WAVE & WCHD providing Manchester residents free rides to get the COVID vaccine
The Western-Washtenaw Area Value Express (WAVE), the organization that operates the two-day a-week shuttle bus between Manchester and Chelsea, recently announced that it is coordinating with the Washtenaw County Health Department in transporting individuals to the COVID vaccine site at Pierce Lake Elementary School in Chelsea. Service began Tuesday, April 13. Anyone, including Manchester residents, with a scheduled appointment at the Washtenaw County Health Department’s vaccine site may use the services. Transportation is provided at no cost to each rider, with fares paid for using federal Coronavirus Aid Relief and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) funding.
“This is another key step in increasing access to COVID-19 vaccination. Pierce Lake Elementary is our western Washtenaw mass vaccination site, and we’re grateful to the WAVE for working with us to provide trips fare-free to riders,” Jimena Loveluck, MSW, health officer of the Washtenaw County Health Department said. “Everyone 16 and older is now eligible for vaccination, and we encourage all to get vaccinated at their earliest opportunity.”
Door-to-door transportation services are available for individuals who have made an appointment to get a COVID-19 vaccine at the Pierce Lake Elementary School. Services will begin operation on Tuesdays from 8:00 am – 4:15 pm. Passengers are required to wear a mask when waiting for and riding public transit.
Visit the Health Department website at www.washtenaw.org/covid19vaccine to make a vaccination appointment for residents and workers in Washtenaw County. For anyone who cannot check online for appointments, phone or email assistance is available (734-544-6700 or L-wchdcontact@washtenaw.org). Please reserve this capacity for individuals unable to schedule themselves online.
Demand for vaccine appointments is still greater than supply, and appointments will not be immediately available for everyone now eligible. New appointments are added weekly on Fridays around 10 pm and Mondays around 9 am. If there are no appointments available, please check back. Because supplies are confirmed weekly, scheduling is not available for more than 3 weeks ahead. Anyone under 16 or older can be vaccinated but those under 18 years old must be accompanied by a parent or guardian when getting vaccinated.
Once you have an appointment to get the vaccine, make a reservation for a ride by calling (734) 475-9494, or online at feonixride.aarp.org or using the Feonix app. Advance booking 24-hours before appointment times are recommended. Same-day reservations are available on a first-come-first-served basis. Shuttles drop off and pick up using the COVID-19 Vaccine Center entry and exit doors. Vehicles are limited up to 4 household pairs of people per bus and up to 2 individuals per van. When making your reservation, mention that you are traveling to the Pierce Lake Elementary School for your vaccine. Will-Call return trips arranged when making a reservation are honored.
To reduce the spread of COVID-19, WAVE has put into place a number of preventive measures and restrictions to keep both riders and drivers safe. Customers are required to wear a face covering, per federal law. The driver is to be approached for emergencies only. Buses are cleaned with CDC recommended protocols. Social distancing signs are posted in buses. Fewer passengers are allowed on each bus. Plastic plexiglass barriers have been added to separate drivers and riders. Sanitation supplies are provided to employees. Masks, gloves and face shields are provided for drivers' use. Lost and found collection has been temporarily suspended.
Information on the WAVE Manchester-Chelsea route and Tuesday/Thursday schedule is available at RideTheWaveBus.org or by calling (734) 475-9494.
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