BATTLE CREEK, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — The City of Battle Creek is preparing to launch a transit program that will take riders county-wide.
The pilot program, known as “BCGo,” will allow residents to schedule a ride with as little as 30 minutes notice across the county. The program is set to launch on Monday, March 8.
“We’re excited to come together as local transportation agencies to offer this innovative, on-demand option,” Battle Creek Transit’s Mobility Manager Kristy Grestini said in a statement. “This collaboration allows us to better meet the needs of Calhoun County, expanding access to education, employment, health care, and social activities.”
Starting this Friday, riders can download the BCGo Calhoun County app on Google Play or the Apple Store. Users can request an on-demand trip anywhere in Calhoun County, and the app will provide current trip information, including vehicle location and estimated arrival time.
Riders can schedule trips up to two weeks in advance.
Anyone without access to the app can call Transit at 269-966-3474, and tell the dispatcher they want to book a ride on BCGo.
Other details provided by Battle Creek Transit are as follows:
- Service hours are 6 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday.
- Fares are $3 to $15, depending on the distance riders travel. They can pay through the app, or with exact change on the vehicle.
- Children must be at least 8 years old, and not require use of a car seat or booster seat, to ride with an adult. Children must be at least 13 to ride independently.
- All vehicles are wheelchair accessible and can store mobility aids.
- Not all vehicles providing this service will show the BCGo name and branding, because multiple agencies are collaborating to provide rides.
- This is a shared-ride service, so the app will match multiple passengers heading in the same direction. Please note seating will be limited due to COVID-19 restrictions. All riders must wear a face mask covering their mouth and nose.
Calhoun County Coordinated Mobility Pilot Fare Structure
| Miles of trip | Fare |
| Less than 6 miles | $3 |
| 6-10 miles | $5 |
| 11-15 miles | $7 |
| 16-20 miles | $10 |
| More than 20 miles | $15 |
| Additional passenger(s) | $3 each |
A Michigan Department of Transportation Service Initiatives grant funded the Calhoun County Coordinated Mobility Pilot. Staff expect the pilot to last 12 months.
Battle Creek Transit and Community Action will provide the rides, and the pilot will demonstrate how well it works across Calhoun County to coordinate public transportation using a centralized, on-demand platform.
Liftango, a global shared transportation company, built the app for this pilot, one of their first in the United States.
“This pilot gives us the opportunity to collect real data that will play a key role in how we transform transportation in our communities,” Grestini added.
Find more information at battlecreekmi.gov/transit. Scroll to Transit Spotlight to find the BCGo link.
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