Bus service trial might be extended through January

The trial period for Interurban Transit Authority service in Laketown Township might be extended for three months though the cost for using the bus could increase on Oct. 1, 2025.

The Laketown Township Board of Trustees agreed on Wednesday, Sept. 10, to extend the trial period from its original end on Oct. 31 to Jan. 31, 2026, to continue gathering data on bus use. The extension is subject to the agreement of the board of the Interurban Transit Authority.

To minimize the cost to the township, the board decided to raise the rates individuals pay. Until Sept. 30, adult riders pay $1 and children, senior citizens and disabled riders pay 50 cents. The township is then billed $7 for each pick up or departure in the township.

Starting Oct. 1, adults will pay $4 and children, senior citizens and disabled riders will pay $2. The township’s share then drops to $4 for each pick up and departure in the township.  The fare changes and Laketown’s share are subject to the agreement of the Interurban Transit Authority.

Board members did not want to stop the service but felt users should pay more so the taxpayers did not have to subsidize the rides.

In March, the board approved spending $21,000 for the trial period from May 1 to Oct. 31. The service has been so popular that the budget was surpassed this month. Supervisor Steven Ringelberg asked the board on Sept. 10 to add another $10,000 to finish the agreed-upon 6-month trial period.

The board instead voted to add up to $26,000 to run the service with the modified fares through Jan. 31, bringing the total budgeted amount to $46,000, more than double the original amount of $21,000.

Since the trial began in May, the Interurban has handled a total from Laketown Township of 2,857 riders, according to Becky Carten-Crandell, executive director of the Interurban Transit Authority. Of that, 659 were children, 1,685 were adults, 430 were senior citizens, and 83 individuals reported disabilities.

About the service

People who want a ride call (269) 857-1418 and set a time for a bus to pick them up at their location and then take them to another spot in Laketown Township, Saugatuck Township, the cities of Douglas, Saugatuck or Fennville and the wineries in Ganges Township.

The Interurban also provides prescription delivery services from Saugatuck Drug Store, 201 Butler St., for $2 and food delivery services from many Saugatuck-Douglas restaurants for a $3 charge.

Regular bus service hours are Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

For more on costs and other information, visit https://www.saugatuckinterurban.org/