Interurban begins Laketown bus service

Erica Shirey stepped onto the Interurban Transit Authority bus at her Laketown Township home on Thursday, May 1, 2025, and became one of the first riders for the new service to Laketown residents.

“There are so many reasons it’s a wonderful thing,” she said about the bus service now available for the entire township.

“I have lived in Laketown for 10 years, and I have been wishing for all of those years that Interurban service reached our house. I work as an associate broker with Century 21 Affiliated, and while my job as a Realtor takes me all over West Michigan, my office is in Douglas.” That was Shirey’s destination on the rainy Thursday morning.

Before getting to work, though, the bus made another stop around the corner and picked up Joel Gentry who was on his way to work at Spectators Sports Bar & Grill, 6432 Blue Star Highway.

“It’s just so easy for me. I’ll probably use it every day,” he said.

Karen Holstine drove the bus for its inaugural run to pick up township residents.

The Interurban Transit Authority, a demand-response bus service based in Saugatuck-Douglas, is on a trial run for Laketown Township from May 1 through October 31, 2025.

Costs and details

The fare for a ride during standard hours is $1 for adults and 50 cents for children, seniors and those with disabilities. Laketown is paying the Interurban $7 per ride to cover the Interurban’s expenses. The cost to Laketown Township to cover the transportation experiment is included in the budget the township unanimously approved in March.

If the trial period is a success, the township will look at permanent funding in 2026, possibly with a millage.

Supervisor and Interim Manager Steven Ringelberg pursued the service because, he said, residents want access to public transportation.

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.

Hours

Bus service hours, January through December, are Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Extended hours in June, July and August include Friday and Saturday evenings until 11 p.m. $3 fare per adult.

For more on fares and other information, visit here.

On the road

One of the earliest pickups of the first day was for students heading to school in Saugatuck, according to Becky Carten-Crandell, executive director of the Interurban Transit Authority.

Shirey understands the needs for student transportation.

“I have four kids who all attended Saugatuck-Douglas schools, the youngest of which graduated last year,” said Shirey. “I always wished that my kids could take advantage of the Interurban service as so many students in the school district do, but we were outside of the service area. I know there are families in Laketown Township with kids who attend Saugatuck-Douglas schools who will be thrilled to be able to use the Interurban.”

The bus service will help people get to work, medical appointments and social events.

“I think it’s a great thing that public transportation will not only be available to students, but also to other members of the Laketown Township population who do not drive. I’m sure my young adult kids will be grateful for the Interurban food-delivery service too,” said Shirey. “I can think of so many reasons why Interurban service to Laketown is a fabulous thing, and I am very grateful for it!”