Programs & Services

In addition to operating fixed bus route service, MAX also offers demand response (reserved) ride service for qualifying passengers, as well as free ADA assessments and travel training. Below is additional information on these services.

Reserve-A-Max

MAX offers reserved ride service with advance reservations. Reservations must be made by 4 p.m. the day prior to travel. ADA cardholders and seniors 70 years and older will be given first priority for ride service. Reserved rides to Zeeland are served by the deviated fixed Route 8. MAX travels to all destinations within our service area (See yellow shaded service area as shown on composite route map).

Reserve-A-MAX service is available only to:

Passengers whose origins and/or destinations are farther than one-half (1/2) mile of a fixed bus stop.
Seniors 70 years and older.
ADA Cardholders.
Reserved ride service is not available to able-bodied persons aged 5-69 who are within 1/2 mile of a bus stop.

Nite Owl Service

Passengers can reserve an evening ride after the fixed bus routes stop running at 7 p.m. The Nite Owl service is available Monday - Saturday from 7 p.m. to 12 midnight. Reservations are required by 4 p.m. at least one day in advance of the day of travel. Reservations are limited so passengers are encouraged to call as far in advance as possible to schedule an evening ride. This service is curb-to-curb, meaning the bus will pick you up at your place of origin and take you to your destination. If you need a return trip home that evening, schedule the return trip when you make your reservation. Adult fares are $5 one-way. Discounts are available for seniors over 70 years, ADA-eligible passengers and children 5 - 17 years.

Making Reservations

Hablamos español MAX Customer Service is able to accommodate both English and Spanish-speaking callers.

To reserve a ride, call (616) 355-1010 before 4 p.m. the day before travel, and have the following information ready to give to Customer Service:

Your name and address
Your destination
Requested date and time of pickup and return rides
Whether you need door-to-door assistance
Whether you need a wheelchair lift

When the bus arrives, the driver will sound the horn once and will wait five minutes for you to board. Drivers will not leave the vehicle unless you have requested door-to-door service. Drivers are prohibited from entering your residence or workplace.

Reserve-A-MAX service is in high demand in the Holland-Zeeland area. Daily ridership demand is always heaviest between the time windows of 6:00-8:30 am and 2:00-4:30 pm. To better serve you, please try to schedule your trips outside these timeframes if at all possible.

Cancelling Reserve-A-MAX Reservations / No-Show Policy / Late Cancel Policy

If you no longer need a ride, please be courteous and cancel your reservation by calling MAX customer service at 355-1010. Cancellations must be made at least 30 minutes before your scheduled pickup time to prevent a No-Show infraction from being issued, and at least 2 hours or more before your scheduled pickup time to prevent a Late Cancel infraction.

If a passenger fails to show for their pickup ride, a No-Show infraction is issued; in addition--for Non-ADA passengers--any return trip scheduled for that day will be automatically cancelled. You will be notified in writing of each No-Show infraction. In cases of personal emergency (an occurrence demonstrated to be beyond the client's control) a No-Show will be waived. It is the passenger's responsibility to contact MAX Transit to offer any explanation of a No-Show.

Riders accumulating an excessive pattern of No Show or Late Cancel infractions within a rolling 30-day period can be suspended from using Reserve-A-MAX services for up to 30 days. Non-ADA passengers also must pay for the fares of all missed rides before they will be allowed to use Reserve-A-MAX service again. For further details regarding the No-Show policy on Reserve-A-MAX, please click the attached link below, or call MAX at 355-1010.

download related info

ADA Assessments

Those wishing to become ADA certified to qualify for reduced fares or priority service may schedule an assessment by calling (616) 355-1010. To view our new ADA Guide, click on the link below to open a pdf file.

Download 2012 ADA Passenger Guide

Special Bus Features

Our modern fleet of commercial vehicles is equipped for optimum passenger safety and comfort. You'll find our vehicles are clean, tidy, and graffiti free. If you notice something on the bus needs attention, please alert the driver. Among the amenities on our buses include:

Easily readable LED route signs
Wheelchair lifts and securements
Padded and upholstered seats
Safety belts (on some buses)
Front-mounted bike racks (holds 2 bikes per bus)
Tinted glass for glare reduction
Chime cords to alert the driver for deboarding
Literature racks with bus schedules

Rider's Guide to Using the Fixed Bus Routes

MAX Transit has prepared the publication Rider's Guide to Using the Fixed Bus Routes for those people unfamiliar with using the transit system. This guide explains how to plan trips, ride routes, and transfer on the road or at the Padnos Center. It also includes safety tips, customer courtesy rules, and examples of trip scenarios. Click here to view a PDF version of the guide, or stop by the Padnos Center for a printed copy.

Travel Training

Travel training is offered free of charge to those with special developmental or physical needs who would like to learn how to use the transit system. The one-on-one training covers learning how to read bus schedules, route planning, paying fares, safety tips and taking bus trips accompanied by the trainer. To schedule travel training, call (616) 355-1010.

Bus Buddies Program

MAX also offers a new Bus Buddies Program for non-ADA passengers. New passengers who would like to learn how to ride the fixed bus routes are assigned to an experienced bus passenger or an Authority employee, who will ride with them to explain the routes, how to read bus schedules, plan trips and make transfers. This program is free.