• Accessibility
• Advising
• Contacts
• Documentation
  Guidelines
• Information for
  Faculty & Staff
• Know Your Rights &
  Responsibilities
• Orientation
• Student Handbook
• Test Accommodations
• Textbooks
• Transportation
• Links
  • GoWMU
  • People Search

Transportation

Transportation Options for Western Michigan University

For many years, Disabled Student Resources and Services has been providing on-campus, door-to-door transportation through Metro Transit in order to help make the campus more accessible.  This service is available to people who provide documentation from appropriate professionals and can be utilized on a temporary basis or for the entire time a student with disabilities remains enrolled.  Disabled Student Resources and Services authorizes the use of the handi-van, however, each person with disabilities is responsible for all scheduling and canceling rides.

On-Campus

Basic Information: The Handi-van currently operates Monday through Thursday from 7:15 a.m. until 9:15 p.m. and on Fridays from 7:15 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. during the fall and spring semesters.  The handi-van provides transportation for the main campus and to the College of Health and Human Services campus on Oakland Drive, but does not travel to the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences Parkview campus.  There is no service for either summer session.  The service is available and free to any student, faculty, or staff member who has a permanent or temporary disability.

Certification:  Persons with disabilities and/or transportation needs must provide Disabled Student Resources and Services with appropriate documentation from a physician, surgeon or other qualified professional.  The documentation should include reference to how long the transportation accommodation will be required (ex. permanent condition or six weeks for therapy).
           

Scheduling:  Once Disabled Student Resources and Services receives the documentation, authorization to Metro Transit will be initiated.  The person with disabilities will need to call the handi-van scheduling office to arrange pick-up and drop off places and times.  Schedules of rides may be arranged for an entire semester, weekly, or daily times.  Same day scheduling is available thirty (30) minutes advanced notice, permitting there is an available van.  Rides may be cancelled without penalty by contacting the handi-van scheduling office, at 567-7500 at least thirty (30) minutes in advance of the scheduled pick-up time.
           

Rules of use:  1) Passengers will be assigned a designated pick-up and drop-off location for buildings on Western Michigan University’s campuses during the scheduling process. 2)  Drivers may be able to wait at the designated location for a maximum of five (5) minutes after the scheduled pick-up time, schedule permitting.  3)  If a passenger does not show for a ride at the designated time and place three(3) times during a single semester without having first contacted Metro Transit at least thirty (30) minutes before the scheduled pick-up time, that passenger will be suspended from riding the handi-van for one week.  Repeated failure to show for a ride may lead to permanent suspension of riding.  4)  If the handi-ven is late or does not show, call the Metro Transit scheduling office at 567-7500.  5) Drivers are not allowed to leave the van while it is in service.  6) Schedule changes/cancellations must be made by calling 567-7500.  DO NOT ask drivers to make schedule changes.
           

Fares:  Authorized persons with documented disabilities are provided ride coupons so that they may ride the handi-van free of charge.  There is a fee for all other students.

 

Off-Campus
           

Metro Transit has an agreement with Western Michigan University to provide free transportation to people with Bronco identification cards.  The community transportation busses have a primary stop by Everett Tower on the west end of main campus.  Many of the busses are handi-capped accessible, but it would be a good idea to verify or request an accessible bus prior to departure.  Community busses have routes to the Parkview campus, downtown, and several local shopping areas.  Bus routes are available on-line at www.kmetro.com.

Other transportation
          

Metro Transit also has a community van for people with disabilities who cannot use the fixed-route service.  All aspects of Metro van must be handled directly by Metro Transit.  Disabled Student Resources and Serves cannot authorize anyone to use this service.

            Care-a-van is a county wide transportation system which is available to all persons with disabilities.  There is no application process required.  Persons with disabilities must contact Care-a-van 1 day prior to the ride date.  There is a $3.35 fee each way, and rides may be scheduled between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. Monday through Friday.  Please check the Web site at www.kalamazoocity.org/portal/metro.php and click the care-a-van link found on the right side of the page.

 

 

 

Please bear with us as we update our website. If you cannot find information on the website, please feel free to e-mail Jen Lawson-Steeves with your questions.