After voters approved a transportation millage in 2024, Ride Calhoun is expanding fixed-route, paratransit and on-demand service across the county.
By: Lucy Hough / For Black Squirrel News
BATTLE CREEK — Ride Calhoun is the operating name of the Transportation Authority of Calhoun County.
TACC was created after voters in each Calhoun County city — Albion, Battle Creek, Marshall and Springfield — approved the creation of a transportation authority in November 2024.
“Voters gave us the green light to build this system, and that is exactly what we are doing. Transportation is more than just buses — it’s access, participation and independence. Every day, we carry people to work, doctor appointments, school, shopping and recreation,” said Mallory Avis, executive director of Ride Calhoun.
Since the vote, rigorous work has begun to establish the authority as an independent government entity.
Ride Calhoun offers and continues to expand three distinct services:
- Fixed-Route Bus or RC MAX: Ride Calhoun offers nine routes throughout Battle Creek, matching the service previously under BC Transit. Cost is $1.75 regular fare for one way and one free transfer, and a reduced fare is available for seniors older than 60 years old, people with a Medicare card, individuals with a disability and others who received a Reduced Fare ID card.
- Paratransit or RC MOVE: This service is a door-to-door transportation service for ADA-certified residents in Battle Creek and Springfield. Reservations can be made a day or more ahead of the needed ride by calling 269-966-3474. Passes are available for 10 or 20 rides; fares for this service are $3 per ride.
- On Demand or RC FLEX: People can use an app or call dispatch to schedule a ride to get picked up and go where they need to go, within the service area. This service operates as a ride-share service, such as Uber or Lyft. Rides are primarily served by a fleet of mini-vans, and fares depend on distance. Hours of operation at this time are 5 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.
What’s next for Ride Calhoun?
Currently the Transportation Authority is awaiting the arrival of additional vehicles.
Four new vehicles for RC FLEX and three buses for RC MAX were ordered, which can take six to 18 months for delivery. The authority is hiring drivers, mechanics, dispatchers and supervisors to prepare for the arrival of the additional vehicles.
Once those vehicles arrive, Ride Calhoun intends to extend RC FLEX services to midnight, Monday through Saturday.
A new fare structure will be adopted at the next board meeting, which takes place April 8. This will create a single, unified fare structure for RC FLEX. Currently fares are based on miles of a trip. The new fare structure sets a single price to get to or from Calhoun County cities, with reduced options for specific populations.
The team at Ride Calhoun is also preparing to separate entirely from the help of the cities of Battle Creek and Marshall, starting July 1. Since Ride Calhoun began operating on Oct. 1, 2025, it has leaned on the public transportation infrastructure of the local governments of Battle Creek and Marshall.
July 1 marks the start of operating independently of the local governments for services such as human resources and information technology.
What is the service area and why?
Currently Ride Calhoun’s services cover the cities in Calhoun County — Albion, Battle Creek, Marshall and Springfield — and none of the townships.
In early 2024, municipalities in Calhoun County could opt into the authority and put the decision up to voters. All townships or villages in Calhoun County opted out of having their residents vote or have access to Ride Calhoun services.
“While our service boundaries are restricted to those cities that participate in the Authority, our services are open to the public. Any individual can use the services within the service boundaries, including those who don’t live in the participating cities,” Avis said.
Residents outside of the cities who wish to have regular access to Ride Calhoun in their communities should speak with their elected officials.
One common comment is that riders wish to have access to Walmart and Meijer in Emmett Township. Avis says that although those destinations are outside of the service area, they are key locations for shopping, employment and healthcare needs and Ride Calhoun intends to continue to serve them.
How is the Transportation Authority of Calhoun County and Ride Calhoun governed?
As an independent government entity, Ride Calhoun is governed by a seven-person Board of Directors, and each Director is recommended for appointment by their participating jurisdiction. There is also regulation oversight by the Federal Transit Administration and Michigan Department of Transportation. The authority’s finances and operations are audited by multiple agencies.
Who is affected?
After the approved millage vote at 2.66 mills, property owners in Calhoun County pay approximately $2.66 per $1,000 of taxable value toward the millage in their property taxes. Those taxes showed up in people’s property taxes in 2025.
Residents will continue to see the gradual growth of the transit authority in the years ahead, with the independence of the authority and arrival of additional vehicles.
Avis acknowledged that some people who currently use BC Transit services, such as BC Go, in townships surrounding the cities will lose access as the new Authority becomes fully independent in the upcoming months. Those individuals can reach out to the Ride Calhoun Mobility Manager to identify other avenues for transportation.
Ultimately the services of Ride Calhoun are available to everyone for whatever transportation needs they have within the cities of Calhoun County.
Where to get updates?
Information about Ride Calhoun services, routes, fares, reduced rates and other rider policies can be found on its website, ridecalhoun.org.
Ride Calhoun’s Facebook page includes regular updates about route changes or detours, additional services and more: facebook.com/ridecalhoun.
How we reported this: This article is based on an interview with TACC Executive Director Mallory Avis, the website for Ride Calhoun, its latest posts on Facebook and official County Clerk’s information about the millage vote.
Photo by Lucy Hough
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