University of Michigan football returns to the Big House on Saturday, and with it, so does FootballRide.
An Ann Arbor tradition since the early '80s, the seasonal shuttle service operated by TheRide runs between convenient hotel and parking sites and Michigan Stadium on home-game Saturdays. Close to 30,000 people take advantage of the service each football season, according to Don Kline, spokesman for the Ann Arbor Area Transportation Authority.
"Football home-game Saturdays are very busy, but it’s a wonderful time to soak in all that Ann Arbor has to offer, whether you’re a visitor or a resident," Kline says.
In addition to offering FootballRide, Kline says TheRide has expanded and improved local fixed-route service that can help people get around town without the stress of traffic and parking.
There are no route or location changes this year for FootballRide. Fans can take advantage of one of five, easy-to-navigate color-coded routes – North, South, East, West, and Downtown – each stopping at several locations listed on the FootballRide website.
Visitors to TheRide website this week will also notice a refreshed look, featuring a dashboard for planning trips, tracking buses, and customizing route schedules. Kline says the new tools are more reliable, accessible, and mobile-responsive.
"We’re implementing rolling improvements based on the valuable rider feedback we’ve received and continue to receive," Kline says. "This next group of improvements happens to be the most substantial in quite some time, so it definitely offers both a fresh look and improved functionality that will make riding our buses easier and more convenient."
Photo by Doug Coombe.
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