Amy Grzymkowski, the marketing and deputy director of WOTA. Riders will be able to go to Novi, Pontiac, Farmington Hills, and Auburn Hills, as well as Fenton, Grand Blanc, and some areas in Flint based on need. Plans of expanding these boundaries are in development, and will hopefully set in motion by 2024.
Another expansion that will start within the coming months is the hours and days of service. Currently, services run from 9 am to 4 pm on weekdays, but will extend to 6-9 pm and weekends.
All one way rides will cost $2, no matter the distance. Riders can also purchase a punch card for $20, which holds 10 one-way tickets, as well as one free ride.
Grzymkowski added that the expansion in Holly has been going well, with one of the drivers coming over from SMART already knowing the passengers. There has already been an increase in riders from the Holly area in the past few weeks since WOTA started providing service.
“Right now we are focused on serving our current and new communities,” Grzymkowski explains, but there are some future plans for even more expansion. WOTA hopes to eventually work with North Oakland Transportation Authority (NOTA) and People’s Express (PEX) to help get riders wherever they need to go without travel boundaries.”
PEX operates south of WOTA’s area, covering South Lyon, Wixom, Milford Township, Commerce Township, Lyon Township, the Village of Milford and the Village of Wolverine Lake thanks to recent expansions. SMART has also been growing.
Learn more about WOTA and the service it provides at https://www.ridewota.org/.
