Heads Up, Ann Arbor! TheRide Adjusts Holiday Schedule for Christmas & New Year's

Heads up, Ann Arbor and surrounding communities! If you rely on TheRide for getting around, especially as the festive season approaches, you’ll want to mark your calendars and pay close attention. The Ann Arbor Area Transportation Authority (AAATA), affectionately known as TheRide, has just released its adjusted service schedule for the upcoming Christmas and New Year's holidays. It’s a familiar tune, really, as public transit often alters its rhythm during these special times, but it’s super important to know the specifics so your holiday plans don’t hit any unexpected bumps.

Let's dive right into the Christmas details, shall we? On Tuesday, December 24th, which is Christmas Eve, TheRide will be running on a Sunday/Holiday schedule. So, expect fewer buses and potentially longer waits – definitely not the day for last-minute dash to the shops if you can avoid it! Then, on Wednesday, December 25th, Christmas Day itself, all TheRide services will be taking a well-deserved break. That's right, no bus service at all. It's a day for drivers and staff to enjoy with their loved ones, much like many of us. Regular service, thankfully, will pick right back up on Thursday, December 26th.

Now, as we swing into the New Year, the pattern is quite similar. Tuesday, December 31st, New Year's Eve, will also see TheRide operating on that same Sunday/Holiday schedule. If you’re planning a celebratory evening out, please, please factor in those reduced services for your return trip! And then, mirroring Christmas Day, Wednesday, January 1st, New Year's Day, will once again be a complete service holiday. No buses will be running. Just like after Christmas, regular service is set to resume bright and early on Thursday, January 2nd.

It’s worth noting that while many routes are affected, some specialized services maintain their regular schedule. For instance, commuter routes (the 60-series routes like 60, 61, 62, and 63), along with the express routes (42 and 46), will not be running on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve, or New Year’s Day. However, the A-Link service, designed to connect different areas, will continue its regular service throughout the entire holiday period. That’s a small silver lining for some, I suppose! Do remember that on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day, even if you’re hoping for a ride, every single one of TheRide's fixed-route, express, and commuter services will be paused.

So, what's the takeaway from all this? In a nutshell: plan, plan, plan! Reduced holiday service is standard practice for many public transportation agencies, allowing their dedicated staff some downtime during these important holidays. If you’re going to be out and about, especially during the evenings of Christmas Eve or New Year’s Eve, or if you simply need to get somewhere on Christmas Day or New Year’s Day, please make alternative arrangements well in advance. And as always, for the most precise, up-to-the-minute information and to double-check any specific route timings, your very best bet is to visit TheRide's official website at TheRide.org. Don’t get caught out in the cold – happy holidays, and travel safe!