Questions: Answers

MAX serves the greater Holland/Zeeland area.  Our "service area" is defined by the local jurisdictional boundaries of the City of Holland, City of Zeeland, and Holland Charter Township who belong to the MAX Transportation Authority. 

Our eight fixed bus routes arrive hourly at more than 300 bus stops located near most hotels and conference centers, malls, retail and grocery centers, medical complexes, industrial manufacturing areas, and residential neighborhoods.

We do not provide bus service to Park and Laketown Townships as they do not belong to the Authority. If the MAX does not provide service to your local jurisdiction and you want bus service, you need to contact your local elected officials to express your desire for MAX service.  We also do not provide intercity service to outlying areas, such as Grand Haven, Grand Rapids, Allendale or Jenison. 

For more detailed information, visit the Routes & Schedules page or call Customer Service at (616) 355-1010.

How much does a ride cost?

One way fares for the fixed routes are $1 for adults, and 50 cents for children 5-17 years. Seniors 65 and older, and ADA and Medicare cardholders ride for free!

Do I need exact change to ride MAX?

Yes. MAX drivers cannot make change, so it is very important you pay the correct fare.  Once money is deposited into the locked farebox, it cannot be retrieved or refunded. Bills or coins are accepted.  We suggest frequent passengers purchase a bus pass, which is an economical and convenient way to pay for fares.  Beginning July 2011, MAX is offering a new $2 Daily Pass that is good for unlimited rides on the fixed bus routes for one full day. This is a great savings!

How do I qualify for an ADA Card?

Persons with cognitive or physical disabilities who may have difficulty using or accessing the fixed routes may be eligible for an ADA card, which entitles them to reduced fares and priority service. Passengers must first undergo a free assessment to become ADA eligible, and upon approval are issued a photo ID card. This ADA Photo ID card must be shown to the driver upon boarding the bus, or the passenger will need to pay the full fare.    One-way fares for ADA passengers are $2 on the Reserve-A-MAX and free on the fixed routes.

Can my children ride MAX to school?

Yes! All Holland Public and West Ottawa Public schools and Holland and Zeeland Christian schools  within the MAX service area are located near a fixed bus route. MAX intentionally planned its routes so that they would be close to schools.

 Many charter and public school students in both elementary and secondary schools ride MAX daily to and from school. The buses are clean, safe and reliable, and drivers are happy to assist younger passengers. MAX also offers a Student Semester Bus Pass for $50 that is good for unlimited rides on the fixed route for one semester (September-December or January-June).

(Note that West Ottawa High School is not located near a fixed route because the school is located in Park Township, which does not participate in MAX and is not in our service area. Those who wish to request bus service to the high school or Park Township should contact their local local township officials.)

Can I transfer between buses? How do I transfer?

Yes, you can transfer between the routes at the Padnos Center every hour, or you can transfer anywhere along the route if there is another route nearby. The updated Master Schedule and individual route schedules (July 2011) show nearby routes in gray on the maps to easily identify bus stops where you could transfer without having to go to the transfer center.   If you need a transfer, please ask the driver when you board. Transfers are free, but must be used within one (1) hour from the time issued.

Where do I board MAX buses?

MAX stops to pick up or drop off passengers only at designated bus stop signs. MAX's 300+ bus stops are located at convenient intervals along the routes. Some of the most used bus stops have time stickers on the bus stop signs that indicate when the bus will arrive at the stop each hour. Passenger shelters and benches are located at some of the major bus stops. You can also board at the Padnos Transportation Center, which serves as MAX's transfer center. Buses dwell at the Padnos Center 10 minutes before the top of hour, and depart at the top of the hour.

What if I get lost or accidentally take the wrong bus?

If you are on a bus, tell the bus driver where you are trying to go and he/she will give you instructions. All routes originate at the Padnos Transportation Center, and you can easily transfer to the correct route at this location.

Can I bring my bike on the bus?

Of course! All MAX buses are equipped with bicycle racks that can accommodate two bicycles. The racks are simple to operate, and bikes ride free. Simply pull down the rack by the handle, mount your bike in the rack, and pull down the lever to secure and lock the bike in place. If you're the first to use the bike rack, please place your bike in the inside rack. Ask the driver for help if you need assistance.

Can I take my pet on the bus?

Yes. Small animals are allowed to ride with you on the bus if they are secured in a pet carrier. Pets ride for free. Service dogs for persons with disabilities also are welcome aboard and are not required to be in a pet carrier.

Can I ride MAX if I am in a wheelchair?

Absolutely. All MAX buses are wheelchair accessible and easy to board. Some buses have wheelchair lifts to bring you aboard, and others are low floor buses with a ramp for wheelchair and passenger access. You do not have to climb steps to board these buses. Note there are weight and size limitations for occupied wheelchairs and yours must meet the definition for a "common wheelchair" and be fully functional.  Wheelchairs cannot exceed 30" in width, 48" in length and 600 lbs when occupied.  

Caregivers for ADA certified passengers also ride free. MAX also provides door-to-door service to assist eligible individuals whose disabilities prevent them from riding the regular route buses. Please note, however, that MAX cannot provide any medical attention or service for persons with injuries or those who need monitoring or medications dispensed.  Those with open wounds or exposed bodily fluids will not be allowed to board as this presents a potential biohazard to passengers and staff.

All passengers must be well enough to use ride the bus without assistance from the driver in order to board.  If medical attention is needed enroute, persons should arrange for ambu-cab services.  

Can I use Reserve-A-MAX services?

Passengers can use our demand response Reserve-A-MAX service if they meet one of three conditions:

•  if their origin and/or destination are farther than 1/2 mile from a bus stop
• if they are 70 years or older, or
• if they are ADA eligible with a current ADA Photo ID.  

All other able-bodied persons aged 5-69 must use the fixed routes if their origins and destinations are within 1/2 mile of a bus stop.

Why don't all your bus stops have sidewalks, benches and shelters?

These are certainly attractive amenities, but they are not always possible.  Sidewalk placement is not determined by MAX but by local planners. Regardless of whether there is a walkway or not, many passengers still need access to a bus stop in certain locations and so we place bus stops according to passenger need. 

Benches and shelters are placed at only the most frequently used bus stops for a few reasons. They are very costly (a shelter can cost $6,000 or more), must be cleaned and maintained,  and may not be placed on private property if the owner objects.  MAX works with private property owners and transportation planners to try and allow for sidewalks, benches and shelters.

Is MAX a for-profit, private company?

No. MAX is a publicly operated transit system. It began as the City of Holland's "Dial-A-Ride" program in the 1970s and began offering three fixed routes in 2000. In 2007, the MAX Transportation Authority was formed and assumed operations of the transit system. MAX is supported through local, state and federal funding, service agreements with local municipalities, and fare revenues.

MAX's revenue is a combination of local, state and federal funds. The federal funds MAX receives generally do not pay for operating expenses, such as wages, fuel, insurance, repair parts and office supplies. Operating expenses are primarily paid for by passenger fares, local revenue generated by a transit millage levied in the City of Holland and Holland Charter Township, and Michigan state operating assistance.

Why does it seem like so many MAX buses are running empty?

Ridership varies greatly depending on many factors, such as the service area, time of day, day of the week, time of year and even the direction the bus is traveling. MAX's system is designed to meet peak demand, just like transportation systems everywhere--including highways and roads. Buses tend to have more passengers during "peak" morning and afternoon rush hours when people are going to and from work, school and appointments, and at the beginning and ending of routes when buses dwell at the Padnos Center for transfers. Mid-day travel is lighter.

Consider a six lane highway that has little traffic at 3 a.m. in the morning, yet has bumper to bumper traffic during morning rush hour. To best serve the public, MAX needs to have sufficient capacity during peak times, and offer consistent, dependable transportation even during "off" or non-peak hours of travel.

MAX ridership has experienced double-digit growth in recent years and is expected to top 352,000 rides in 2011.

Why doesn't MAX use smaller buses?

MAX uses a mix of larger and smaller commercial buses to transport passengers in the most efficient and cost-effective manner possible. Generally, the larger buses operate on the fixed routes to ensure adequate space and capacity for peak travel times, and the smaller paratransit vans are used primarily for demand response service, where only a couple passengers may be aboard. In must cases, substituting smaller buses during non-peak hours would not be practical nor would it save money. In the end, the cost savings of substituting smaller vehicles is offset by lost schedule time, additional manpower, and an overall increase in operating expenses.

How is MAX funded?

MAX's operations are funded by a combination of state, federal and local (from a transit millage) funds, as well as fares paid by passengers. The local transit millage of .4 mills was approved by voters in May 2011, and provides about 7% of all operating revenue for MAX. This revenue funds operational costs, such as employee wages, fuel, insurance, maintenance, gas/oil and supplies.

 Revenue sources are as follows:

• Farebox revenue - 7%
• Local Funds (millage) - 25%
• State Funds - 36%
• Federal Funds - 32%

Additionally, MAX also receives federal and state grants to pay for capital purchases, such as buses, computers, furniture, buildings and other capital items. Most capital purchases for buses, facilities, and equipment are paid for with 80 percent coming from federal funding and 20 percent from state funding. All MAX fleet buses were purchased with federal and state funds, and in 2010 MAX received $1.6 million in economic stimulus money to purchase 4 new floor floor buses to replace buses that were nearing the end of their useful life.  MAX must comply with applicable federal and state regulations to be eligible to receive funding.

MAX is audited annually, and those audits are available for public review on this website. Auditors have consistently found MAX to be in compliance with auditor requirements and regulations. Additional oversight comes from MAX's Authority Board, which reviews financial statements.

How does MAX help our local economy?

Most people don't realize that while local residents and businesses pay taxes to support the transit system, the transit system also generates revenue for the local economy. People generally ride transit to either spend money or make money. They are either going places to buy things or services, or are going to work to earn money.

According to the American Public Transportation Association, every $1 invested in public transit generates $6 in economic returns to the local community, and every $1 invested in transit generates $3 in new sales. This calculation means that MAX's $3.3 million operating budget contributes roughly $19 million to the local economy and almost $10 million in new sales.

Transit systems provide jobs for their employees, who in turn buy homes, pay taxes, and spend their dollars locally. Transit systems also are viewed by amenities that attract homeowners and businesses to a community.

How does MAX impact the environment?

All public transit systems helps reduce traffic and congestion, fuel usage and vehicle emissions. MAX promotes and encourages the use of public transit by offering free fixed route rides on Clean Air Action Days, Earth Day and all designated election days in Michigan. We also offer convenient Park-and-Ride lots along our fixed routes to encourage people to ride the bus during special events or festivals that can create parking and congestion problems.  MAX has shifted from a focus on printed newsletters to passengers and annual reports to electronic online communications.  Of the materials we do print, all are printed on a minimum of 30% post recycled paper and our outdated schedules are collected and recycled.

 

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